2019 Annual CONNECTING your giving WITH ISLAND NEEDS Report Highlights n The Foundation celebrated its 35th anniversary in 2019; almost $3.5 million has been granted to local charities since 1984. n Over $298,000 in grants were given to Salt Spring Island Conservancy a wide range of local charities, including over $42,000 for youth recreation projects thanks Salt Spring Island Foundation to a bequest from Joan Nicholson. Marks 35 Years of Giving n Donations and bequests totalled $613,736. We all know that great trees grow from tiny The Foundation has benefitted from excep- n TheNeighbourhood seeds, which makes the tree logo of the Salt tional leadership over its 35 years. Between Small Grants program Spring Island Foundation particularly appro- 1991 and 2006, under the chairmanship of funded 10 projects that priate. In 1984, John C. Lees planted a $10,000 Bob Rush (see page 11), the community helped to bring people seed that by 2019 had grown to an $8 million endowment fund swelled from $29,000 to together and build endowment fund solely for the benefit of Salt $2 million. The Foundation continued to community belonging. Spring Island charities. flourish after Carol Biely succeeded Bob Rush n Our firstOn the Table Lees’ bequest was the first donation to the as Foundation chair. Carol served from 2006 celebrations gathered fund. He died on March 1, 1984, just five days to 2015 and built the organization to become islanders to dine before the Salt Spring Island Foundation was an important player in community philan- together and discuss registered as a Public Foundation with thropy. Since then, Kees Ruurs led the topics of shared interest Revenue Canada in Ottawa. Alan Pierce, organization through a time of growth and and concern. Colin Mouat and Richard Toynbee were the change, succeeded by Brian Lawson in 2019. first three trustees. CONTINUES ON PAGE 4 SSI Foundation, PO Box 244, Salt Spring Island, BC, V8K 2V9 ssifoundation.ca TEL: 250 537 8305 (far left) Board Chair Brian Lawson and director Gordon Chutter at an On the Table event (left) Foundation directors, volunteers and staff meet with Farmland Trust directors at The Root (far left) Foundation director Karla Copeland-Rice and Board Chair Brian Lawson (left) Foundation directors Kevin Vine and Eric van Soeren Building a Strong and Healthy Community The spirit of philanthropy is deeply rooted on Salt Spring. It inspires us to support all those The Board of Directors in need and to build a strong and healthy community. Philanthropy is the sharing and giv- Brian Lawson Board Chair ing of any of the three Ws: wealth (giving money), work (volunteering to help) and wisdom (giving others the advantage of some knowledge). That spirit inspired the creation, growth Kees Ruurs Vice Chair and success of the Foundation, which has been built by the selfless generosity of islanders Eric van Soeren Treasurer and Chair, Finance like Bob and Jinny Rush and Eileen Stubbe, profiled in this annual report. and Audit Committee Since 1984, the Foundation has granted almost $3.5 million to 85 island charities for Kate Merry some 550 community projects. Truly, the Foundation has touched the lives of almost Secretary and Chair, everyone on this island. Donor Relations Committee Over the past 35 years, the Foundation’s permanent endowment fund has seen contin- Gordon Chutter uous growth through prudent investment. It was established to benefit everyone on the Chair, Grants Advisory Committee island, now and into the future. As our community changes, new challenges and needs Karla Copeland-Rice will undoubtedly arise, making the fund more relevant than ever. Chair, Investment Committee The success of your community Foundation comes from the support of our island Kim Hanson community—the many donors and supporters, Board and committee members, Foundation of Youth Liaison volunteers and staff who have contributed their time and financial support. Thanks also Ellie Langford Parks to the many island charitable organizations and their volunteers, without whom the Chair, Vital Connections community projects supported by the Foundation could not have taken place. Committee Finally, a special word of thanks to the past Chair of the Foundation, Kees Ruurs, who Lesley Reynolds Chair, Communications Committee stepped down from that position in 2019. Our community can be proud of all that the Foundation has accomplished over the past Kevin Vine Chair, Governance Committee 35 years and will continue to do into the future. We are your community foundation. Brian Lawson Chair Salt Spring Island Foundation 2 Salt Spring Island Foundation 2019 Annual Report Here are some of the ways G your community foundation N I has helped Salt Spring V I G Island charities over 35Y E A R S of the past 35 years: Arts and Culture Since 1998, the Foundation has supported ArtSpring and community groups that use its theatre and gallery space, as well as the Salt Spring Arts Council and smaller arts organizations. Heritage The Foundation recognizes the importance of Salt Spring Island’s history with grants to modernize our archives, preserve our community halls and recognize our cultural heritage. Community Infrastructure Foundation grants have benefitted community assets that many islanders use daily, from the Salt Spring Island Public Library to the Rainbow Road Pool and the pathways that keep us safe. Health and Wellness The Foundation has long supported programs that seek to ensure community health and wellness through grants to Salt Spring Island Community Services, IWAV and many other charities. (clockwise from top left) Salt Spring Island Community Services; From the skate park to the soccer field and Recreation Salt Spring Island Public beyond, Foundation grants have funded recreation facilities and Library; School District programs for islanders of all ages. #64, GISS; Salt Spring Island Community Services; PARC, Rainbow Foundation grants have been instrumental Agriculture Road Pool; Salt Spring in establishing local community gardens and in supporting food Island Conservancy security initiatives, such as Farmland Trust’s The Root. Environment Preserving our natural environment is an ongoing focus of the Foundation through grants to the Salt Spring Island Conservancy and other charities for land acquisition, education and research. Education Foundation grants support school programs and activities that enrich the lives of island children in many areas, including music, drama, athletics, technology and school gardens. ssifoundation.ca 3 …CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 The Foundation values the trust earned over 35 years through transpar- ency, fairness and accountability, and it remains the basis of our relationships with everyone in our community. Because the Foundation has contributed to almost all of the island’s important projects and charities, nearly everyone living on the island has bene– fitted from a Foundation grant in some way. It has helped to build and shape our island community for the good of all. (L-R) Operations Director Shannon Cowan; Bookkeeper Cynthia Marshall; Administrative Assistant Rebecca Martin The Foundation Welcomes Our New Staff The Foundation is pleased to introduce the three staff members who joined (L-R) Dawn Beattie, director Kate Merry, us in 2019: Operations Director Shannon Cowan, Administrative Assistant Judy Norget Rebecca Martin and Bookkeeper Cynthia Marshall. Shannon is dedicated to environmental sustainability and equitability on a community scale. In addition to bringing her organizational and While grant-making remains at the leadership skills to the Foundation, Shannon currently coordinates the Salt core of the organization’s work, the Spring Island Watershed Protection Alliance and has offered volunteer ser- Foundation’s role has evolved over the vice to School Parent Committees, the Salt Spring Island Doula Collective, past 35 years. It now takes a more active the Climate Action Plan and community education, such as childbirth, part in assessing community priorities, permaculture and botanical therapy. She loves spending time with her such as the 2017 VitalSigns® report, husband and daughter, nurturing sustainability and spiritual health, and engages in grassroots granting to going for adventures in nature, food gardening, making music and hosting promote community belonging with the community learning events. Neighbourhood Small Grants program. Rebecca has worked with several non-profits, both as staff and as a The Salt Spring Island Foundation is volunteer, and has seen first-hand the impact these organizations have in the result of countless acts of generosity, the community. Working with the Foundation is an exciting new challenge, large and small. Its success is due to and she is delighted to be part of this important work. Outside of the office, many loyal donors, as well as to Board she enjoys exploring the beaches and forests of the island with her two and committee volunteers and staff; young children, trying new recipes and reading a good novel whenever she close to 150 people have volunteered gets the chance. in some capacity. The Foundation now Cynthia is originally from Mexico, where she began her career as a operates out of a downtown Ganges finance and administration assistant manager and auditor. She has been office with 3 part-time staff members, a Salt Spring Island resident since 2005, working for School District #64 10 Board members and about 40 other since 2007 and for the Gulf Islands Families Together Society. Working for volunteers. the Foundation has been incredibly motivating for Cynthia, allowing her to The Foundation’s mission is to further expand her accounting skills and experience. She enjoys spending inspire philanthropy in support of local time with her three children and travelling to learn new languages. charities for the enduring benefit of our Her daughters are already fluent in Spanish and French, as well as English. community. There is no doubt it will The Foundation is grateful to Kisae Petersen and Taryn Hancock, our continue to inspire and serve the people former Operations Director and Administrative Assistant, for their energy, of Salt Spring Island over the next 35 dedication and hard work on behalf of the organization.