Media Advisory

October 26 , 2005

Community Foundation to Announce New Initiatives at Annual Celebration of Local Philanthropy

(OTTAWA) – The Community Foundation of Ottawa is inviting the entire community to celebrate Ottawa 's giving spirit at the Canadian Museum of Nature on Wed., Nov. 2 at 5:30 p.m. The event will be hosted by Maureen Molot , Chair of the Community Foundation's Board of Governors, and Foundation President and CEO Barbara McInnes . The Celebration takes place each year to recognize those in the community who help make Ottawa a better place to live, as well as to share highlights of the Foundation's work over the last year and announce any new community initiatives.

 

At this year's event, the foundation will introduce two new programs that are meant to nurture the philanthropic impulse in the community. The new Youth in Philanthropy (YIP) program is designed to involve Ottawa youth in all aspects of the foundation's work. CFO is in the process of recruiting members for the Youth Advisory Committee, which will be responsible for distributing grants to support projects that benefit Ottawa 's youth community.

Launched in late September at OCRI's Ottawa Venture and Technology Summit, the ENGAGE! program is designed to inspire local entrepreneurs and investors to invest in the future of their community by making a commitment to give back to the community when they are successful. The program has already attracted over 100 members and established its first fund. ENGAGE! co-founder Coralie Lalonde will be speaking at the Celebration event.

The 2005 Celebration will also honour Carl Nicholson , Executive Director of the Catholic Immigration Centre, as the recipient of the 2004 Investing in People Award in recognition of his work towards building a better community for immigrants and newcomers to the Ottawa area. Begun in 1993, this award provides granting support to those who have shown imagination and leadership in addressing issues and opportunities in our community. Mr. Nicholson will speak at the event about how he is using the grant to support a variety of outreach projects to help mobilize people to make positive changes in their communities.

With current assets standing at $85 million , reflecting approximately $8 million in new donations since the beginning of 2005, the Community Foundation of Ottawa now manages almost 500 funds designated towards benefiting the entire community. In 2004, the Community Foundation distributed a total of $3.9 million in grants and disbursements to charitable organizations, for a total of $28.2 million since its inception in 1987. With a return on investment of 8.91 percent for the year, for an average of 8.04 percent over five years, the Community Foundation of Ottawa achieved the highest five-year average among the largest community foundations in Canada.

The Community Foundation of Ottawa is a public, non-profit organization created by and for the people of Ottawa . It connects donors who care with causes that matter and serves as a trusted resource for addressing issues and leveraging opportunities in the community. It attracts and manages a growing endowment, the invested earnings of which provide grants to charitable organizations. The Foundation's role is as neutral broker in support of all charitable causes that contribute to the community's quality of life. With its growing profile, the Community Foundation of Ottawa has built an enviable reputation for astute financial management, high-quality donor services, strategic grantmaking and innovative partnerships. www.communityfoundationottawa.ca

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Contacts:
Iona Green

Senior Associate, Marketing and Communications

(613) 236-1616 X 232

igreen@cfo-fco.ca