Long after I’m gone...

Charlie Harvey’s spirit lives on in Winnipeg

Almost 20 years ago, Charles F.J. Harvey made a decision that has changed the lives of countless Manitobans.

The proud Winnipegger wanted to give something back to the community that supported him throughout his 54-year career as a financial planner. He was ready to make a significant gift to charity, but rather than distribute the money immediately, he decided to create an endowment fund through The Winnipeg Foundation.

The Charles F.J. Harvey Family Fund was created with a gift of $15,000 to provide continuing support to charities in Charlie’s community. Over the years, Charlie’s fund grew through prudent investment and significant additional capital contributions. Today, it provides almost $14,000 annually to local charities.

Because Charlie decided to create a permanent fund, and grow it through subsequent gifts, his commitment has generated more than $100,000 in grants to local agencies and it will continue support a wide range of charities every year.

“Charlie’s gift of $15,000 could have been spent in 1991, with a single impact in our community,” says Rick Frost, President and CEO of The Winnipeg Foundation. “But his commitment continues to benefit local charities. Andit’s great to think that in another 15 or 30 or 45 years his gift will still be giving.”

Mr. Harvey’s tradition of philanthropy has been passed along to his son as well. Doug Harvey has generously supported the community foundation’s Literacy for Life Fund, a special endowment that supports family literacy programming across his province

In fact undesignated funds, like Charles Harvey’s, support a wide range of programs and projects. Community needs have changed since 1991 when Mr. Harvey established his fund and those needs will continue to change in the decades ahead. Undesignated funds, like Mr. Harvey’s, enable the Foundation to respond to shifting needs and new community issues as they arise.

Charlie’s gift could have been earmarked in 1991 for causes that might already be obsolete – or that might become obsolete over time; his gift wouldn’t be benefiting his community in the way that it is today.

Giving through a community foundation can ensure your gift continues to have meaningful impact on your community. The foundation safeguards your charitable intent to make sure your gift is put to good use, forever.

"The Winnipeg Foundation is all-encompassing and will be here long after I'm gone. I agree with how the Board and staff of the Foundation approach both the stewardship of funds and the research on choices for distribution of grants. I have a particular concern for those who are alone or lonely."

– Charles F.J. Harvey