19 Aug Changes coming to the Sunshine Coast Foundation

The Board of Directors of the Sunshine Coast Foundation announces that, after five years at the helm, Wendy Francis will retire as Executive Director early in 2022. Wendy joined the Foundation in January 2017 and has provided strong leadership that has supported a period of solid growth.

When Wendy first joined us, the Foundation’s invested assets stood at $3.8 Million. Today, thanks to our generous Sunshine Coast Community and the prudence of our investment managers, the Foundation is stewarding more than $7.5 Million.

This growth has enhanced our ability to financially support our community. In 2016, the Foundation awarded $136,000 in grants to local charities. This year, grants will top $400,000. Since Wendy became Executive Director, the Foundation has awarded more than $1.3 Million in local grants, bringing the total awarded since 2005 to more than $2 Million.

Donations have also grown steadily over the past five years. In 2017, generous donors gifted $343,000. This year, donations will exceed $1.5 Million.

The number of endowed funds with the Foundation grew from 46 at the start of Wendy’s tenure to 76 today.

Among Wendy’s achievements are shepherding a name change and new look, implementing new software that has greatly improved financial tracking and accuracy, improving our communications with donors and the community, facilitating positive changes to our granting program, increasing resources for operations, and hiring additional staff.

The Board extends its warmest appreciation to Wendy for her commitment and steady leadership over the past five years. Wendy will enjoy retirement from her home in Gibsons.

The process for seeking the next leader of the Foundation will start in the next few weeks, with the goal of naming the next Executive Director by the end of the year. Please contact Board Chair, Manjit Kang, at mskang@telus.net with any questions.

Interested in learning more about the Sunshine Coast Foundation? Read about the history of the organization and find our Vision and Mission here.