EKC Leads the Way in Supporting Our Local Community Foundation
May 15, 2018 – East Kootenay Community Credit Union (EKC) is leading the way in supporting the on-going operations of the Cranbrook and District Community Foundation (CDCF), with a generous donation of $5,000.
“The CDCF is very proud to offer excellent customer service to its donors, endowment fund holders, volunteers, and the community at large. EKC’s donation will play a key role in our ability to maintain the excellent customer service that our communities deserve,” said Lynnette Wray, CDCF Executive Director
Having an efficient and effective local office is a key component in the successes of the Community Foundation, which include granting almost half a million dollars to a wide variety of local non-profits over the last 14 years, establishing new Community Funds in each of Sparwood and Fernie, and growing 29 permanent endowment funds that support a wide range of positive projects and programs in our communities. The CDCF also supports local projects such as the homeless shelter project with the Salvation Army, an indoor soccer facility project with the Kootenay East Youth Sports Association (KEYSA), and support for competitive climbers with the East Kootenay Climbing Association (EKCA).
Jean-Ann Debreceni, EKC Board Chair, stated “EKC and the Community Foundation both believe in the importance of investing locally, to make our communities even better places to live, work, and play, today, tomorrow, and into the future. As a member-owned and community-based co-operative, EKC recognizes that having a strong and sustainable Community Foundation will benefit our members and our community, now and in the future.”
“EKC is the ideal partner to launch our fundraising campaign to assist with our on-going operating costs,” added Wray. “EKC has supported the CDCF from the very beginning, coming on board as one of the first endowment fund holders and being a key supporter over the years, including this most recent donation.”
The CDCF Board of Directors has set a goal of raising $30,000 in 2018 to support the on-going operations of the local office, which has recently re-located to the Ground Floor Coworking Space at 100-131 7th Avenue South in Cranbrook.
Wray said, “The Community Foundation is using several strategies to meet our on-going operating costs, and this fundraising campaign is one of them. With this generous donation from EKC, contributions from our CDCF Board members, and other community donations, we have raised almost $9,000 so far, which is 30% of our goal.”
The CDCF currently holds over $2 million in permanently endowed funds. The CDCF Board of Directors is working towards reaching $5 million in permanent endowments, which will allow the current scope of operations to be self-sufficient.
For anyone who is interested in supporting the on-going operations of our local Community Foundation, donations via cash or cheque can be mailed to the CDCF, P.O. Box 242, Cranbrook, BC, V1C 4H8 or dropped off at the CDCF office at 100-131 7th Ave. S, Cranbrook. E-transfers can be emailed to [email protected]. For more information, please contact Lynnette Wray, Executive Director, by phone at 250-426-1119. All donors will receive an official charitable donation tax receipt.
The Cranbrook and District Community Foundation is a CRA-registered charity and was federally incorporated as a not-for-profit in 2003. The CDCF is governed by 13 volunteer board members and employs one staff person.