After a number of false starts and changes in leadership, the Airdrie and District Community Foundation is ready to start accepting donations and handing out grants.
“We became a registered charity about two years ago,” said Derek Lalonde, president of the board of directors. “They were trying to get going, they got registered, wrote bylaws and then it kind of petered off. This is literally about the third try at getting it going.
“I believe the board members that we now have are a diverse, energetic group large enough to divide up the work that needs to get done in volunteer roles to get the foundation going.”
Lalonde and the rest of the board unveiled the foundation’s new website to a group of potential supporters and donors at the Rotary Room at Genesis Place Recreation Centre June 10.
The idea for a community foundation was initially the brainchild of Airdrie resident John Grame.
“We’d like to thank the original founders – John Grame, Ken Reid and Dick Buchanan,” Lalonde said. “Dick, before he passed away in 2015, made a donation to the foundation of $5,000, because he was so passionate to get it going.”
According to Lalonde, the foundation is now ready to start accepting donations and will start handing out grants in 2017.
“The foundation will be able to fund any registered charity in Airdrie and community,” he said. “We can only donate to registered charities, such as Community Links, Boys and Girls Club of Airdrie, the library, the Nose Creek Museum, the Airdrie Community Choir, et cetera. Projects can include parks and recreation, education, sports, health and wellness, among others.”
Community foundations are not able to provide funds for operating costs under Canada Revenue Agency rules.
The board is comprised of individuals already part of other community groups, including the Rotary Club and Airdrie Lioness, as well as key leaders in the community, including lawyers, Mayor Peter Brown and City Councillor Fred Burley.
The foundation is able to accept donations of any size, however, Lalonde said any donor of $1,000 or more will become part of a founders club and recognized on the website and on an annual basis through advertising.
More information about the Airdrie and District Community Foundation is available online at airdriefoundation.ca
