SYC Impresses New Client

Supporting Your Community has a new champion after a charitably-minded donor established a $200,000 fund at The Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation (KWCF).

“She was actively giving to charities and was very intrigued by the SYC concept,” says Lynda Cowie, Associate Director and Investment Counsellor with BMO Harris Private Banking. The client, who is new to BMO Harris and prefers to remain anonymous, was pleased that she could support the charities of her choice through a single fund and appreciated the community foundation’s local expertise.

After Cowie met with the client she introduced her to KWCF CEO Rosemary Smith. “I was struck by her professional manner and how she spoke with my client,” says Cowie. “She was very knowledgeable and provided an excellent overview of the foundation’s work in the community.”

The client, who volunteers in another country for a good part of every year, was particularly thankful for Smith’s efforts to help her support her favourite international charity here at home.

“We’re here to link donors with the causes that matter to them,” says Smith. “Although our added value is primarily in the knowledge of our local community, when the donor has a relationship beyond our community we are certainly capable of providing support to that charity.” “It was clear from the outset that Rosemary wants to help this client achieve her philanthropic goals,” says Cowie, “and I know she’ll be sharing her positive SYC experience with other volunteers and philanthropists.”