About Us
01What is the Saanich Peninsula Community Foundation?
The Foundation encourages gifts to its permanent community fund. Gifts, both small and large, are pooled and invested. Returns on the invested funds are then distributed by annual grants to worthy Saanich Peninsula charitable organizations. The capital of the permanent community fund grows with each new gift, generating increased returns to be granted to a wide range of local community initiatives for years to come.
02Who is the Saanich Peninsula Community Foundation?
The Foundation is run by a volunteer Board of Directors, all community-minded Saanich Peninsula residents. The Foundation has no paid staff.
03Our Mission
To enrich the quality of life for Saanich Peninsula Residents by encouraging donations to the Foundation, investing the donations in a permanent endowment fund, identifying worthy local charitable initiatives, and making annual disbursements of interest to these charities.
Current Board of Directors
Raised on the bald prairies, for over 35 years Tim has worked in the not-for-profit world. Today he is a partner in Emergo Philanthropy supporting small non-profits. Tim tries living life according to the axiom, “have hope, take risks and seek harmony…but above all be kind.”
Julie Coward, co-owner of Holy Cow Communication Design, has been a part of the local marketing scene for over 25 years. She feels fortunate to be connected to our business community and loves the unique life/work harmony found on the peninsula. As a newcomer to the Saanich Peninsula Community Foundation, Julie is excited to be involved in helping her community by supporting small organizations and making this an even better place to live.
Janis has been involved in the Saanich Peninsula for over 20 years. After growing up here, she returned to raise her family.
As a Central Saanich police officer, she ran programs like Block Watch, Seniors Safety, Business Watch, and the Brentwood Bay Community Police Office. Now retired, she is a professional photographer for Seaside Magazine, volunteers for non-profits, and is part of the Sidney Pride Committee.
Community involvement is integral to Janis’s life, and she’s happy to be involved with the SP-CF.
Darrel chose to call the Saanich Peninsula home back in 2000. Having visited many times in the nine years previous, he understands that BC is the most beautiful place on earth, and the Peninsula has something very special. Having been raised with the understanding that your home is what you make it, he has a passion about making our home a better place for all to enjoy
Doug Guedes is a senior partner at SeaFirst Insurance Brokers. He is a past President of the Saanich Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, Sidney Business Association, and the Insurance Brokers Association of British Columbia. He has served on the Board of the Saanich Peninsula Community Foundation since 2000. He has been known to enjoy a game of golf.
Ian Brown moved to the Saanich Peninsula in 2007 when he established Tower Kitchens and Millwork. His community involvement began with efforts to promote affordable housing, as a Director and then President of the Saanich Peninsula Chamber of Commerce. A long time Rotarian – currently with the Rotary Club of Sidney by the Sea – he is particularly passionate about community and International projects that help young people be all they can be.
Deborah moved to the Saanich Peninsula in 2007, and quickly became involved in many community groups including the 1st Tsartlip Scouts, the Friends of North Saanich Bike Park and the PAC at Deep Cove Elementary. As a writer and communications specialist Deborah knows the importance of sharing the Foundation’s values and goals widely to support as many community projects as possible.
Charles Long is a long time resident of Greater Victoria and has lived with his wife Linda on the Saanich Peninsula for 22 years. A graduate of UVIC his business career was in banking and finance. Charles has been involved with many charities such as CIBC Children’s Miracle Day, Habitat for Humanity and has been an active member of Sidney by the Sea Rotary for 22 years.
To come
Your contribution will be earmarked by the Foundation and invested in a permanent endowment fund.