The Community Foundation of the South Okanagan Similkameen has received a historic $4 million donation from its founding donor, John Pankiw.

This donation stands as the largest contribution ever received by the Foundation from an individual, family, or business.

The gift will be used to create an Endowment Fund in which the donation is invested and portions of the earnings are given as annual grants to support local charitable programs. The original donated amount remains untouched and invested, creating an enduring resource for the community.

sa国际传媒淚 consider it a privilege to be able to create a family legacy that will benefit our community in perpetuity,sa国际传媒� said Pankiw.

Pankiw is a longstanding philanthropist in the community, having made generous contributions to many organizations such as the SOS Medical Foundation and Okanagan College.

sa国际传媒淲ords truly cansa国际传媒檛 capture the magnitude of Mr. Pankiwsa国际传媒檚 gift to our community,sa国际传媒� said Robin Robertson, board chair of the Community Foundation. sa国际传媒淢r. Pankiw was integral to the creation of the Foundation over 30 years ago, and today, he continues to make a profound impact on both the Foundation and our community.sa国际传媒�

Pankiw was one of the founding donors of the Community Foundation when it was established as the Penticton and District Foundation in the early 1990s. The first grants from the Community Foundation went out to six local charities for a total of approximately $2,000.

Today, with the inclusion of Pankiwsa国际传媒檚 gift, the Foundation manages assets totalling $20 million and has distributed over $9 million in grants throughout its history.

sa国际传媒淢r. Pankiwsa国际传媒檚 gift will have a positive impact for generations to come. We are truly honoured and humbled by his longstanding support, the trust he has placed in our Foundation, and for the deep care he has for our community,sa国际传媒� said Robertson.