Our Funds

Through careful stewardship and long-term investment, these funds create a lasting source of support for communities across the Shuswap. Annual grants and distributions provide assistance across 10 key categories, helping strengthen local programs, services, and initiatives that enhance quality of life throughout the region.

Community foundation endowment funds are permanent, invested pools of money where the original principal remains untouched, and a portion of the generated investment income is distributed as grants to local charities. They allow donors to make a lasting impact that supports their community forever.

Endowment funds function on a perpetual model designed for sustainability:

• The Principal: Your initial contribution (money, property, or securities) is pooled with other community assets and professionally invested. This base amount is never spent.
• The Payout: A percentage of the investment earnings is distributed annually to fund local programs. Any remaining earnings are reinvested to protect the fund against inflation and grow the principal over time.

• Perpetual Giving: Your gift creates lasting impact, supporting meaningful causes year after year for generations to come.
• Professional Management: Community foundations manage all financial administration, compliance, tax receipting, and grant distribution with care and expertise.
• Community Expertise: Deep local knowledge ensures funds are directed where they can make the greatest difference in the community.

Community foundation agency funds are permanent endowment funds created by registered charities to secure long-term, sustainable revenue. The charity transfers assets to the foundation to invest and manage. In return, the foundation pays out a portion of the investment earnings to the charity every year.

These funds help charities focus on their mission while the foundation handles complex administration, fiduciary management, and planned giving. 

• Creation: A charity partners with the Shuswap Community Foundation to establish a customized fund agreement.
• Investment: Shuswap Community Foundations combines the charity’s assets within its larger investment portfolio, providing access to professional management, stronger growth potential, and lower investment costs.
• Perpetual Payout: The fund’s principal is preserved and continues to grow over time, while a portion of annual earnings is distributed each year to support the charity’s programs, services, and community impact.