Encouraging Private Donations: Government of Canada Matches Funds to the Banff Community Foundation

BANFF, Alberta, April 24, 2009 - On behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, Blake Richards, Member of Parliament (Wild Rose), today announced that the Government will match donations made by individuals, companies and community groups to the Banff Centre through the Banff Community Foundation.

"This organization has a loyal following here in Banff," said Minister Moore. "Our Government is matching this local support to encourage further donations and ensure that they continue to enrich our lives for many years to come."

"The Banff Centre is an exceptional place where Canadian artists can practise their craft, experiment, create, share knowledge, and develop new ideas. This place fosters the creativity and inspiration that are so critical to a thriving arts and culture sector," said Mr. Richards. "This organization contributes to the quality of life of Banff residents, while supporting many jobs, both directly and indirectly."

"These endowment funds will enable artists from across Canada to access transformative learning and professional development opportunities at the Banff Centre," said Mary Hofstetter, President and CEO of the Banff Centre. "Communities from coast to coast will benefit from creative works inspired in Banff, thanks to the support of the Government of Canada, Centre donors, and the Banff Community Foundation."

The Banff Centre for Continuing Education will receive $947,760. This amount is in addition to those provided by private donors to the organizations' endowment funds.

The funding has been provided through the Endowment Incentives component of the Canadian Arts and Heritage Sustainability Program. This year, the Government of Canada is providing 72 cents for every dollar donated by the private sector. Since 2006, this program has provided more than $44 million to various endowment funds, while the private sector has provided $72 million, for a total of more than $116 million.

This initiative complements other measures taken by our Government to encourage private-sector participation in arts funding, such as the tax exemptions on capital gains for donations of publicly traded securities to registered charities announced in the 2006 and 2007 budgets.

The Canadian Arts and Heritage Sustainability Program aims to encourage modern management and greater financial stability in arts and heritage organizations. The Program's Endowment Incentives component provides funding to match donations from the private sector.

For more information about this program, visit www.pch.gc.ca/pgm/pcapc-cahsp/103-eng.cfm.

Information:

Deirdra McCracken
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages
819-997-7788
deirdra.mccracken@pch.gc.ca

Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155

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