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Who are we?

The Rural Communities Foundation of Nova Scotia (RCF) is an emerging charitable foundation governed by a volunteer Board of Directors from across the province.

What is a community foundation?

Community foundations are locally-run public foundations that build and manage endowment funds to support charitable activities in their area. They have three main functions:

1. Endowment Building/Donor Service
Community foundations pool the charitable gifts of many donors to create permanent, income-bearing endowment funds, which form a nest egg that will always be there to benefit the community. These funds allow donors to connect with issues and organizations that matter most to them and maximize the impact of their donations.

2. Grantmaking
Community foundations use the income earned by invested funds to provide grants to a wide range of charitable organizations to improve quality of life.

3. Community Leadership
Community foundations take a leadership role in bringing together the entire community to identify and address issues of community concern.

Who Will Benefit from RCFNS Work?

For the donor...
A gift to the Rural Communities Foundation of Nova Scotia provides the most flexible and enduring vehicle for charitable giving. It is a gift that is never used up, but keeps on giving year after year.
For the grant recipient
Grants from the RCF will provide recipients with much needed support for charitable activities that are essential to capacity-building and the long-term sustainability of Nova Scotias coastal and rural communities.
For the community
Ultimately it is our communities and the people living, working and doing business in our communities who will benefit from the work of the RCF.

Donations

If you are interested in making a donation or learning more about your donation options, please email us at info@ruralcommunitiesfdn.ca


“Why the Lupine?”

The Rural Communities Foundation of Nova Scotia selected the wild lupines as their logo. The lupines, like rural communities, contribute to the matchless beauty of Nova Scotia’s landscape. Scattered along the highways and coastlines the lupines bring a dazzling image of colourful living. The lupine is a member of the pea family and grows best in open moist spaces, now you can make the connection between the lupines and rural Nova Scotia.

This photo, by Pam Harrison, was taken in the small rural community of Minudie on the shores of the Bay of Fundy. Before Confederation Amos (King) Seaman built the community’s economy by trading hay and grindstones around the world. He died in 1865 but his memory lives on in the legacy he left behind as a result of his generosity. (Still standing proudly in the community are the school and two churches he built.) We can all leave a legacy, be it large or small. How will your memory live on?

A gift from the chair of the Rural Communities Foundation of Nova Scotia.
pamharrison@ns.sympatico.ca

The granting program for 2009 is closed
The Rural Leadership Initiative granting program will continue in 2010 with guidelines and application form available in September and applications will be received in October.

Rural Nova Scotia Issues
by Dr. Greg Cameron, NSAC,
funded by Rural Communities Foundation.
The objective of this report is to produce an annotated list of the principle issues that confront rural communities in Nova Scotia.
Click here for the full report
OUR MISSION:
To build on the strengths and assets of Nova Scotias coastal and rural communities by encouraging philanthropic giving, developing a permanent endowment and managing the granting of funds.

OUR VISION:
A dynamic, healthy and prosperous future for Nova Scotias coastal and rural communities.

OUR VALUES:
We believe in the inherent value of coastal and rural communities and the important contribution they make to the nature and quality of our province
We believe in being responsible and accountable to our donors, our grantees and our communities
We believe in being open and transparent in our work
We believe that wellness and life-long learning are integral parts of community capacity building.

A DEFINING STATEMENT:
The Rural Communities Foundation of Nova Scotia supports community based initiatives which:
  seek to improve understanding of issues facing rural and coastal   communities in Nova Scotia
  offer solutions to problems and challenges of rural and coastal   Nova Scotia
  create an environment that enhances and sustains rural and   coastal Nova Scotia

Pam Harrison - Chair
As chair of the Rural Communities Foundation of Nova Scotia I welcome you to walk around our web page to learn more about us and our wonderful work in rural Nova Scotia. Over the past three years we have had the privilege of working with 24 groups in 19 rural communities. It is amazing what a group of dedicated volunteers can do with a small amount of money – go to Success Stories.

We are a working board of enthusiastic volunteers. Our purpose is to operate the foundation with low administration costs and high results to benefit rural communities. Board members serve for three year terms and give freely of their time and talent to attend two full day meetings in Elmsdale, NS and all other meetings are conducted by conference calls. Committees function in a similar manner. If you are interested in learning more about the board - go to Board.

The Rural Communities Foundation of Nova Scotia is a valuable member of the Community Foundations of Canada (CFC) and has the benefit of their expertise. We serve all of rural Nova Scotia and are open to partnership with other organizations. We offer charitable tax receipts for all donations and can arrange for flow through granting opportunities. If you are a group or individual seeking ways to support rural communities and their issues, maybe we should talk. Please feel free to call me at (902) 251-2549

Chair, Pam Harrison
River Hebert, NS

For more information about Community Foundations across Canada, visit Community Foundations of Canada at: www.community-fdn.ca