For Bernice Magee, president of the Burns Lake District and Community Foundation, donating to the foundation is more than simply contributing to an organization.
“It’s an opportunity to leave a lasting legacy for the community you have lived in,” she said.
The Burns Lake and District Community Foundation provides the community with the opportunity to make a lasting charitable donation to enhance organizations within the community, focusing on education, arts, culture and youth. The foundation helps donors realize their philanthropic goals by matching their interests with community needs and finding innovative ways to make every donation count.
Founded in 2006, the Burns Lake District and Community Foundation has given back approximately $65,000 to the community over the years. In 2014, grants distributed totalled $24,685, benefiting organizations such as the Lakes District Fall Fair, the Burns Lake Rotary Club, the Lakes District Arts Council, the Burns Lake Mountain Biking Association bike camp and Lakes District Secondary School (LDSS) scholarships.
Since 2008, the foundation has also been funding the Paul Jean Scholarship, giving more than $14,000 to help pay for tuition costs and post secondary education for LDSS students.
The foundation invests people’s donations into permanent endowment funds. Only the investment income is distributed, and the funds are retained to generate income for the future, explained Magee.
One of the many ways people can donate to the Burns Lake District and Community Foundation is to include the foundation in their will. This provides an opportunity for people who do not have any beneficiaries or heirs, ensuring their money will go back to the community where they lived.
People can also donate by giving a one-time gift cash or pledge an amount over time, or by perpetuating the name of a friend or relative through an in memoriam gift.
All donations to the Burns Lake and District Community Foundation are charitable gifts for income tax purposes. Donor benefits enable people to maximize their tax, financial and estate planning benefits. It also enables people to direct their contributions to charities they care for deeply, giving them a chance to impact their community in an ongoing basis.
The foundation accepts one intake per year for organizations wishing to be funded. Watch for advertisements on Lakes District News for specific dates. For more information, contact Bernice Magee at 250-692-7081 or the Burns Lake village office at 250-692-7587.
