It is with mixed feelings that I write this President’s Report for the 2024-2025 year, knowing it will be my final document in this capacity. I am thankful to be part of an exceptional group of volunteers who have come together with the shared interest and support for the Phoenix Foundation. I can close this chapter of my volunteer time with the foundation knowing it is in the incredibly good hands of a committed Board of Directors, and the highly competent Executive Director Sandy Wade.
It is a recurring challenge in the world of volunteer board recruitment. So, it gives me pleasure in reporting that the Phoenix Foundation welcomed two new directors during this past year. Ms. Laurie Ungaro formally joined the board in April 2024, who importantly represents our West Boundary region. Eleven months later, in March 2025 Mr. Dean Trumblay, CAO of the City of Greenwood joined the board, bringing with him a host of leadership, governance and board experience. We are grateful for both Laurie and Dean’s interest in wanting to join our organization and it is fantastic that we are able to have a second West Boundary representative on the board. As I have noted in the past, we encourage members of the community to investigate the Phoenix Foundation and to consider becoming a part of this meaningful group of community leaders.
Aligning our work to that of our strategic plan and community needs is what the board focuses on in the course of our work. In March 2025, the board met to review our strategic plan, led by facilitator Mr. Doug Eveneshen. The process walked the group through the initiatives established in 2021 and identified that were accomplished, those that have not, those that are no longer as relevant in today’s environment and what was a new area for our time and attention.
The following highlights some takeaways and learnings from this review process:
As a result of investment growth, we continue to improve our capacity to grant funds from our own endowments. When we participate in external programs such as the BC Community Prosperity Fund, this doubled the amount of granting funds we delivered throughout our communities. This is a success highlight in our work.
Board and administration continuing education took form when several directors and our executive director Sandy attended a governance training program presented by Community Futures. In addition, Sandy attended the Vancouver Foundation sponsored BC Community Foundation Gathering where their BCconnect Network program was introduced. Sandy has been a participating committee member of this program.
In April 2024, together with the Christina Lake Gateway, we held our Community Impact Expo where the prior year grant recipients participated with information tables sharing information about who they are and what their community contribution has been. The expo helps bring awareness to the community and to each other of all the wonderful programs that are on offer across the Boundary. As always, I extend my thanks to all our directors and Sandy in making this such a successful event.
Areas that we identified which need continued focus include developing fund capacity to help grow our assets and community contributions, relationship building with key community leaders, expanding public awareness of the Phoenix Foundation by way of community storytelling and engagement, and partnership development to fuel fund development and increase donor interest.
Moving to a trust-based philanthropy model has enabled the Phoenix Foundation to make the process of granting funds easier. This approach continues to improve our ability to provide grant support in a timely and efficient manner. While the foundation supports an array of organizations, not all are registered charitable groups. The Phoenix Foundation is proud to be able to support such “non-qualified recipients” that align and further the objectives of the Foundation, that of building a better Boundary.
Lastly, I am pleased to share that the Phoenix Foundation of the Boundary Communities has grown to hold investable assets in excess of $4.37 million dollars at our fiscal year-end of March 31, 2025. Having met the goal of reaching $4 million in endowments, it is now time to revisit our mid-to-long term target particularly considering the economically sensitive environment we are currently experiencing.
I wish to extend my utmost appreciation and thanks to our current directors:
Mr. Alan Cooper, Vice-President; Mr. Alan Peterson, Fund Development Chair; Mr. Xavier Nitti, Treasurer; Ms. Melanie Leslie, Director at Large; Ms. Laurie Ungaro, Director at Large; Mr. Dean Trumblay, Director at Large; and our newest member, Ms. Mary Kierans, Director at Large; and our Executive Director, Mrs. Sandy Wade. Collaborating with you has been an absolute pleasure!
Respectfully submitted,
Becky Clements
President & Board Chair
Phoenix Foundation of the Boundary Communities