Saskatoon Community Foundation Bounces Back in 2009!

Saskatoon Community Foundation released its 2009 Annual Report today. The theme of the report is “Support,” referring to the ongoing support of our donors that in turn enabled us to continue our perennial support to community agencies. Some highlights of 2009 include:

• Donations exceeded $2.9 million, the second highest level in the history of the Foundation.
• Endowed assets grew to $21.5 million. Despite the economic difficulties of 2008, donors clearly still have confidence in the long-term advantages of endowment giving.
• 15 new endowed funds were established in 2009, including a new agency fund for Ronald McDonald House.
• Despite the economic difficulties of 2008, thanks to donors the Foundation maintained its support for the community, granting almost $400,000 despite not making grants from endowed funds! 70 charities received 89 grants.
• The 3rd Annual Mayor’s Inaugural Cultural Gala was the premier event of the year, raising over $300,000 for our community.

We experienced one of our strongest years ever in the investment markets, with returns of 14.85%, compared to -10.7% in 2008, and 1.6% in 2007. Our average annual returns over the last ten years are 6.29%.

Community foundations build and manage permanent endowments to support local charities. They are one of the world's fastest growing philanthropic movements, with more than 1,100 foundations in 42 countries. In Canada, 172 community foundations manage more than $3 billion in assets--a permanent nest egg for Canadian communities.

For more information:

Trevor Forrest Executive Director
Saskatoon Community Foundation
(306) 665-1766