Learning and investment pays off
Dec. 31, 2019 was a big day for the Kinbridge Community Association. That’s the day the organization made the last payment on its impact investment through Waterloo Region Community Foundation (WRCF).
Kinbridge received a $200,000 investment from WRCF in 2017 to support the renovation of its new location (in the lower level of the Duncan McIntosh Arena) and to assist with program expansions to better serve the community.
“What that impact investment did was help move the organization forward to be fully present for the community — to be accessible to the whole community,” says Joe-Ann McComb, Executive Director for Kinbridge, which offers accessible programs and services to the community using a community-development approach.
And while the investment did cover some capital costs due to unexpected delays and costs, Kinbridge was also able to direct dollars to where they were needed most for the future. For example, it was able to hire the first Fund Development Communication Coordinator to help attract future dollars to continue supporting the community.
“The investment isn’t just about getting you out of where you are right now. It’s about helping you move forward as an organization,” says McComb. “And the impact investment gave us that flexibility to put the funding where it was most needed.”
Today, Kinbridge has a bright new accessible space featuring an inviting lounge, two gymnasiums, a community kitchen, and meeting spaces for the many diverse groups to access.
But even more than that, it has developed deep connections with partner organizations, who also deliver programs in the new space. These new programs generate additional revenue, and helped Kinbridge repay the loan.
“We did a lot of learning and a lot of risk taking, and we took a lot of those qualities with us moving forward. It stretched us in a healthy way,” says McComb.
For more information on their program offerings, please visit www.kinbridge.ca. If you would like to learn more about partnering with WRCF to make impact investments, including establishing your own Donor Advised Fund – Invested for Impact, contact Dan Robert at dan@wrcf.ca or 519-725-1806 x 205.
Note: This story was written prior to Cambridge & North Dumfries Community Foundation and Kitchener Waterloo Community Foundation unifying to become Waterloo Region Community Foundation. Although the story was created by KWCF, we have updated the organization name to WRCF throughout the story.