History of The Charitable Trust
An important part of CFUW Etobicoke’s statement of purpose is ‘to promote the continuing education of women’. From its founding in 1952 until 1986, CFUW Etobicoke funded scholarships and bursaries for women from regular membership fees.
In September 1986 a committee met to discuss setting up a separate foundation so that charitable receipts could be given for any money contributed for the awards program. The Trust was established in 1987 as The University Women’s Club of Etobicoke Scholarship Fund. Each member contributed $8 as part of their registration fee. In 1992 the contribution increased to $10 per member.
In 1994 a capital fund was established to receive extra donations and the first memorial donations were received.
In 1996 in order to provide funding to needy community organizations, members’ contributions included in registration were increased by $2.00 to the present $12.00. Also In 1996, the capital fund was named the Elizabeth Sweet Capital Fund to honour our founding president. By 2002 this fund reached $10,000 and the first Elizabeth Sweet award in the amount of $500 (from the accrued interest) was awarded.
In 1998 a revised constitution for the Trust was adopted under the name The Charitable Trust of the Canadian Federation of University Women of Etobicoke. The five trustees of the Charitable Trust meet at least twice a year to administer the funds and disperse them as recommended by the Awards Committee and approved by the general membership.
In 2010 an endowment of $12,500 was given to York University. The province of Ontario matched it making it a $25,000 endowment whose interest generates another award at York U every year.
In 2012 an endowment of $11,000 was given to Humber College. It too was matched by the Ontario government making an endowment of $22,000 that generates a yearly award at Humber College.
In recent years, as interest rates have decreased dramatically, money has been withdrawn from the Elizabeth Sweet Capital Fund, as much as is allowed, and used to increase the amount in the 2 endowments so that each is now over $30,000 and/or to top up the value of their yearly generated awards as needed so that the value of each student award is large enough to fund at least one course for the recipient.
Since March 2010, the club has sponsored a card party that generates funds for the Charitable Trust. The club executive has also generously given part of the budget surplus to the Trust. This money, along with additional donations and memorial gifts from members, has substantially increased the total amount of money available for awards each year.
Student awards are given at University of Toronto, Ryerson University, York University, and since 2011 to Humber College. In addition, each year there are two $300 community awards given out to selected groups supporting women and children in Etobicoke.