Mississippi Mills Community Fund Launches Founding Circle Campaign on Giving Tuesday

A new community endowment will help local charitable activities and programs for generations to come

Press Release - Mississippi Mills Community Fund

A new way to “give where you live” is launching in Mississippi Mills this Giving Tuesday, as volunteers unveil the Founding Circle Campaign for the Mississippi Mills Community Fund (MMCF), a permanent fund established by locals and held and administered by the Ottawa Community Foundation to support community needs now and for generations to come.

The new Fund is being launched with an inaugural Founding Circle Campaign, inviting residents, businesses, and community groups to help build an initial $50,000 endowment. Gifts of $100 or any amount will be recognized as part of the Fund’s founding circle of donors by the Mississippi Community Fund Advisory Council.

“The Mississippi Mills Community Fund reflects the heart of our community: Neighbours helping neighbours. Strong communities plan for the future, and this grassroots initiative turns today’s generosity into lasting impact. Mississippi Mills thrives because we care deeply for one another and take pride in this beautiful place we call home. Every contribution to this endowment, no matter how big or small, will carry forward that legacy for generations,” said Mayor Christa Lowry, Municipality of Mississippi Mills.

A gift that stays here

Unlike a one-time fundraiser, the Mississippi Mills Community Fund is designed as a permanent endowment. Donations are invested by the Ottawa Community Foundation, with a portion granted out each year to local charities and community projects. This model aims to preserve the capital, while allowing the Fund to grow steadily over time.

That means a gift made today becomes a gift that keeps giving to the people of Mississippi Mills long after today’s donors are gone.

Over time, the Fund aims to provide stable, local support for priorities such as:

• Programs that keep children and youth safe, supported, and engaged
• Supports that help seniors age at home
• Mental health services closer to home
• Housing and affordability initiatives
• Protection of local rivers, trails, and heritage spaces
• Core funding for charitable partnerships or initiatives that hold so much together

The Ottawa Community Foundation holds and administers the Mississippi Mills Community Fund and makes grants from the fund in consideration of recommendations from the fund’s advisory council.  This stewardship ensures that gifts are professionally managed, tax receiptable and able to support local priorities in Mississippi Mills for the long term.

“The Ottawa Community Foundation has long championed the role and impact of charitable giving in local communities. We are proud to work alongside the Mississippi Mills Community Fund as it grows a permanent resource that will support local charities and community projects for many years to come,” said Michael Maidment, President & CEO, Ottawa Community Foundation.

Launching on Giving Tuesday

The Founding Circle Campaign officially launches on Giving Tuesday, December 2, a global day that celebrates generosity and community spirit. Local volunteers will be reaching out through community organizations, social media, and neighbourhood networks to invite “early believers” to help build the Fund.

“With every donation, large or small, the Fund grows,” added Jeff Mills, founding member of the Mississippi Mills Community Fund. “And with it grows our capacity to look after each other, to dream a little bigger, and to leave this place stronger than we found it.”

How to give

Residents, businesses, and community groups can make a tax-receiptable donation to the Mississippi Mills Community Fund by:

• Visiting: Founding Circle Campaign – Mississippi Mills Community Fund
• Mailing a cheque payable to: “Ottawa Community Foundation” with “Mississippi Mills Community Fund” in the memo line
• Contacting: Paddy Vargas, 613 552 8256, mmcommunityfund@gmail.com for larger gifts, legacy giving, or corporate contributions

Early donors to the Founding Circle Campaign will be acknowledged (with permission) on the Fund’s honour roll as part of the inaugural group that helped launch this new community legacy.

About the Mississippi Mills Community Fund

The Mississippi Mills Community Fund (MMCF) is a permanent fund established by the Mississippi Mills Community Fund Advisory Council, with the purpose to support what matters most in Mississippi Mills, now and for generations to come. The Fund reflects the heart of our community: neighbours helping neighbours, building a stronger, more caring Mississippi Mills together. The Fund is held and administered by the Ottawa Community Foundation.