As executive director of the Community Foundation of Campbellford/Seymour and Northumberland, Martha Murphy knows the ropes: lunching with the politicians, meeting with volunteers and service organizations and working through applications in the office; and she still considers it “an absolute honour and privilege to work with so many dedicated volunteers and organizations.”
Martha started working with the Foundation over twenty years ago. Born out of proceeds from Campbellford’s sale of its public electric utility in 2000, the Foundation adopted a mission to help support community services through grants and leadership.
Now, with a brand-new title, the Community Foundation of Campbellford/Seymour and Northumberland (CFCSN) looks forward to formally doing what it has always done: to serve all of Northumberland County.
NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY FUND
Along with their new name, the CFCSN has launched a new fund – the Northumberland County Fund – created by the board of directors with a grant of $10,000, which will be matched dollar for dollar, effectively doubling the fund to $20,000. “We are highlighting the Northumberland County Fund to encourage donors to support the new endowment fund through wills and bequests,” says Martha. “Once there are sufficient funds, we will accept applications from charities for projects that will benefit the residents of Northumberland.”
Martha is anxious to point out that it is not their intent to compete with other charitable organizations who raise funds for projects, which are more like “chequing” accounts, where they make withdrawals from the principal. Instead, “We work with donors to create endowment funds, which are more like a ‘savings account,’” she explains, “where only a portion of the interest earned on the investment is spent annually in the form of grants, leaving most of the principal for future generations.”
COMMUNITY SERVICES RECOVERY FUND
A second funding opportunity is in the works. The pandemic was devastating for many service-level organizations, as staff shortages swelled and available funds dwindled while community needs rose to new levels. To address this situation, the Government of Canada created the Community Services Recovery Fund, a one-time investment of $400 million with a two-fold aim: to help service organizations recover and to support them as they move ahead to adapt and modernize their operations. The fund, which will be implemented in the coming months, is designed for charities, non-profit organizations and Indigenous governing bodies across the country. Its focus is on projects that will help organizations retain qualified people, re-engineer their technological systems and improve their processes and practices in spreading their message to both those in need and those who can help.
What does this mean closer to home? The CFCSN will oversee over $300,000 in funding from the Recovery Fund to selected service organizations throughout Northumberland County. Recipients will include a wide range of service providers and non-profits, and funds will be distributed through the channels of three national-level funding organizations: the Canadian Red Cross, Community Foundations of Canada, and United Way Centraid Canada.
As the volunteers and paperwork flow in and out of her office, Martha pauses for a moment to reflect. “I have the best job in the world!” she says.
Story by:
Christopher Cameron
