Holiday Greetings from SPCF Board Chair
This year has been extraordinary. Perhaps that’s not the first word you think of to describe 2020, but it encompasses all we have experienced this year – the extraordinary highs and the extraordinary lows.
The ongoing pandemic has impacted our world in ways we never would have imagined; from travel restrictions and lockdowns across the globe with strict limitations for our families, communities, and our businesses to the unimaginable strain of a pandemic on our healthcare system and our heroes on the front lines.
But we are resilient. And in these extraordinary times, our community has responded in extraordinary ways.
Like you, the Community Foundation has pivoted and adjusted our priorities to meet our current circumstances and to keep our community safe. Our staff continue to serve our donors, volunteers and organizations by working safely from home. We have reimagined our granting programs to support our charitable organizations as they navigate financial uncertainties. We have embraced the national ask to be a local facilitator for the Government of Canada’s Emergency Community Support Fund and have worked with our donors and fund holders to support the most vulnerable in our region. Our ability to pivot and embrace the challenges of this year has resulted in over $552,000 granted to organizations serving Perth County, St. Marys and Stratford, making the Community Foundation a primary funder for our region’s charitable and non-profit sector.
As we approach the end of this extraordinary year, we wanted to take a moment to express our gratitude.
Thank you to our community for working together and supporting one another in our community’s time of need. This winter will be challenging, but we must remain vigilant and not lose focus on what’s important: the health and wellbeing of our colleagues, friends and loved ones.
Thank you to our volunteers, staff and Board for your hard work and unwavering commitment to our community. We couldn’t do what we do without you.
And finally, thank you to our donors and fund holders for your generosity and flexibility to support those in our region impacted most by the pandemic. Because of you and the legacies you’ve created, the Community Foundation is strong, resilient and will be here for the people of our community today, tomorrow and forever.
From our Community Foundation family to yours, we wish you a safe, healthy and happy holiday season.
Sincerely,
Doug MacDougald
Board Chair, Stratford Perth Community Foundation
Year-end Giving Options
Your year-end donation can have a lasting impact. If you are still considering a 2020 donation, we have a few options for you to choose from:
- Mail a cheque, payable to SPCF and a note in the memo if you have a specific fund you would like to support, or you can leave it unrestricted. It is important your envelope is postmarked by no later than December 31st to receive a 2020 tax receipt.
Our address is:
Stratford Perth Community Foundation
55 Lorne Avenue East, Unit 5
Stratford ON N5A 6S4
- Until Dec 31st, visit our CanadaHelps page to make an online donation and choose the fund that you wish to support or support the Community Foundation’s Legacy Fund.
- We also accept transfers of securities. With the end of the year just around the corner, we encourage you to discuss timing with your financial advisor to ensure the shares can be transferred by December 31st, if you need a 2020 charitable tax receipt.
Holiday Office Hours
Our offices will be closed from Monday, December 21st to Tuesday, January 29th, and Friday, January 1st and will reopen on Monday, January 4th.
The Stratford Perth Community Foundation is seeking candidates for its Board of Directors
The Stratford Perth Community Foundation’s Board of Directors provides strategic leadership, governance, establishes policy, oversees the operations and financial performance of the organization, and assesses the Board’s own effectiveness. The Community Foundation has a skills-based policy Board that balances experience, knowledge, and professional expertise with geographic representation.
Interested applicants are invited to visit spccf.ca for more information and to complete the online application form.
