This asset base has in turn allowed the Foundation to grant 1.2 million dollars to worthy community projects and individual scholarships over the past 15 years. In addition to providing a vehicle for donors to create endowments, the Foundation also has a broader community building and leadership role. Some examples of initiatives undertaken by the Foundation in this role include: provided a series of capacity building and leadership workshops for non-profit community organizations; hosts an annual U.S. Citizens Day event; developed a Summer Lecture Series; and initiated the development and implementation of an Arts and Heritage Stabilization Program.

How we are unique
The Foundation is unique in several ways:

• Our interests and focus are broad; we have the capacity to respond to and support a wide range of donor and community interests;
• we are donor focused; each endowment fund is customized to respond to the interests and needs of the donor;
• we are flexible; if the interests of the donor change over time, the parameters governing the endowment fund can be modified to reflect these new needs;
• we are a registered charity; we can issue tax receipts for endowments and donations; we also have the capacity to issue tax receipts for donations from US citizens.

Note: Internal Revenue Service (IRS) receipts are of benefit in certain circumstances; US citizens considering making donations should consult with a US tax planner.

How we can be of benefit to you
The Foundation can be of benefit to:

• individuals who wish to honour someone's legacy by setting up an endowment fund; the fund could be to honour the memory of a family member, or recognize someone who has made a important contribution to his/her community.
• community groups, organizations, and businesses who have a passion about an issue or concern, or a particular area within the Island community.
• professional groups and service providers such as lawyers, financial planners, advisors, and accountants who offer estate planning, tax planning, and financial investment services. The Foundation may be an appropriate vehicle to help clients achieve their financial investment, tax planning, and estate planning goals.
• various levels of governments who find themselves acting as trustees or 'hosts' for particular trust or endowment funds, or who wish to recognize the work of a citizen who has made a special contribution to particular initiative or cause, or who has made a significant contribution toward enhancing the quality of life within their own, or the Island, community.

Some current initiatives of the community foundation

Building Community Capacity
Youth In Philanthropy
Evaluating our Island
How are Prince Edward Island’s non-profits doing?
PEI Events
Recent Awards

CFPEI has been successful in establishing the 'community fund model. The model was designed to provide a vehicle to allow a distinct community (geographic community, community of interest) to set up an endowment fund to directly benefit that particular community. The first such fund was the Eastern Kings Fund established in 2007; the Foundation is currently in discussions with other communities.

CFPEI provided the key leadership role in the establishment and implementation of the Island Arts and Heritage Program. Through this Program the Foundation has provided some eight hundred thousand dollars to ten different Island Arts and heritage organizations to assist with sustainability initiatives including; long term business planning, purchasing and implementing new office technology, and staff training and development.