Our Speakers on Foundations

Posted by Howard Lau
This week, Brom and Mark Starratt did a presentation on the activities of the  Foundations Committee.
 
  • November is Foundations month in the Rotary calendar and each year about this time, we celebrate the truly amazing things that this club has done in the last Rotary year.
  • The demand for funds always seems to outstrip the supply especially in an economic downturn like right now. We all have some tough choices to make regarding recipient donations.
  • Today’s message is simple and clear – right now, we are almost totally reliant on Foundation income for much of what we want to do and that’s why we need all of you members in this room to become supporters. Let’s not beat around the bush, we are entering a financially critical period.
Mark Starratt and David Bromwich
tell about the Foundations
 
 

 

  • Our club received a substantial amount from the Calgary Rotary Clubs Foundation (CRCF) over 92% of which derives from a multi-million dollar bequest from the late Ev and Ellen Mayhood.
  • CRCF is a local foundation that now has over $50 million in capital invested.
    Last June, our club received a cheque for over $1.7 million from which, in accordance with the Mayhood will, we sent over $800,000 to Rotary International. This left us with nearly a million dollars.
    In honour of Ev and Ellen Mayhood we encourage you all to be donors, large or small.
     
    To summarize, our club only had two non-designated income streams in the Rotary year to June 30, 2017:
    1) Calgary Rotary Clubs Foundation money
    2) BBQ money
    We also had directed or designated donation streams

    From non-designated funds

    The Signature Legacy Project:  The Signature Legacy Donation was the last one to the Rotary Mattamy Greenway and our Club organized a special event on the Greenway this year to mark its (well, almost) completion.
    1. World Community Service – 20 projects:  World Community Service received $250,000 from the Club last year but spent at least $500,000. How is that possible, you may ask? Think leverage!!
    2. Major Donations
     
    • The Autism Aspergers Friendship Society of Calgary which was given $16,000, provides respite care in a social and recreational environment for children, youth and adults on the spectrum of Autism. 
    • Meals on Wheels received $29,000.
    • Stardale Women’s Group received $30,000 from out club and offers services to Aboriginal women and girls. Their mission is to provide life skills and literacy education, as well as services and advocacy to women living in poverty and abusive situations.
    • The Distress Centre received $15,000. They offer crisis support, counselling and referrals to hundreds of thousands of people every year.
    • The Association for the Rehabilitation of the Brain Injured which received $20,000 from our club, provides intensive community-based rehabilitation and family support in a nurturing environment. With personalized rehab, and lots of encouragement, survivors can once again enjoy fulfilling lives in their communities. 
    • Legacy Children’s Foundation received $10,000.  Here’s an inside look at what they do and how it complements Rotary objectives.
    • We gave Alberta Network of Immigrant Women $25,000. They have connected and empowered immigrant women across the province, leading and supporting initiatives that foster equality, justice, and learning. 
    • Finally to Discovery House Family Violence Prevention Society which was given $30,000. We now have a short, powerful and moving video clip about the experience of domestic violence yet leading to hope for the future.
     
    1. Smaller strategic donations - Strategic (or small) Donations supported a whole host of local Calgary initiatives with over $45,000 and I’m sure you have read their excellent report about the many smaller projects which they were able to support.
     
    Sadly at present, as you have no doubt heard, we don’t have enough money for any major donations in the current year, yet we have received over qualifying 20 requests.

    The ASK 

    Do you know how much a medium size coffee and a muffin cost at Starbucks? The answer is over $5.  We are asking you to donate that equivalent amount just once a week to a Foundation. We want to ask everyone here to agree to contribute at least $5 per week the Foundations. 
     
    That could be done by an automatic $20 per month on your Visa card. 
     
    You can be really proud of what this club does in both raising money and in spending it wisely, locally and internationally. If you are inspired by the stories you’ve just heard, join the movement. Give to Foundations that keep on giving.  If you‘ve never given before, start small but start now. Don’t forget that your donations are tax deductible.