The work of a community foundation goes beyond receiving and managing donations.  In many circumstances, we collaborate with individuals and groups to support targeted causes, and match the resources available with the needs of the community.  I'd like to share a unique example in this month's column of how community foundations can work with other charities to support their specific work.

SRS Vocational Services Society (SRS) provided a wide range of employment programs for adults with special needs in Surrey.  I'm sure their name is familiar to many of you, as the organization successfully served Surrey residents for over three decades.

Due to changes in both Federal and Provincial funding, SRS could no longer effectively carry out its mandate and in the fall of 2005, the organization had no choice but to close its doors.  SRS had a great vision and it successfully helped thousands of individuals in our community.

After the expenses were taken care of, SRS had approximately $500,000 leftover.  SRS Board of Directors wanted to ensure its legacy would live on and that the funds could continue to help individuals with special needs integrate into the mainstream workforce.

In my last column, we discussed Agency Endowment Funds - where a charity creates its own fund to support its own purpose in perpetuity.  In the fall of 2006, the Surrey Foundation worked with SRS to establish the "SRS Vocational Rehabilitation Fund", a very unique example of an Agency Endowment Fund.  Today, SRS' capital is held in perpetuity and provides a lasting legacy to SRS and the work of the many staff and board members.

Even though SRS has closed its doors, the organization's mission to help people with special needs will live on as the Surrey Foundation continues to grant funds to various non-profits each year.  In 2007, invested income from the fund supported grants to the Down Syndrome Foundation and Semiahmoo House Society to support their life skills programs for the coming year.