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By rdnewsNOW staff

Power of Collaboration

Donation of $500,000 in securities to fund new preschool building at Kerry Wood Nature Centre

Sep 29, 2024 | 2:51 PM

In an inspiring act of generosity, a donor has made a substantial $500,000 donation of securities to fund a new preschool building at the Kerry Wood Nature Centre in Red Deer.

Officials with the Community Foundation of Central Alberta (CFCAB) say this smart financial approach not only supports local education but also demonstrates how creative financial solutions can benefit the community.

It’s noted the transfer of these securities was facilitated by the Community Foundation of Central Alberta, showcasing the power of collaboration between donors and organizations dedicated to improving the quality of life in central Alberta.

“The Community Foundation was instrumental in facilitating this gift from our donor,” said Todd Nivens, Executive Director of the Waskasoo Environmental Education Society (WEES). “We do not have the financial infrastructure to convert shares to cash. The Community Foundation stepped in and charted the path forward for us. Without the Foundation, the final transaction between WEES and our donors would have been immeasurably more difficult.”

“This is an excellent example of the role the Community Foundation was created to play,” said Erin Peden, Executive Director of the Community Foundation. “Our job is to connect philanthropists with the causes that matter to them, and in this case, it was as simple as providing a resource to accept marketable securities and flow those funds through to the project in need.”

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Officials say the vision for the new preschool building includes floor to ceiling glass doors, bathrooms, a kitchen, and modern building with insulating technology to give the building an incredibly small environmental footprint.

Officials say creating a preschool in such a unique setting offers young learners the opportunity to engage with the natural world around them, with access to outdoor activities, interactive learning experiences, and a curriculum that emphasizes environmental stewardship. The hope is that this new space will help the little attendees grow into adults who value nature and the outdoors.

Nivens is encouraged by the community support, and the value that a donor has seen in creating a special anchoring place specifically for the smallest nature explorers to call their own.

“We can offer potential donors the opportunity to make a lasting impact on children and nature in Red Deer. With the Community Foundation of Central Alberta in our corner, we are able to work with all potential partners and offer them a range of options to support our efforts,” said Nivens.

“We are thrilled to continue to develop these types of relationships within central Alberta,” said Peden. “What a joy it is to see such incredible projects thrive!”

As the community eagerly anticipates the opening of the preschool, officials say this generous donation underscores the importance of philanthropy in enhancing educational opportunities. The organization says the efforts of a forward-thinking donor serve as a reminder that investing in our children’s future is an investment in our community as a whole.

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