mark community's generosity in 2015
Owen Sound – It was an extremely busy year for Community Foundation Grey Bruce — 23 new endowment funds were created and grants of more than $600,000 dollars were distributed. Board Chair Kimberley West says, "Over the past year, we have seen very inspiring growth in our philanthropic community, which will allow us to have even greater impact for generations to come."
The largest area of growth was in the area of education. Nine new funds were opened in 2015 to address a variety of community needs. The Canadian Federation of University Women (Owen Sound & Area), Georgian Sound Big Band, Grey Bruce Home Builders & Trades Association, Grey County District Women's Institute, Owen Sound Farmer's Market, Saugeen Cottagers Association, Larry and Darlene Miller, Catherine Statton and Foundation Chairperson Kimberley J. West all began endowments to produce student awards or annual grants to benefit post-secondary education and regional literacy. Awards for women, aboriginal students, studies in the trades, healthcare and agriculture were the primary focus of the new funds. These additions contributed greatly to the Foundation's goal of adding nearly one million dollars to its education fund by the end of 2016 as a part of its Smart & Caring Education Initiative.
Endowments created to benefit healthcare were also extremely active in 2015. The Baker St. Women's Club, Grey Bruce Healthcare Chaplaincy and the family of the late Jill Porter all created funds to benefit the physical and spiritual health of the patients and families served by Grey Bruce Health Services and the Grey Bruce Residential Hospice.
Local arts and culture received a boost from the creation of the Rebecca Eaton Music Bursary Fund and the Leith Summer Festival Endowment Fund, both of which will provide perpetual resources to support the creation of local music and the enhancement of musical education opportunities in the region.
The needs of seniors, children and the environment were also remembered in 2015. Four new funds were started by Our Kids Bruce Grey to assist with youth recreation, winter warmth initiatives, educational supports and emerging needs. The Huron Feathers Day Camp Endowed Fund will help children flourish. The Patricia Morris Senior to Senior Endowment Fund was created to help seniors experiencing financial crisis, a growing need in the community. And the Bob & Marie Knapp Family Endowment Fund will help ensure that families and visitors can continue to enjoy the beautiful Hibou Conservation area.
The Municipality of Kincardine began a new Community Fund in 2015 to support the diverse needs of its people, and the Apple Harvest Craft Show Board of Directors began a legacy fund to provide ongoing sustainability for projects and programs in the Municipality of Meaford.
Community Foundation Grey Bruce is a public charity and grant-making organization serving charities and not-for-profit organizations in Grey and Bruce Counties. The Foundation generates long-term sustainable resources through pooled donations that create permanent endowed funds. The earned revenue from the professionally managed funds is granted to qualified not-for-profit organizations in Grey Bruce, supporting the widest range of initiatives possible through community giving.
