YORKTON - Charities in Yorkton and district received $6,500 in grants from the Yorkton and District Community Foundation at its annual meeting March 28, bringing the total distributed by the YDCF over its first three years of operation to $182,000.
Successful applications to the annual grants program came from the Krepakevich Fund for Families to SIGN Family Support for $1,625 and the Melville Arts Council for $888. Grants from the Mental Health Fund were made to Dr. Brass School ($1,399) and Big Brother Big Sisters Yorkton and Area ($226). General Community Fund grants were made to Yorkton Arts Council for $781, Godfrey Dean Art Gallery for $800 and Rail City Industries in Melville for $781.
Gene Krepakevich, who passed away in 2022, was remembered as a visionary community leader and an early champion of the YDCF. Gene and his wife Gladys were among the first donors and over three years continued to give. Krepakevich Fund for Families is an endowed fund that generates grants for programs to help families in need.
The Krepakevichs did not wish to limit the grants to Yorkton; they were willing to support projects in any community within the district. Gifts in memoriam from friends and family, and contributions by other donors who share their vision have added to the donations made by them, and the principle amount of the fund now sits at more than $75,000.
In its first two years with the YDCF the fund has issued grants on behalf of the Krepakevich family totalling $5,902 and the principle remains intact to generate future grants.
Ray Bailey, President of the Community Foundation noted that although awareness of the Community Foundation was slowed by the pandemic, donations are steadily increasing with 49 donors contributing over $50,000 in 2022 so that the endowment grant pool will continue to grow and generate annual grants. Memorial donations were received in 2022 for Krepakevich and Elsie Sakal.
Representatives from many of the local charities were on hand for the one-hour AGM and a video with messages from last year's grant recipients was played thanking donors for the grants and explaining the good that came from those contributions to their programs. Two attendees learned of some of the needs in the area identified during a November survey sent by YDCF to over 40 local charities and heard how many local concerns are echoed in the Food Banks of Canada 2022 HungerReport.
Among the business of the meeting was a farewell to Sharon Tropin and Abi Adefolarin who are stepping down from the board along with City of Yorkton representative Lisa Washington. Sharon and Lisa had both served more than five years, first on the steering committee that founded the organization and on the board of directors since the 2019 launch. Elected for new two-year terms to the board were David Balysky representing the City of Yorkton, and Darlene Stakiw. Re-elected was Ray Bailey.
Board members are elected for two-year terms, and may serve three consecutive terms. Those continuing to serve are Andrew Rae, Candace Tendler, Trevor Plews, Victor Surjik and Dick DeRyk.
The Annual Report and Financial Statements for 2022 were presented at the meeting, and can be found on the YDCF website, . Persons interested in learning more are also welcome to contact any board members.
YDCF uses only the earnings from its endowment funds to make grants only to other registered charities in Yorkton and district. Each year in January charities are invited to apply for grants, which are announced at the annual general meeting held in March.
