Media Release

November 24, 2004

Two Ottawans to attend international philanthropy event in Berlin

Ottawa community foundation will have strong representation at worldwide symposium.

(OTTAWA, On.) – Two representatives from the Community Foundation of Ottawa (CFO) have been invited exclusively to be among the pacesetters at an international gathering in Berlin dedicated to the community foundation movement. Joining 180 of their colleagues from 35 countries will be Dr. Maureen Molot, Chair of the Board of Governors and Barbara McInnes, President & CEO. Ottawa will have particularly strong representation at this event, accounting for a quarter of the Canadian contingent attending – and a clear testament to the high regard the CFO garners among foundations worldwide.

After a decade of unparalleled growth, representatives of community foundations from every corner of the globe are meeting to promote civil society, local decision-making and philanthropy.

From December 2-4 2004, Germany will play host to Community foundations: Symposium on a global movement in Berlin. For the first time ever, the role of community foundations in a global context will be explored.

“This is a fantastic opportunity to share with the world the knowledge and expertise we’ve attained at a local level. The experiences we’ve had in Ottawa can help other blossoming foundations,” says McInnes. “The opportunity to learn from other regions and make practical use of that knowledge is just as exciting. This is a truly global summit.”

The other Canadian delegates are:

Richard Patrick Bridge Parksville-Qualicum Community Foundation
Rick Frost The Winnipeg Foundation
Richard Mulcaster Vancouver Foundation Canada
Barbara Oates Community Foundations of Canada
Betsy Martin Community Foundations of Canada
Monica Patten Community Foundations of Canada

An important aim of the Symposium is to promote more academic research on community foundation issues and is breaking new ground by inviting academic researchers to participate.

Tim Brodhead, President and CEO of Canada’s J.W. McConnell Family Foundation has been chosen by the international committee to present the opening keynote address, exploring the role of philanthropy and foundations in the current global environment.

More than 1100 community foundations now exist worldwide in 42 countries. The movement experienced explosive growth following the fall of communism in Central and Eastern Europe and the post-apartheid era, when efforts were focused on supporting the creation of new political, economic and social structures at the local level.

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Contacts:
Barbara McInnes, President and CEO, Community Foundation of Ottawa
(613) 236-1616 ext. 227

For more information about Community Foundations: Symposium on a global movement, go to www.cfsymposium.org Papers presented at the symposium will be available for downloading from mid-December 2004.

The Community Foundation of Ottawa (CFO)

The Community Foundation of Ottawa (CFO) is an independent centre for community philanthropy, serving as a trusted resource for addressing issues and connecting donors with granting opportunities. It plays a major role in enhancing the nature and scope of philanthropy, primarily in the local community but also nationally and internationally. It attracts and manages a growing endowment, the invested earnings of which provide grants that will be available forever to enhance the quality of life for all in the region.

With a growing profile the Community Foundation of Ottawa, has built an enviable reputation for astute financial management, high quality donor services, strategic grantmaking and innovative partnerships.

Web site: www.communityfoundationottawa.ca