Skip to content

Partnership Fund group hosts AGM

The Midway Partnership Fund Advisory Committee exists to oversee granting of interest earned on investments.
52858greenwoodMidwaypartnershipfund-May2014-3
The Advisory Committee of the Midway Partnership fund. Standing

Eight Midway residents came together on May 6 in the curling rink for the AGM of the Advisory Committee of the Midway Partnership Fund.

The money that the group distributes comes from two sources. The Heritage Fund is an investment partnership between the Village of Midway and the Vancouver Foundation. This fund continues in perpetuity and each year the interest income is forwarded to the Advisory Committee for granting purposes.

The Legacy Fund is an investment partnership between the Village and the Phoenix Foundation. This fund carries on in perpetuity; however, unlike the Heritage Fund it remains open to donations from any interested party.

Pamphlets with full details about the work of the MPF are available at the library and the village office.

The MPF is mentored by the Phoenix Foundation of the Boundary Communities.

Joining the local committee was George Longden – Chair of the Phoenix Foundation Grants Committee. He presented an overview of community foundations generally and the Phoenix Foundation specifically.

Last year the Midway Partnership Fund supported the following groups and projects:

Boundary Minor Hockey Association and West Boundary Senior Housing Society were assisted in placing two defibrillators in the community.

The JLB Memorial Kettle River Run received funding for a picnic table.

The Kettle River Museum project to restore the exterior of the CPR caboose was funded.

The Boundary District Curling Club received funding that allowed them to renovate their washrooms.

Two projects have been accepted in 2014:

The Midway and Beyond Little Theatre Company will buy some lighting equipment.

The Midway Public Library has been granted some funding for completion of a meeting room.

Since 2010 the Midway Partnership Fund has provided funding to the museum, trails society and tennis courts.

Elected as officers for the advisory committee were John Fair – chairperson, Danny Anderson – vice-chair and Elaine Fromme – recording secretary.

Others serving as director and members are Caroline Sukow, Kim Lindseth, John Greaves and Beatrice and Clayton Blight.

“The Phoenix Foundation exists for the whole of the Boundary, from Beaverdell to Christina Lake,” Longden told the meeting. It is one of 191 community foundations across Canada.

This year will see the Phoenix Foundation update the 2009 Vital Signs report, which provides feedback on how well organizations are meeting the challenges specific to the Boundary.

Longden said the board of the Phoenix Foundation has set a long-term goal for itself of increasing their endowment from current level $2.23 million to $4 million by 2018, which will be their 20th anniversary.

Phoenix Foundation has been granting since 1998, except for 2009 when no grants were given. In total 275 grants has distributed almost $343,000 gone back into the Boundary communities.

Longden distributed the latest Phoenix Foundation newsletter. “Community foundations have the ability to respond quickly to address community needs through a flexible granting process is key; as is the fact that foundations have freedom to help in areas of need where governments are unlikely to tread,” said long-serving Phoenix board member Linda Manzon.