Two Niagara Organizations - Niagara Community Foundation and The Niagara Foundation—are similar in name and often confused. What’s the difference??
We are privileged to have so many incredible organizations, charities and non-profits, all working for the betterment of the community. With similar names it can get confusing to know who does what. The two words “Niagara” and “Foundation” are used in 25 registered charity names (Canada Revenue Agency). No wonder we get confused!
In Niagara-on-the-Lake two respected charities often get mistaken to be the same organization--The Niagara Foundation and Niagara Community Foundation. Let’s take a look at their differences.
Purpose
NIAGARA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | THE NIAGARA FOUNDATION |
| Niagara Community Foundation is a philanthropic organization established in 2000 that improves quality of life by serving registered charities in the Niagara Region. It is the charity of charities that turns intent into impact. Niagara Community Foundation connects donors with causes, and communities to resources through different types of permanent, endowed funds. Each year, Niagara Community Foundation grants over $3M to registered charities across Niagara, including in Niagara-on-the-Lake. The purpose of the organization is to support and reach all charity sectors including, but not limited to, healthcare, environment, education, youth, food security, housing, arts and culture, sports and recreation and animal welfare. | The Niagara Foundation was established as a voluntary charitable organization in 1962 to promote the history, traditions and culture of the Niagara area. This mandate includes the preservation of, and advocacy for, the significant historical structures within the villages and rural areas comprising Niagara-on-the-Lake. The Niagara Foundation’s extensive record of leading the renovation and repurposing of heritage buildings, and financial contributions to others, is achieved through project-by-project fundraising efforts. The Foundation’s focus in recent years, with development pressures causing erosion of heritage streetscapes, has turned to advocacy and analysis of development matters. |
Structure
NIAGARA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | THE NIAGARA FOUNDATION |
| Niagara Community Foundation is run by an Executive Director Bryan Rose, an administrative team, board of directors and many volunteer working groups, including local community committees. The NOTL Committee was established in 2016 by former Lord Mayor Pat Darte to specifically reach local Niagara-on-the-Lake charities. Current volunteer members include Nancy Bailey, Mike Berlis (chair), Ann-Louise Branscombe, Patrick Darte, Mario Ferrara, Andrew Niven and Debi Pratt. | The Niagara Foundation is a 100% volunteer-run organization, started by Niagara-on-the-Lake residents Gerry Woll, Fred Marsh and Norman Howe among others. Current directors include Lyle Hall (Chair), Sam Ridesic (Vice Chair), Michael Fox (Secretary), Weston Miller (Treasurer), Albrecht Seeger, Bruce Caughill, Clare Cameron, Jane Dagg, Paul Shepherd (past Chair) and Richard Merritt (past Chair). |
Graphic Focus
NIAGARA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | THE NIAGARA FOUNDATION |
| While Niagara Community Foundation was established to serve all 12 municipalities in Niagara, our region is made up of many different communities, each having a unique history. This is why the NOTL Community Committee ensures that Niagara Community Foundation's impact is felt locally in Niagara-on-the-Lake, garnering support from local donors and making an impact on local charities | The five villages and rural areas within the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake including Old Town, Virgil, St. David’s, Queenston and Glendale. |
Impact
NIAGARA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | THE NIAGARA FOUNDATION |
| Since 2016 over $1M has been granted to over 30 Niagara-on-the-Lake charities through both Donor Directed and application-based Discretionary grants. Across Niagara, Niagara Community Foundation has granted over $27.5M since 2000 and has an asset base of over $82M.Niagara Community Foundation consists of 400+ endowment funds; 40+ holders are NOTL residents, businesses and organizations. | Past restoration projects include the Niagara Apothecary, William Gollop House, William Steward House and the Foghorn House as well as financial contributions to preserve local cemeteries, repair church buildings and improve heritage residences. The Niagara Foundation was a vocal opponent to development of the former lawn bowling lands, instead supporting the creation of Voices of Freedom Park.The Niagara Foundation recently announced the acquisition of The Wilderness (407 King Street) a 5-acre land parcel with extensive natural, Indigenous, military, political and horticultural history. The Wilderness is one of the many attributes that makes Niagara-on-the-Lake unique and distinctive. |
For more information about Niagara Community Foundation visit: www.niagaracommunityfoundation.org.
For more information about the Niagara Foundation visit: www.theniagarafoundation.com
