The Red Deer & District Community Foundation has received international recognition as a grantmaking organization.
Earlier this month, RDDCF received the 2022 Grantmaker of the Year Award from the Grant Professionals Association during a conference in Louisville, Kentucky, on Nov. 3.
The award recognizes grantmaking organizations that have improved the way grant professionals do their work and acknowledges outstanding contributions to the field of grantsmanship.
“Receiving this award is an outstanding acknowledgment of the work that we have done to connect with our community in a way that ensures that everyone belongs and feels heard, and that the greatest impact is being made,” said Krista Nymark VandenBrink, RDDCF board chair.
The awards process includes a review of nominations, scoring of nominations and interviews with finalists. RDDCF was a recipient due to its work in the community, specifically in regards to its grantmaking practices.
“What makes this award so special is that it recognizes the value of our unique participatory grantmaking process which allows agencies to come together and promotes collaboration and inclusion,” Nymark VandenBrink said.
“The board of directors acknowledges the hard and sometimes uncomfortable work that goes into innovative granting. But it is this innovation that can ignite the most change.”
In a press release issued Friday, RDDCF stated this innovation could be seen in action with our participatory grantmaking process that was implemented during the adjudication for the Fund for Gender Equality Grant.
“Applicants were included in the decision-making process, enabling grantees to come together to share insights, passionately pitch their projects, collaborate in their decision-making, and build relationships that would not have existed without RDDCF proactively playing the role of community convener,” RDDCF stated.
“Agencies were able to view each other as allies and friends rather than competitors for a limited pool of money.”
The Community Foundation is also aiming to ensure long-term sustainability through its Youth in Philanthropy program, which introduces youth to the concept of philanthropy through hands-on experiences to explore charities, social needs, and financial responsibility.
“The students take on leadership roles to understand the methodology of grantmaking. Students also learn the importance of partnerships and personal responsibility in the philanthropic community,” said RDDCF.
Nominator Tammy Tilzey, of Foundant Technologies stated RDDCF deeply impacts their community and the profession by their innovative ideas, relationship-building, and funding decisions.
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