Donor Spotlight

Discover Why John & Lindae Thomas Chose to Give to the Delta Community Foundation

Discover Why Ben & Gwen Martin, Owners of Evolution Fulfillment & Ape Ship Courier and Freight, Decided to Support the Delta Community Foundation

How did you hear about the Delta Community Foundation?

Gwen and I had been nominated for the Community Impact Award at the Delta Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards. During the dinner, I was seated next to Vicky Huntington, who introduced me to the DCF. As we talked about my family’s background in the non-profit sector, our conversation naturally turned to fundraising ideas.That night, I came up with the idea of hosting a warehouse sale, selling excess stock that fashion brands were looking to offload. When I discovered that the DCF could potentially issue tax receipts for donated products, it became an easy pitch to my clients. This conversation led to two successful warehouse sales, organized in collaboration with DCF staff and Telus volunteers at the Harris Barn, ultimately raising nearly $100,000 for the DCF.

What inspired you to choose the Delta Community Foundation for your charitable giving?

I was truly impressed by the DCF’s role as the charity for Delta charities, ensuring that many local organizations benefit from its financial contributions. Equally inspiring were the Board members and volunteers, whose dedication to making a difference for everyone in Delta stood out. Their strong connections to the business and political communities, combined with the integrity and transparency in how they operated, made a lasting impact on me.

Can you share the thought process behind how you decided to contribute to the Delta Community Foundation?

Growing up in the non-profit sector, I saw my mother’s relentless dedication to making a difference and the constant struggle to secure the funding needed to stay viable. As a serial entrepreneur, I’m always seeking ways to improve efficiency, profitability, and sustainability. This led me to ask: How can I support a charity through social enterprise in a way that is not only impactful but also profitable, scalable, and sustainable?

In your opinion, who benefits most from your donation to the Delta Community Foundation, and how? 

Growing up in the non-profit sector, I witnessed firsthand the challenges of raising funds for annual operational costs. Ensuring financial stability allows dedicated individuals to continue making a meaningful impact. Rather than endowing funds to specific initiatives, I chose to donate directly to operational expenses, believing this would have the greatest benefit for Delta residents and the DCF.

What unique qualities or values do you believe set the Delta Community Foundation apart from other charitable organizations you’ve considered?

I believe that all charities in Delta are deeply committed and make a tremendous impact on the community. No single organization is better than another, as each is wholeheartedly dedicated to its cause. What ultimately stood out to me was that by working with the DCF, I could support and make a difference for all of these incredible charities at once.

Learn why Carlene & Rick Lewall chose to support the Delta Community Foundation

Why did we choose DCF?

It was important to our family that the money donated would give forever.  Both charities we chose are important to us and we wished to ensure that each year they would receive funds that they can use for the valuable work that they do.

The Delta Community Foundation has the history and capability to make sure our gift keeps giving. We are fortunate to have a trusted Foundation here in Delta to assist the Charities and be a giving  tool for all in Delta.

We also appreciate that there is the opportunity for others who also believe in our chosen charities, to give to this fund.  As we, and others, give to the fund, more money will annually benefit Delta Gymnastics Society and Food on the Corner.
 
Who will benefit from your gift to the Delta Community Foundation?

Delta Gymnastics Society will benefit from this endowment. Gymnastics has been a part of Carlene’s life for 50 years.  It is a foundational sport/activity that benefits all children as it gives them the base needed for physical literacy development. To support physical literacy through Gymnastics is taking a proactive approach to overall health!

The second endowment supports Food on the Corner.  Rick has been an active member of Food on the Corner for 27 years and believes in supporting unhoused people in the downtown Vancouver East side. This South Delta based charity is 100% volunteer run, feeding a nutritious meal to the unhoused at noon each Saturday at Cordova and Main Street. Creating an endowment for Food on the Corner means that they are guaranteed an annual income from the endowment in perpetuity.  For smaller charities like Food on the Corner this income is important for their annual budget.

How would you characterize the distinct qualities that set the Delta Community Foundation apart from other charitable organizations?

We have lived in Delta (Tsawwassen) for 46 years, a wonderful unique community to raise a family, work and play.  We value that Delta has its own Community Foundation. Foundations play a vital role in strengthening the fabric of a community by providing an efficient, long-term way for donors to support grassroots charities they care about—or any Canadian charity that matters to them—while witnessing the impact of their contributions. It’s a unique advantage to see the positive changes a gift brings to the local community and comforting to know this impact will last for generations.

Rick and I firmly believe that the Delta Community Foundation deeply values us as donors and will ensure our chosen charities will benefit for more than a lifetime. Supporting the Delta Community Foundation is more than a donation—it’s a lasting commitment and partnership.

Learn why the Rushton family made the decision to support the Delta Community Foundation

Why did your family choose to give a charitable gift to the Delta Community Foundation?

We wanted to ensure our gift kept giving forever. The Delta Community Foundation manages all aspects of Endowments – gifts in perpetuity.

It would have been great if we had the financial resources to make an immediate significant gift to establish a permanent endowment but other priorities wouldn’t allow that option right away, so we decided to establish an “Emerging Fund.” We knew with annual contributions over a couple of years the Fund would reach the point where it became a “named” permanent Trust Fund.  At the same time, I added a significant future gift through my Will in order for the named fund to be permanently endowed, and have a greater impact for the beneficiary.

Who will benefit from your gift to the Delta Community Foundation?

The BC Cancer Society has been very much part of our family’s lives as several of us have needed their help as we battled cancer.  Thus, the BC Cancer Society will receive the annual earned interest on the endowed funds. The community of Delta is also a beneficiary as the capital gains on the invested funds will support all kinds of charitable work in Delta.

What do you feel are the benefits of creating a Trust/Endowment through the Delta Community Foundation?

I am confident that the Delta Community Foundation’s Directors and staff will be effective managers of our gift and our charitable intentions. Some important benefits, from my point of view, are that it provides us the opportunity to include our family in the decision making process, to increase their philanthropic awareness, and they know that the Foundation will continue to be in touch with them going forward after I am no longer a factor. The opportunity to create a “named endowment” in memory of our daughter in law was also important.

How would you characterize the distinct qualities that set the Delta Community Foundation apart from other charitable organizations?

The Delta Community Foundation is unique in that it allows donors to support BOTH a Canadian charitable cause they feel passionate about and the community we live in. The real advantage of this is the real life opportunity to witness, see, sense and feel the impact of a donor’s gift in the daily life of the local community.

In my experience, the Delta Community Foundation has always been donor sensitive and understands the value of donor stewardship. So, an investment in the Delta Community Foundation is more than just a gift, it’s a long term commitment and partnership.

Evolution Fulfillment & Ape Ship Courier and Freight

Thank you to Evolution Fulfillment & Ape Ship Courier and Freight, the sponsors of two successful warehouse sales. These sales, held over two weekends at Harris Barn in Ladner, enabled the Delta Community Foundation to raise proceeds to fund administrative costs for the Foundation. Thanks to these donor sponsors, the Delta Community Foundation is able to keep our overall administrative costs at 1.4%.