In 1997, the City of Brantford celebrated its Sesquicentennial. During one of the committee meetings concerning the celebration, it was suggested that we have a lasting memorial to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the City.
Nine members of the community came together to form the first Board of Directors, with original donations totaling less than $1,000.00. With the wonderful transfer of funds from the Sheridan Place Corporation, our funds grew to over $1.5 million. The transfer of the C. Gordon Cockshutt Foundation and Blacker Benevolent Trust along with the generosity of community donors saw the fund surpassing the $5.8 million mark in 2007.
Many of our funds are unrestricted and are used to meet the changing needs of our community. For some funds, donors have stipulated specific charities to support. Donors may request that the Foundation direct the earnings from their fund to a particular area of interest; i.e. the performing arts, children at risk, seniors, etc.