The King's Connection Magazine Volume 25 // Number 1 | Page 21

FOUNDATION AND GUILD NOTES

Foundation involvement also had a hand in introducing a
new school to King’s. “Though the Establishment of the
Leder School of Business was not itself a Foundation
initiative,” Joosse explains, “four of the five founding
$12 million sponsors of the Leder School are members
of the Foundation.”

MANY
MOVING PARTS

M

any components are needed for a machine to stay
well-oiled and running smoothly. The King’s
University College Foundation and The King’s Guild are
two such important supporting groups for the university
that have made a difference for decades.
Acting as an independent support organization, The King’s
University College Foundation has always been hard at work
for staff, students and faculty. The Foundation was started
in 1982 with the intent to address the then dire financial
situation of the university. They have supported King’s
financially ever since, and by collecting over 80 members,
some of which already were or have become major donors
and all of which feel a special and close bond with
the university.
Serving as the executive director of the Foundation for
the past two years, Wally Mulder has seen the university
through substantial changes that may not have been possible
without the help of the Foundation.
“For example, in recent years the Foundation funded the
replacement of the gym floor and paid for the renovation
of one residence suite,” says Mulder. In a typical year, the
Foundation donates between $130,000 - $180,000 to King’s
for various specific projects, mostly funded by the
membership fees of its members. Many members also
donate beyond their membership fees.
Jim Joosse, former chair of the King’s Board of Governors
and currently the Chair of the Board of Directors of the
Foundation, has been a member since its inception.
Outlining some other recently completed projects, Joosse
says these include “providing funding to the Secondary
Education program over six years” and funding “the
addition of a Development staff person as well as the
new Alumni Relations Manager position created three
years ago.”

The Foundation also provides a great service to students of
the university: “Through designated gifts from Foundation
members, we are able to contribute $15,000 in scholarships
and bursaries annually,” Mulder proudly reports.
One scholarship recipient remarks, “I am so thankful for
|the scholarship programs at King’s! Receiving the support
of scholarships from King’s has saved me many headaches.
We students are all extremely grateful for the effect these
scholarships have had in making our education
more affordable.”
“In partnership with the university, the Foundation has
played a role and collaborated in some fashion in most of the
major developments in the life of the university over the
years,” professes Joosse. “In the upcoming year we are being
challenged to respond to the needs that have been identified
in the latest university strategic plan.”
As another fundraising arm, the King’s Guild provides
funding for items that enhance the university but are not in
the budget.
Jenny Van Belle has been a committed member of the King’s
University Guild since 2001, becoming chairperson in 2007.
“In the past two years we have donated money for new
furniture in the gym area and for the front entrance,” says
Van Belle. This badly needed furniture has made a real
difference to the look and feel and usefulness of King’s
public spaces.
Events organized by the many faithful Guild members, such
as the annual Christmas craft sale held at King’s, are a main
source of their fundraising. The efforts of the Guild result in
raising around $5,000 per year.
The work of both organizations reflects and supports the
mission of King’s. Ongoing fundraising and financial
support from the Foundation and the Guild, and the
relationships and commitment and profile for King’s that
both engender and support, allow the many moving parts of
The King’s University to continue functioning effectively,
providing funding for important aspects not covered under
regular operating budgets.

FOUNDATION NOTES Summer 2015 19