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Our Mission
The Parksville-Qualicum Community Foundation works to improve the quality of life in our communities through grants for charitable activities from earnings of funds invested in perpetuity.
Our History
Sparked by a presentation made by Richard Mulcaster, CEO of the Vancouver Foundation in 1992, a local resident Mr. Art Skipsey brought together an interested group of residents from the District 69 area to discuss the possibility of setting up a Community Foundation. After explaining the benefits that this type of legacy organization could bring to the community a small group was formed to investigate the possibility of moving forward with the idea. Three people came forward initially - Rick Roster, David Freeman and Karen (Walker) Flannery and they were soon joined by Jim Storey, Brad Wylie who in turn recruited Brent Johnson, CGA to round out their group.
With information from the Community Foundations of Canada, advice from the Vancouver Foundation and the co-operation of the Alberni Valley and Comox Valley Foundations, the process was begun. Brent Johnson, CGA and David Freeman, a lawyer, facilitated the establishment of the Foundation as a non-profit Corporation registered with the Federal Government. Once registration was received and with a new Board of Directors in place, a public information meeting was held January 7th, 1999. Memberships were sold and the participants were encouraged to attend the founding meeting on February 24, 1999 at the Qualicum Beach Civic Centre. The first Board of Directors was elected at this meeting, Warren Banks, Daryl Epps, David Freeman, Elizabeth Hieronymi, George Holme, Yvonne Hooper(Secretary), Brent Johnson(Treasurer), Julia Macdonald, Cam Maclean, Rita Schotte, Art Skipsey(President), Shaw Tetlock, Barbara Terry, Dr. Harry Webster, Dan Whiting, Brad Wylie(Vice-President) and Helen Zalinko.
Seed money for the Parksville-Qualicum Community Foundation was obtained from the Vancouver Foundation in the form of two $25,000.00 matching grants. Thanks to some enthusiastic fund-raising from the Board and members, the first year of the Foundation finished with $116,000.00 in the Endowment Fund. Operating funds were provided in part by grants from the Parksville and District Credit Union, Qualicum Beach Lions Club, Parkville Kiwanis Clubs and the Canadian Legion Branch #49 Parksville as well as by the individual board members.
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