More than 200 guests recently had a great time and simultaneously helped the Comox Valley Community Foundation (CVCF) to reach its goal of helping others.
During a gala evening at the Florence Filberg Centre, CVCF president Lorne Harder thanked and presented plaques to three outgoing directors from the board — past president Blaine Douglas, Dave Stevens and Dr. GinoTancon.
The purpose of the gala is to raise funds that will be used to offset operating costs so that the proceeds of the donated funds are available for granting to the community rather than being used for administration.
The foundation pools donor funds, which are invested in perpetuity, and the annual earnings are distributed to charitable organizations within the Comox Valley.
“We now have over $3,000,000 working for the foundation," stated Harder. "Since we started giving out grants in 1998, we have been able to distribute over $1 million in the Comox Valley.”
Harder continues, “Our first objective is to raise awareness among potential donors about how the foundation can help them to leave a permanent legacy in the community. We constantly work on strengthening our relationships with financial advisers, notaries and lawyers, so that they, in turn, can advise their clients about the foundation.
"This past year, the foundation received three very substantial gifts from the wills and trusts of donors who were previously unknown to us, so we believe that our efforts to raise awareness about the foundation are starting to show tangible results.”
The second objective for the foundation is to meet community needs by responding to the evolution of the community.
“We rely on our 17-member board to bring a broad spectrum of experience and interests to the foundation," said Harder. "This helps to ensure that our grants are as diverse as our community.
"Naturally, in our role as stewards, our board is very careful in evaluating grant applications since we will are responsible to our current donors and future donors as well as potential recipients.”
The third objective for the foundation is to promote charitable giving generally and to help community groups access charitable funds from other sources.
The success of the foundation is due to the generosity of the donors and the confidence that those donors have placed in the directors.
“We want people to know that we provide a flexible vehicle for the long term," said Harder. "Building legacies is a very attractive option.”
Many of the guests for the gala evening at the Florence Filberg Centre wholeheartedly dressed the part for this year’s theme of Grease.
As people arrived, they were immediately transported back to the 1950s thanks to the artistic decorating talents of CVCF director Dove Hendren and the loan of props from the Classic Cruisers. Following dinner, the dance floor was rocking to the great music of Time Well Wasted.
More information about the CVCF can be found on their website at www.cvcfoundation.org or by contacting Lorne Harder at 250- 338-1401.
— Comox Valley Community Foundation