Soren and Elizabeth Hammerberg firmly embedded themselves in the community fabric of Bowen Island when they made it their permanent home in 2010. Motivated to know more about the charitable needs of Bowen’s vibrant community led them to discover the Bowen Island Community Foundation (BICF), initiating a journey of community service and philanthropy for the couple that has culminated in a significant donation.
The Hammerbergs’ recent $100,000 endowment for the new Friends of the Foundation Fund, which intends to eventually offset 100 per cent of the foundation’s fixed costs, is the first of its kind at BICF and reflects the donors’ innovative vision for charitable giving on Bowen Island. This endowment, an open fund allowing contributions from anyone, serves as a perpetual financial resource for the Foundation. Its earnings will sustain operational costs, gradually freeing up a larger portion of the Foundation’s annual budget to fuel community initiatives through grants, to offer more scholarships to students, and to provide bursaries to those in need.
Inspiration for the new fund originates in Soren’s early tenure on the BICF board, where he served as chair from 2013 to 2018. Reflecting on those years, Soren remarks, “In the initial phases, Elizabeth and I worked as a team; she handled administrative tasks before we expanded enough to hire our first part-time administrator. We aimed to elevate the Foundation’s presence, significance, and credibility, ensuring it became a trusted steward of Bowen’s charitable endeavours.” To bolster the Foundation’s presence, credibility, and impact, one of Soren’s key priorities as chair was to keep operating expenses as low as possible.
The Hammerbergs’ transformative endowment serves as a testament to their belief in the Foundation’s key role in the charitable sector on-island and its capacity to drive positive change for every member of the Bowen community. And it’s the Bowen community that sets the Foundation’s granting priorities, through facilitated feedback events called Vital Conversations (the 2023 report is now available on the Foundation website).
Anyone can donate to the Friends of the Foundation Fund. With a one-time gift or monthly donation to the fund, you can enhance the potential of grants that support our entire community.
Visit bowenfoundation.com to learn more about giving.
