Creating opportunity. Strengthening community. Leaving the world better than we found it.

Who We Are

Established in 2018, the Rick & Marg Jensen Family Foundation supports organizations that improve lives and strengthen communities in Cranbrook and neighbouring communities. Over the past eight years the Foundation has grown financially far beyond our original expectations.  With that growth has come both a greater ability – and a greater responsibility – to support meaningful community work.  Our Foundation operates as a donor-advised fund administered by Aqueduct Foundation, a registered Canadian public foundation.  An official charitable tax receipt is not required as this is an Inter-Charity Transfer.

Rick’s seven years as a Board member and Chair of Columbia Basin Trust taught him how thoughtful support can strengthen not only the community organizations themselves, but also the quality of life in the communities they serve.

Our Purpose and Priorities

We place particular emphasis on creating opportunities for children and youth who face financial, social, or other barriers. As our granting capacity has increased, we have broadened our support to address other important community needs, including:

• food security, essential needs, health, and community well-being;
• education, personal development, and access to opportunity; and
• capable local organizations and initiatives with meaningful, lasting impact.

How We View Our Grants

We view each grant as more than a financial contribution. It is an investment in people, opportunity, organizational strength, and the long-term well-being of our communities. We value responsible use of funds, capable leadership, clear objectives, collaboration, and honest communication about both successes and challenges.

Learning From the Organizations We Support

We ask recipient organizations to provide a brief update explaining how the grant was used, who benefited, what was accomplished, and what was learned. When appropriate and permission has been obtained, a photograph or short story can help bring the grant’s impact to life. Our purpose is not to create an administrative burden, but to understand the difference the funding made and to improve our future grantmaking.