A new endowment fund will help families access programs for children with special needs at Aspire Special Needs Resource Centre.
Aspire’s Fee Assistance Endowment ensures that Aspire can provide barrier-free access regardless of a family’s financial situation.
Red Deer & District Community Foundation has contributed $30,000 to the fund and Aspire put in $30,000 for an initial $60,000 endowment that will generate yearly disbursements and provide sustainability.
“This endowment will help us to develop consistency, allowing us to fulfill our goal of supporting families that need our services today, as well as the families who will need our services in the future,” said Aspire’s executive director JoAnne Hayden, in a statement.
The endowment will begin generating investment income in 2023. Aspire hopes to grow the fund through donations, with the goal of having the disbursement cover the full needs of families seeking access.
“As community members recognize that they want to make long term impact, they can contribute to this fund and then the investment income will also grow, which means more and more families will be able to access financial support,” said foundation executive director Erin Peden.
Donors interested in contributing to Aspire’s Fee Assistance Endowment Fund can contact Melissa Vine at Aspire, or Erin Peden at the foundation.