Matching Programs Triple Donors’ SYC Gift

A $50,000 charitable fund, created at Victoria Foundation through the Supporting Your Community program, is actually worth $150,000 to local arts groups thanks to two matching programs which exist to support sustainable growth for arts organizations.

“The beauty of this gift is that we were able to dramatically increase the impact of the BMO donors’ gift by linking to existing programs – that’s the beauty of this partnership,” explains Sandra Richardson, CEO of Victoria Foundation. “We have philanthropic expertise and BMO advisors understand the philanthropic needs of their clients.”

The Van Hall Fund for the Arts was established through the SYC program in late 2005. The donors, who wish to remain anonymous, were referred to Victoria Foundation through Ian McCracken, a Private Wealth Consultant with BMO Harris Private Banking.

The donors, who are retired and have no heirs, also plan to add another $50,000 in 2006, further growing their fund.