The Brokenhead River Community Foundation (BRCF) recently received its largest one-time gift to date. The gift was left to the Foundation in a will from the proceeds of an Estate of a former resident.  

“On behalf of the Foundation, and more importantly our Community, we are very grateful to receive $200,000 gift from the Estate of William (Bill) Radford.” stated Foundation President Reg Black. “What an incredible gesture by Bill to include the local Foundation as a benefactor from his Estate”.

The gift will be permanently invested with a portion of the interest earned going towards a Math Bursary with the Foundation. It will provide a bursary for a graduating student from Ecole Edward Schreyer School annually that is moving on to post secondary education in a math related field such as accounting, engineering, architecture, or business-related studies. Each awarded bursary will provide funding each year for up to four years if the student remains in a math related field of interest.  

“Bill has been a big supporter of the BRCF for some time”, added Black. “ Prior to his passing, for thirteen consecutive years Bill gifted $10,000/year to the Foundation to establish a science bursary. That bursary, because of its growth, is also now funding four students for four years – truly remarkable”.

The funds will be combined into the newly named Radford Science and Math Bursary Fund at the request of Bill’s nephew who is the Executor of the Radford Estate. Harv Rintoul stated “ I think it is appropriate that my Uncle should receive the recognition he deserves. Good deeds need to be acknowledged.”

“A gift from a will or estate is a great way for someone to provide a lasting legacy for their community;” Foundation Communications & Marketing Coordinator Danielle Gerylo added. “Not only are you forever helping your Community, but the estate receives a tax receipt which can provide significant benefits for the final tax filing of the deceased individual which can further benefit the estate”.

Black suggested that in the last few years there has been an increase from local residents looking to the Foundation as a way to benefit our Community. “ We have had some new funds created in family’s names or in memory of a loved one. And we are having more conversations with community members who have contacted the BRCF about options available to include the Foundation in their wills/estates planning.”

The Foundation recently celebrated its 25^th Anniversary and surpassed $1,000,000 in gifted funds earlier this year. All gifts – donations- are never spent with a portion of the interest earned gifted back to the community by way of grants to local community groups and organizations or by way of scholarships and bursaries to graduating students. Every year. Forever! To date, over $500,000 has gone back into the community, a number that will continue to grow.