The Thompson Community Foundation wants more people to ask it for money.
That was part of the message foundation board member Randy McKay delivered when he appeared before Thompson city council Oct. 3.
“Unfortunately, our foundation is one of Thompson’s best-kept secrets,” said McKay. “It’s amazing how many people we approach and they know virtually nothing about the foundation. Our foundation’s goal in the next few years is to grow awareness.”
On the bright side, that lack of awareness hasn’t translated into difficulty getting people to contribute to the cause. McKay said that over the past year, the Thompson Community Foundation was involved with a fundraising challenge with a Winnipeg foundation, which agreed to match 50 cents for each dollar the Thompson foundation raised, up to a maximum of $50,000. Five days before the deadline, the foundation was only about two-thirds of the way to the maximum.
“On Sept. 6 we were sitting at $33,397, well short of our goal” McKay said. “Our board members got on the phone and in four days we raised $18,850. When it was all over we raised $52,247.13 and will enjoy receiving a cheque for $25,000 from southern Manitoba.”
During that last-minute donation drive, McKay realized the foundation needed a higher profile.
“I had to make a lot of phone calls and a lot of people I had phoned had never even heard about it and I would tell them about it and before I even asked they would say, “Well, what can we do for you?’ or ‘How much do you want?’” he said. “We tried to work on a $500 to $1,000 contribution this last year. I had three individuals this last push, I asked them for $500. They all walked in with $1,000 cheques. They just easily give more.”
Since it was established in 1995 with a few thousand dollars, the foundation’s fund has grown to over $1.7 million.
“The capital can never be spent,” said McKay. “This is why it continues to grow each year, generating more revenue to grant out each year.”
The Thompson Community Foundation has made 209 donations totalling $912,136.86 through its history, starting with a $716 grant to the Heritage North Museum in 1995.
“Last year we granted $88,627.64 to several groups and organizations and this year will be over $90,000,” McKay said. “I’m very confident that each and every one of you have been touched by the Thompson Community Foundation or at the very least a family member or friend has.”
If the foundation can grow its capital fund to $2.5 million, the board feels that they would be able to upgrade their one part-time employee to full-time status and become completely self-sufficient.
“It would be just a matter of picking out the organizations that apply for grants and handing it out,” said McKay.
Councillors testified to the good work the foundation does and agreed it is worthy of more notice.
“With what we have coming in 2018 where we will losing a fair bit of jobs and such, some of these organizations will be hurting but the Thompson Community Foundation looks like it will be sticking around for some time,” said coun. Dennis Foley. “You guys have done a fantastic job and I just want to make sure that you’re aware that we do appreciate it.”
“To the people who had the foresight to put this together and who continue to make it grow, congratulations and thanks very much,” said Coun. Penny Byer. “This is really what the spirit of Thompson is all about.”
Deputy mayor Kathy Valentino said applying for and receiving grants from the Thompson Community Foundation is not an onerous process.
“I’ve also had to fill out your grant applications and I think it’s worth noting for people as they spread awareness is that they’re not difficult grant applications,” she said. “I think yours is very streamlined and to the point and I think it’s not as difficult and shouldn’t scare people off from wanting to apply for a grant.”
McKay said the Thompson Community Foundation’s employee is available to sit down with people and help them fill out their application.
The Thompson Community Foundation will be holding its annual fall gala fundraiser Oct. 22.
