SWG Foundation History
In 2002 the Emergency Fundraising Committee, chaired by Jo Bannatyne-Cugnet, was convened to address an urgent need for funds resulting from administrative turbulence in the organization. Aside from the immediate financial pressures, the committee determined a need to stabilize Guild financial resources over the long-term. As a result, a Foundations and Legacies Sub-committee was struck.
In their assessment, they concluded that there were a number of advantages to be realized by establishing a foundation to administer accumulated resources as trusts and endowments and to carry out fundraising activities on behalf of the Guild. Several administrative alternatives were considered and eventually it was decided that the Foundation would be self administered.
2005-2009
- In September, 2005, the SWG Board approved the establishment of the SWG Foundation with the following objectives:
To foster and promote an enriching environment for writing within the province of Saskatchewan by supporting the stated vision, mission and values of the Saskatchewan Writers’ Guild including the following broad objectives:
- advocate on behalf of writers and to improve their economic status
- foster a sense of community
- foster excellence in writing
- make writers and their work accessible to the public
- make writing and literature accessible at all levels of education
Providing financial assistance for the activities and projects of the Saskatchewan Writers’ Guild and, from time to time, other such activities and projects undertaken by organizations and individuals that support the stated vision, mission and values of the SWG and whose objectives and policies of operations are approved, on a project by project basis, by the SWG Board of Directors.
- These objectives were tied to the objectives and the financial operations/viability of the SWG and gave the Foundation the option to use Foundation monies to financially support non-SWG activities with SWG Board approval (e.g. the Sage Hill Scholarship).
- The Certificate of Incorporation was issued October 17, 2005.
- By December 2006 most trusts had been transferred to the Foundation. The Writers Assistance Fund remained with the SWG for ease of administration.
2009 to 2014
- Individuals used the trust option to develop funds of money to support particular programs.
- A liaison committee was initiated to coordinate fundraising goals and a survey of the membership was conducted to establish fundraising priorities.
- In 2010, upon the retirement of Susan Hogarth (SWG ED), a Facilitated Retreat Trust Fund was established.
- In November 2011, a signed agreement was reached between the SWG and the SWG Foundation to help clarify the roles.
- In 2012, a Legacy Project was started—this required a request to the CRA for written permission to accumulate property for the Acquisition and maintenance of a building to house offices of the SWG and other clients. This fund did not succeed and was disbursed in 2022.
2014-present
- On March 8, 2016, a motion was brought forth to appoint three SWG Board members to the Foundation board and to thank the SWG Foundation for their stewardship.
- The SWG has maintained and grown the SWGF.
- The funds raised in recent years have been from direct donations from the SWG, new scholarships, and donation drives.
