Going forward with new leadership
By Colten Kamlade, Staff Reporter
The Douglas College Foundation announced new executives on August 2.
This year’s executive team includes Paul Holden, Nick Cheng, Wendy Lindvik, Neal Nicholson, Darlene Hyde, and executive director Leanne Poon. Formed in 1985, the foundation gives aid to students through bursaries, scholarships, and awards, all through the generosity of their donors. The upcoming Athletic Scholarship Breakfast is just one of the many events that they host to help raise funds for students. Another annual event is DO Business on the Green, which gives participants an opportunity to network while testing their skills on the golf course.
Poon said that over the next year the Douglas College Foundation means to continue their work of “[Securing] philanthropic support to recognize academic achievement, community involvement and support students who have financial need.”
One way in which they intend to do this is through their match program, according to Poon.
“This is a tremendous way to be able to increase funding available for students and increase the number of students who will benefit,” she said. “The match program will match up to $1,500 for gifts to any annual or endowed fund until the matching funds are depleted. A $1,000 donation—$83.33 per month—will provide students with $2,500 in funding!”
Poon said the foundation also means to focus on “connecting with donors and volunteers to identify ways in which they would like to be connected or engaged in ways that are most meaningful to them.”
Essentially, the foundation aims be more involved with their donors, according to Poon, whether through “stories, events, endowment or fund updates and the opportunity to have personalized communication.”
The aim is to “demonstrate that our donors and friends have made the right choice in supporting Douglas College, the Foundation and our students,” said Poon.
The foundation assists up to 2,000 students annually, which is about 14 per cent of all students who attend Douglas College. Without the foundation’s support, many Douglas College alumni may have never achieved their goals. The foundation will continue to support students throughout the coming year.
