The Niverville Foundation hosted their annual AGM on May 1 at the Friendship Centre in Niverville. New this year was the addition of an art exhibit showcasing paintings by emerging and experienced local artists.
This year’s AGM portion saw the election of two new board members, bringing the total to seven. Andrew Neufeld stepped away from the board this year.
Attendees were treated to wine and a variety of finger foods while mingling with the artists and their art. Local artists included Helene Dyck, Elaine Krahn, Jenn Lundy, Jolene Pauls, Cody Sawatzky, Ludolf Grollé, and Heather Ward.
Three special grants were gifted by the foundation to local projects this year. A donation of $2,000 will assist the mobility van committee in achieving their goal of bringing this unique vehicle to Niverville.
Niverville’s new lending library also received $2,000, allocated towards the purchase of a computer and audiobook licensing.
A final $1,284 was presented to Open Health Niverville for the acquisition of a bariatric weigh scale.
In the 33 years since its inception, the Niverville Foundation has raised well over a million dollars for projects that improve the health and wellness of residents living within the community.
Seniors housing projects, the Niverville Fire, and EMS and Niverville Open Health are just a few of the beneficiaries of the foundation’s work.
The premise of the foundation is to provide an avenue for people to make charitable donations to local causes of their choice. The Niverville Foundation is there for those who are in the midst of estate planning, as well as those who have sold capital and are looking to ease their tax burden while benefitting their community.
Donors can direct their donations anonymously or choose to be recognized for their contributions.
Either way, the foundation promises to take care of all the administrative work and reporting to the Canada Revenue Agency, freeing the donor from the hassle.
To the crowd of attendees at Thursday’s AGM, director Ken Rempel spoke about the human need to leave a legacy which provides both meaning and purpose to a person’s life.
“People that have put their heart and soul into the community and want to give back, that’s [who our donors are],” Rempel says.
Donor Advise Funds represent a way for individuals or families to be specific about which organizations or charities they’d like to allocate their donations towards.
“The minimum donation [for a Donor Advise Fund] is $25,000,” Rempel says. “You can keep adding to that or just do a one-time donation.”
But the foundation will accept donations of any denomination. Gifts of under $25,000 will be added to the regular endowment fund and dispersed at the board’s discretion.
Every year, like this year, investment income from the growing endowment fund will be used to bolster local projects in need of financial support.