Twenty five years ago, the Yellowknife Community Foundation was formed, based on a simple premise: that people working together can make a difference.
As we enter our anniversary year, we can look back with some pride to 25 years of committed service for the people of Yellowknife. Starting with our first donation of $100 in 1994, we have grown our asset base to over $4.5 million – and we’re still growing. 1999 saw the establishment of our first two named funds: the Fine and Performing Arts Fund and the Jenny Gamble-Fournier Memorial Scholarship. Today, we administer 35 funds, of which 22 are scholarships. Several are field of interest funds, while our general fund – The Yellowknife Community Fund – allows us to provide grants in a wide range of areas.
In 2017, we distributed over $160,000 in grants and scholarships to individuals and community groups in a variety of areas, including: social housing, education, seniors, children and youth, arts, culture and heritage, sport and physical activity, health and safety, and community services. We have come a long way since our first board of directors was established and we owe them, and their successors, many thanks for their vision and hard work.
While it is fun to look back, it is more important still to evaluate where we are and look forward to where we would like to be in the future and how we can get there.
To celebrate our 25th anniversary, in 2018 we will be awarding at least 25 scholarships valued at $2,500 or greater. This will more than double our support for students for this special year. In addition to our regular grants, the Foundation is also pleased to announce the award of four special grants of $25,000 for worthwhile community projects.
Our Gala in 2018 will be a special one, to celebrate the first quarter century of the Foundation, and to recognize the contribution of our many sponsors, as well as the generosity of the individuals, families and organizations that have established scholarships and other funds to honour loved ones, and to give back to the community.
As we move further into our next 25 years, we will be working to help realize our Vision of a giving community where people working together make a difference for everyone, with our specific Mission being to enhance the quality of life in our community. We will be striving to achieve our mission by: identifying and addressing current and anticipated community needs; raising, managing and distributing money from donated funds to meet those needs; and supporting projects that improve social conditions, assist and promote arts and cultural activities, sport, recreation and community development, assist and advance the provision of health care services, advance education, or assist and advance other community activities of a charitable nature.
We see the power of people working together demonstrated every day in our work. Our Board of Directors are 11 highly committed volunteer members. We are supported by a part-time Executive Director, who is essential for our functioning and many other volunteers who undertake a variety of activities, from participation in committees, to working on our Gala and other events.
Without our volunteers we would be unable to function; every year many people give generously of their time and expertise with little, if any, recognition. Without them, we simply would not exist.
It is also important to recognize our corporate and community sponsors. Their assistance and contributions are integral to allowing the Foundation to carry on its important community work. So, as we celebrate our special anniversary, we extend our thanks to everyone who has contributed in ways big and small, to those whose compassion and generosity have inspired them to give to our community in money, time, and energy.
Thank you! Together, we truly can continue to make a difference in our community.
Download the 2018 calendar (PDF 8.2 MB)
Bronwyn Watters
President
