1999 Fact Sheet 2000 Fact Sheet Community foundations are one of the fastest-growing and most dynamic networks dedicated to building and strengthening communities in Canada. Pool the charitable gifts of many donors into permanent, income-earning endowment funds that benefit local communities. Provide leadership to their communities by bringing people together from all sectors to identify and address local issues. All kinds of people. Donors can choose to support their hometown broadly or designate a favourite cause or charity.
Flexibility is key.
Community foundations provide many services to donors to help them make the most of their charitable gifts. Many charities also place their endowment funds with community foundations in order to benefit from greater returns on their investments. Winnipeg established the first community foundation in Canada in 1921. Today, community foundations span the country from Vancouver Island to Newfoundland, serving large and small urban centres and rural communities. Their endowment funds are professionally invested in diverse portfolios to ensure that they are managed wisely and profitably.