Giving Stories

The Community Foundation relies on the generousity and commitment from our community for the continued viability of the Foundation. We work with "Community Builders" to help them realize their philanthropic goals by matching their interests and concerns with community needs. We help them find innovative and responsible ways to give their investments lasting impact.

Meet some of our "Community Builders":

Cyril, Anne and Bernard Murphy Scholarship Fund

In 2021, the Community Foundation was the recipient of an estate gift from the late Bernard Murphy. Through a bequest in his Will, and in memory of his parents, the Cyril, Anne and Bernard Murphy Scholarship Fund has been created to support graduating students attending one of the two Cobourg high schools – Cobourg Collegiate Institute and St. Mary’s Catholic Secondary School.

His gift will continue to provide generous support of the educational endeavors of local students and will be a lasting legacy.

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Ed Fone Youth Sports Memorial Trust Fund

In 1998 the Municipality of Trent Hills received a donation in memory of Ed Fone, to provide funding support for youth sport improvements in Campbellford/Seymour. At that time the Municipality did not have a suitable project to contribute it to, and as it had been sitting idle for a number of years the municipality received permission from Ed's wife, Ann, in 2004, to transfer the funds to the Community Foundation's OECYR Fund.

Ann said "Ed was very interested in youth and coached both soccer and hockey in Campbellford. Ed enjoyed and played all sports and I felt that the Ontario Endowment for Children and Youth in Recreation Fund was a good fit." "Children should have an opportunity to play sports."

Grants Awarded from the OECYR Fund>>

The Northumberland Arts & Crafts Jan & Evert Scheidt FundNorthumberland Arts & Crafts Association

Many factors contributed to the decision to disband the Northumberland Arts & Crafts Association. In 2006, after 28 years of supporting arts and culture, it was a very difficult decision, but now the association's legacy will continue in perpetuity. This was the first named Endowment Fund created with a donation from another organization.

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Campbellford Gymnastics ClubCampbellford Gymnastics Club

In 1975 Marion Seguire and Gwen Carlaw started teaching gymnastics through the Recreation Department and in 1983 formed the Campbellford Gymnastics Club. After 30 years of coaching, Marion Seguire, Bev Meyers and Sharon Vanden Tillaart decided to retire from the club. Due to a lack of coaching staff, the Club could not continue and sold their equipment. In 2008 they donated the proceeds of $4,500 to the Revitalization of Kennedy Park project.

"It has been a local home grown program for 33 years" said Marion Seguire, "which will now assist a new recreation project in our community." Bev Meyers added "by leveraging our donation with matching grants, the Revitalization of Kennedy Park will be a win, win situation for the youth and a legacy for the Campbellford Gymnastics Club".

Read more about the Revitalization of Kennedy Park Project>>

The Rural Agri-Ventures Ontario (RAV ONtario)

In 2008 the RAV ONtario Representatives donated the remaining funds from the Rural Agri-Ventures Ontario Fund to the Community Foundation's Environmental Fund. The organization hadn't been active since 2002. They wanted the grants from the Fund to fund projects that met their original objectives:

  • Support local agriculture initiatives that have a sustainable, triple bottom line - economic, social and environmental
  • Encourage collaboration and partnerships between urban and rural citizens and organizations to further the community's capacity to grow healthy, local foods, thereby building community and ecological resilience.
  • Provide educational opportunities for citizens regarding ecological farming practices, urban agriculture, nutrition and health, and food security and sovereignty.

Environmental Fund>>

If you can't GIVE it up, GIFT it up!boat donation

In 2008 retired business woman, Kathy Herrold, and her husband, Doug Calver, made the decision to donate the boat of their dreams to the Community Foundation. Kathy said "It was no easy decision to give it up, until we realized we could GIFT it up. Once we got past the emotion of it all, we also realized that it made good business sense. We were just sitting on a depreciating asset." "We didn't lose anything, as we received the full tax benefit of the appraised value." The community foundation arranged the appraisals and the on-line auction, and the realized funds were used by the community foundation for operating expenses.

Kathy continued "Most people think they don't have anything to give. But they do - boats, cars, jewelry, artwork, all of it can be used to help. Many people, like us, are just sitting on assets, waiting to leave them to their children. People don't realize they can leave a legacy by donating to the many needs in the community."

Read more about Planned Giving>>

The Glover Family Fund

The Glover family, Steven and Patty, who reside in Canmore, Alberta, and their son, Russill, who resides in Burnaby, BC, set up this fund in 2021, through a gift of securities, to provide annual grants to organizations and initiatives that support social service groups in Trent Hills.

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