Community Foundation News
People who care
Prince Edward Island is a great community. So great, in fact, that some 40 years ago, I chose
it as my home. The Island is a special place; it works its magic on Islanders and visitors alike. I saw the magic at work
on newly-hired staff at Holland College; with a neighbour from Florida who fell in love with the Island on his first visit,
built a summer residence on his second visit and now returns every year, and with young folk for whom PEI is their favourite
summer location.
In addition to the landscape, I am always amazed at the generosity of its people . Islanders are so willing to give of their
time and talent, but also of their own money. Most every day this generosity is reported through stories and photos in the
media. People walk, bicycle, run, swim, ride, bake, grow, trade, plant, create, paint, sew, organize, volunteer, donate, and
purchase all for worthy causes. And giving back is not reserved for the well-to-do; it applies to young and old alike, to
individuals and groups
Causes that matter
The Island is not perfect; there is always room for improvement . and improving our way of life is a responsibility of each
and every one of us. We can all think of ways of improving our community; we don.t have to wait for the professionals to
tell us. Causes are many and varied; some of the obvious ones include maintaining our landscape, assisting young people
prepare for adult life, helping those in need, improving health care, Some things we can take care of ourselves; others may
be more complex or long term. For the latter, help is at hand through the Community
Foundation of Prince Edward Island.
Making the Connection
A community foundation focuses on the needs of the local community, for most, it is a town or city and the surrounding
service area; for PEI, it is the entire Province. CFPEI acts as an agent for donors; it does for a community what
individuals cannot do for themselves. It carries out community improvements in support of a donor.s interests. It does
these things by finding an individual or organization willing and able to lead the change process.
Connecting through CFPEI
Islanders addressing causes that matter through CFPEI include:
- The MacKay Family to improve the medical response to cardiac emergencies
- Jessie Drummond to encourage public speaking among Island youth
- Rear Admiral Louise and Mr. James Wilmot to strengthen health care in Souris
- An anonymous US visitor for the relief of poverty
- The Keuper family to maintain and improve the Island's landscape
- Dr. Marlene Bryenton to ensure perpetual care for the Ghiz park
- Dr. Hesta MacDonald to provide books to school libraries
- The Robinson family to remember earlier generations
- Friends to remember the example of Dr. Donald Taylor
- The Glendennings to support activities in their home community.
CFPEI and you
Community foundations are unique in that they support all charities, may be used to address any cause of interest, take their
direction from the donor, focus on long term issues, invest funds for growth, maintain funds in perpetuity have low
administrative fees and are managed by your friends who know the community. CFPEI may be thought of as:
- A way to allow you to influence the future
- Your agent for change in your community
- An administrator to carry out your charitable interests.
- Your private charity
- A superstore for donors
- A charity for charities
- An alternative to a costly private foundation
- Your personal charity advisor.
MAKE CFPEI YOUR CHARITY OF CHOICE
NOTICE
This is my last issue as Editor the Community Foundation News. Producing it has been very rewarding - but it is time to move
on. While I was the pen, ideas, advice and technical assistance came from many. Thanks to readers, contributors and all
who provided photos or edited drafts.
Don Glendenning
Editor
The Foundation News is an informal newsletter edited and published
electronically by, and at the whim of, Don Glendenning. Think of it as a
letter from a friend. Feel free to send it to a friend or otherwise let
me know that you want to be on the mailing list. Address:
don@glendenning.net the foundation
email address is foundation@cfpei.ca.
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