Our History

The idea for the Quadra Island Foundation (QIF) took root in 2020. That spring, Michael Mascall and Matthew Kelly met after a community networking function to discuss how Quadra Island was indeed ripe for its very own community foundation. The reality of the COVID-19 pandemic made this goal more pressing. To make this aspiration real, they had to grow! Desiring both accomplished skills and board diversity, they soon invited Julie Douglas, Mitsuru (Mich) Hirano and Jody Rodgers to join them. This eclectic, passionate, and skilled group became the founding, volunteer board. Since then, QIF’s board membership has gradually grown with each new member richly contributing to our collective experience, dedication, creativity and comradery.

QIF offers special thanks to the Campbell River, Salt Spring Island and Bowen Island Foundations for their invaluable early support. Thanks also to those Quadra community members who had previously considered the idea of a foundation as they, too, tilled the ground with their philanthropic intentions.

QIF was incorporated under the BC Societies Act on Aug.18, 2020, and received charitable status on March 3, 2021. Also in 2021, QIF became a member of the Community Foundations of Canada, the umbrella organization of almost 200 community foundations across Canada. Community Foundations of Canada continues to offer valuable encouragement and resources to QIF.

In its inaugural year, QIF benefitted from the financial support of founding board members, an anonymous donor, as well as Strathcona Regional District, the Campbell River Community Foundation and Coastal Community Credit Union. These initial donations helped cover costs to register as a community foundation and charitable organization and provided the money to develop a website and logo—in partnership with Quadra Island’s Sarah James.

Upon reaching its second anniversary March 2022, donations from individuals and organizations had risen to approximately $33,000. A portion of this amount consisted of Flow-Through Funds supporting the following community projects:

• Seniors’ Housing ($2,000)
• Quadra Elementary School (ICAN solar panels project $9,000)

Additionally, QIF created its first permanent Endowed Fund of $10,000 invested through the Vancouver Foundation’s Socially Responsible Investment Fund. This inaugural fund continues to grow through community donations, generating income for future grants to support vital community projects. Remaining funds became seed money for future investments and Foundation development.

If you are interested in making a tax-deductible donation to support the Quadra Island Foundation, please click here.