Qualicum Beach BC
V9K 1K7
Phone: (250) 752-7202
Fax: (250)752-7246
What is a Community Foundation?
A community foundation is an innovative type of charitable organization that is becoming an important factor in changing the quality of life in communities across Canada. Community foundations are predicated on the concept of helping people 'invest' their philanthropic dollar, and not simply 'giving money away'. It provides a unique opportunity for those who wish to support a community they value, and leave a legacy for the future.
A community foundation is not dedicated to one specific charity, but provides funds to registered charities in the community for projects that enhance the quality of community life. It is flexible and can adapt to changes in the future. It assures donors that, decades from now, the original spirit and intent of their gift will continue to be honored.
The first Canadian Community Foundation was established in 1929. Today, Canada's more than 116 community foundations hold combined assets of over 1.4 billion. They made over $70 million in grants in 2000 to support local priorities across the country.
Your donation is never spent. It is pooled with other donations, which are invested, and the earnings are used to support community initiatives and projects.
Your donations become community assets in perpetuity.
Fast Facts
Who are we?
The Parksville – Qualicum Community Foundation (PQCF) is a non-profit, tax-exempt public Foundation established in 1999 and governed by an independent, voluntary Board of Directors broadly representative of the communities that we serve.
What is our mission?
To improve the quality of life in our communities through grants for charitable activities from earnings of funds invested in perpetuity.
What do we do with the money donated?
All the funds under the stewardship of the PQCF are held in perpetuity – only the income is distributed to meet the donors’ charitable objectives. The Vancouver Foundation manages our funds along with many other charitable foundations.
How well are we investing the money donated?
Maximizing the annual rates of return on our investments is important to the Vancouver Foundation. However, as guardians of some very special gifts – the generous donations of people like you – we must balance the need for achieving the highest rates and risk taking, with the desire to protect the integrity of the funds given to us. In 2005 and 2006, our annual rates of return were 10.6 % and 12.1% respectively. Historically, over the past ten years, our rates have averaged over 6% per annum.
How does PQCF benefit the community?
PQCF is committed to:
Pool the charitable gifts of many donors into permanent, income-earning endowment funds for perpetuity
Initiate desirable public projects
Make grants supporting health, education, social services, arts, culture, heritage and the environment
Provide leadership to the community by bringing people together to identify and address community issues.
Who gets the money and how is it paid out?
Local charities are invited to apply for funding each year. Grants are awarded annually in March and those in receipt of grants join us in May each year to celebrate with the community and share how they have used the money.
Some projects funded by the Community Fund include:
- Days camps for children to learn about wildlife
- Beautification of the Parksville Train Station
- Re-development of gardens for Eagle Park Health Care
- Computers for adults with developmental disabilities
- Therapeutic program for adults with mental health issues
- Errington War Memorial Association to replace worn chairs
- Shelter for abandoned horses
- Care for abandoned and abused animals at the SPCA
What are the Funds to which you can donate?
The Community Fund – our primary, general fund that benefits the whole community
Other Community Funds:
- Youth in Philanthropy
- Skipsey Family Administration Fund
Scholarship Funds
- Bill Dwyer Scholarship Fund
- Donn Larson Memorial Vocational Bursary Fund
- Destiny Developments Scholarship Fund
- Peggy Cromer Arts Bursary Fund
- Qualicum Beach Chamber of Commerce – Jim Storey Memorial Fund
Donor Advised Funds
- ELM Family Charity
- District 69 Family Resource Association
- Milner Gardens and Woodland Society Enhancement
- Moorecroft Camp
- North Vancouver Island Wildlife Recovery Association
- Oceanside Hospice Society
- Mid Vancouver Island Habitat Enhancement
- Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
- Society of Organized Services (SOS)
- St. Anne’s and St. Edmund’s Anglican Church
- The Old School House
- Qualicum Beach Honours Society
How can you or your family establish a fund of your own?
Individuals, families or organizations can approach our President, Treasurer or other Board Member to begin discussing how you might establish a fund and how you want the proceeds to be used. An agreement will be drawn up, the donation made and your fund can start benefiting the community almost right away.
How much money do you need to get started?
Funds have been established in PQCF with amounts from $5,000 to $500,000. You can add to your fund any time you wish.
Can you direct where the interest on your fund will go?
Yes – you can set out the criteria in the agreement with PQCF, determine the recipients yourself or leave it to the Board – whatever you wish.
If you don’t want to establish your own fund, how can you donate?
Donations can be made in several ways:
- Cash, Securities, Stocks, Bonds, Mutual Funds
- A percentage of your estate as laid out in your will
- You can name the Foundation as the beneficiary of a life insurance policy – sometimes call Deferred Giving
- Trusts, Bequests
- Accumulations of RRSP or RRIF
Who are the current Board Members?
President: Cindy Koutecky Vice-President: Gale Mossman Secretary: Florence Gray Treasurer: Brent Johnson Directors: Linda Derkach, Michelle Butts, Donna Furneaux, Janet Dunnett, John Fraser.