Residents of Churchbridge, Langenburg, Spy Hill and the surrounding rural municipalities continue to benefit from the quiet but far-reaching impact of the Family and Friends Foundation, an organization built on the idea of lasting community support.
In an interview with the Family and Friends Foundation chairperson Michelle Andrews and program administrator Jill Faul shared insight into how the organization operates, who it helps, and why raising awareness remains a priority.
At its core, the Family and Friends Foundation is an endowment-based organization designed to give back indefinitely. Rather than distributing donated funds outright, the foundation invests them, using the annual returns to support local projects.
“The Family and Friends Foundation is a really neat concept,” Andrews explained. “It’s an income-based foundation where the original donation never leaves. The donation gains interest every year, and that interest is granted out to a variety of community groups or projects.”
Those projects span all corners of the region, including Langenburg, Spy Hill, Churchbridge and their surrounding RMs. The funds are administered through the Saskatoon Community Foundation, allowing for stronger investment returns and, ultimately, greater contributions back to the communities.
While the foundation is required to grant a minimum of four percent annually, Andrews noted that in 2025, six percent was distributed. Reserve funds are also maintained to ensure that even in years with lower investment returns, communities continue to receive support.
The reach of the foundation is broad, touching nearly every stage of life. From daycare facilities and youth recreation to senior care and community infrastructure, the funding has made a visible difference.
“I think the thing with Family and Friends is that it touches all age groups,” Andrews said. “From seniors’ homes and care facilities right down to daycares. You see it in rinks, pools, and all sorts of community projects.”
Faul added that cemetery maintenance is another significant area of support, one that often goes unnoticed but is vital to preserving local history.
“There’s quite a bit of money that goes out to cemeteries every year,” she said. “Maintaining those spaces is something many communities wouldn’t otherwise have access to funding for.”
Organizations looking to access funding must go through an application process, which is advertised in the Four-Town Journal and social platforms. Applications are due at the end of November, with decisions typically made in January.
Projects must be completed within the fiscal year and demonstrate community value. Increasingly, applicants are also encouraged to support the local economy wherever possible.
The structure of the foundation also reflects the communities it serves. Many endowment funds are designated for specific towns, meaning funds raised in one community are reinvested there.
For donors, there are flexible ways to contribute. Individuals can establish their own endowment fund requiring an initial commitment of $5,000, or contribute to existing funds in any amount.
“I think for a long time, people thought you had to have a large sum of money to donate,” Faul said. “You can give $100, or even smaller amounts over time. It all adds up.”
Donations can also be made in memory of loved ones or as part of a “living legacy,” allowing donors to see the impact of their contributions during their lifetime.
That sense of legacy is one of the foundation’s most meaningful aspects. Andrews pointed to the Kelly Reitenbach Fund as a powerful example. Created in memory of a well-known community member, the fund has supported youth hockey officials by providing jerseys, an initiative that both honours Reitenbach and supports the next generation.
Similarly, Faul highlighted contributions to healthcare and the arts, including upgrades to care home equipment and ongoing support for local theatre initiatives tied to donors like Irene Adams.
The Irene Adams Fund contributes to supporting the arts in Langenburg, demonstrating how individuals without direct heirs can still leave a lasting mark on their community.
Faul added, “My mom has been an employee at the care home, and I’ve seen through her a bit of what the health and palliative fund has done, that our care home has state of the art equipment in almost all of the rooms, which most care homes in the area couldn’t boast”.
“It’s really special to see how those contributions continue on,” Faul said. “Whether it’s bleachers, AED machines, or improvements to facilities, it all makes a difference.”
Looking ahead, the foundation is working to increase awareness, particularly among younger residents. Efforts include school outreach, a renewed online presence, and community events.
One upcoming event is the upcoming Family and Friends Gala on April 24, which will celebrate the foundation’s history while raising funds for future projects. $50 from each ticket will go to the health and palliative fund for the palliative project. This initiative will help expand the palliative care room at the local care home. If people wish to donate to other funds at the event they can.
The gala will feature a plated meal by Langenburg-based caterer Sandra Hollenberg and entertainment from a local community choir. Tickets are limited, with a portion of each purchase eligible for a tax receipt.
The foundation is also making efforts internally to ensure continued growth, including recruiting new board members and fostering community involvement. The board consists of 10 members serving two-year terms, with a maximum of three consecutive terms.
Despite its long-standing presence, both Andrews and Faul acknowledge that not everyone fully understands the scope of the foundation’s impact, a gap they hope to close.
Recent transitions have brought new members into administrative roles, including Faul as program administrator and Megan Nerbas as financial administrator. While there is a learning curve, both Andrews and Faul emphasized the value of experienced mentors and past board members who continue to provide guidance.
“We want people to make that connection,” Faul said. “When you’re at a facility or using something that was funded by Family and Friends, we hope it sparks curiosity and encourages people to learn more.”
As communities evolve, the foundation remains focused on its original mission: creating a sustainable source of funding that continues to give back; year after year, generation after generation.