John Lees would be proud. But no doubt the man who first envisioned the creation of the Salt Spring Island Foundation would also be astonished at the Foundation’s legacy over the past 30 years. By 2014, it had granted the amazing sum of over $1.5 million to help support the work of local charities.

On Sunday, August 24, from 12 to 3 p.m., the Salt Spring Island Foundation is celebrating its 30th anniversary with a community party at Centennial Park. The party is a wonderful opportunity for community members to come together with Foundation volunteers and representatives of island non-profit organizations to enjoy a summer afternoon in the park and learn more about the Foundation and its partners.

The Foundation has come a long way since John C. Lees first conceived of establishing a community endowment fund. Lees died on March 1, 1984, just five days before the Salt Spring Island Foundation was registered as a Public Foundation with Revenue Canada in Ottawa; his $10,000 bequest was the first donation to the Community Endowment Fund. Alan Pierce, Colin Mouat and Richard Toynbee were the first three trustees.

For several years, the Foundation languished, but between 1991 and 2006, under the chairmanship of Bob Rush, the Community Endowment Fund swelled from around $25,000 to $2 million. According to Carol Biely, who now chairs the Foundation’s Board of Directors, “Bob was, and is, devoted to the idea of the Foundation and spent countless hours over many years encouraging islanders to support the fund and then watch the impact our grants have made to island organizations. Most people living on the island have been touched by a Foundation grant in some way, and Bob should take much of the credit for its success.” His experience and knowledge of the island is still valued by other members of the Grants Advisory Committee.

Since Carol Biely succeeded Bob Rush as Foundation chair in 2006, the organization has continued to flourish. In 2014, the Community Endowment Fund now approaches $6 million, mainly due to loyal donors and hard-working Board and committee volunteers. Over 80 local non-profit organizations have benefitted from Foundation grants since 1984. This means that the Foundation has contributed to almost all of the island’s important community projects and charitable institutions. This year, the Foundation expects to grant over $150,000.

The Foundation’s role has also evolved over the past 30 years. It now takes a more active part in assessing community priorities, such as the 2012 Community Needs Survey, and works with non-profit organizations to help address community challenges.

Sunday’s party will feature a talented lineup of local musicians: Alan Moberg, Wesley Hardisty, The Gaia Soul Sistahs and Suzanne Gay. Biely says, “This will be a fun event with great music and refreshments. We’ll even have a kid’s area with face painting, so it will be a real family party. It’s our thank you to Salt Spring for generously supporting the Foundation and local charities over the years. Even though there are many needs still to be filled in our community, we have plenty of reasons to celebrate!”