Secure the Future for “Your Home Away from Home”

The SSAC has no yearly guaranteed funding from government or any other source. All our income comes from activity fees and food services and rentals. Extra funding and donations are needed to meet the extensive financial demands of maintaining the centre. Last year expenses were over $650,000, which we managed to meet. However, there is a continual challenge to raise funds. In September 2023 we launched three donation programs. Affordable Lunch, General Revenue and an Endowment fund. The Affordable Lunch program has been overwhelmingly successful and along with the online 50/50 is allowing us to keep the meal prices low whilst still providing production to meet the increased demand for frozen meals. Donations to the General Revenue program have been invaluable to help meet maintenance needs. Owning the building gives us tremendous financial security, with an assessed value of $2.74 million. However, it means we are responsible for all aspects of maintenance and repair. The Endowment fund is a way to ensure our long-term financial security. The fund is administered by the Sunshine Coast Foundation and delivers an interest-based grant to us each year. This fund has been largely ignored by donors with a current balance of approximately only $25,000.

However, we did receive a grant from the foundation this year of just under $1,000. The larger we build the fund the larger that guaranteed yearly income will be. That is what will help ensure our long-term financial security.

We have promoted the fund in the past as a good vehicle for legacy donations through wills or in memoriam gifts. Board member Andre Casaubon is a major proponent of the Endowment Fund, having donated five thousand dollars to it himself. He has enthusiastically taken on the role of promoting donations to the fund. So you will see him actively promoting the fund around the centre.

Some members have asked us about scheduled monthly donations to the SSAC. Unfortunately, we do not have a mechanism for this. However, the Sunshine Coast Foundation does, and monthly donations can be set up into our Endowment fund.

To donate to the SSAC Endowment Fund:

  • Visit sunshinecoast.fcsuite.com, then in the search bar enter “Sechelt Seniors Activity Centre” and follow the prompts.
  • Mail a cheque payable to “Sunshine Coast Foundation” to the Sunshine Coast Foundation P.O. Box 1343, Sechelt BC V0N 3A0, with direction to deposit into the SSAC Endowment Fund