Centennial Club touted during National Philanthropy Day

By Alejandra Pulido-Guzman - Lethbridge Herald on November 16, 2022.

Herald photo by Alejandra Pulido-Guzman SAAG executive director Su Ying Strang speaks about the gallery's new fundraising initiative during a National Philanthropy Day event Tuesday at City Hall.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDapulido@lethbridgeherald.com

The Southern Alberta Art Gallery joined the Association of Fundraising Professionals to celebrate National Philanthropy Day with a special flag raising ceremony at Lethbridge City Hall on Tuesday.

The ceremony highlighted the gallery’s new monthly giving program called the Centennial Club and the 100th anniversary of the Carnegie Building where SAAG is located, which was a significant historical act of philanthropy when it was built as the city’s first purpose-built library in 1922.

The building served the community as a library for over 50 years before becoming the home of the Southern Alberta Art Gallery in 1976.

When explaining the Centennial Club campaign, SAAG executive director, Su Ying Strang said there was three main descriptors that needed to be considered, those were accessible, sustainable and community driven.

She mentioned that one huge contribution from one donor made such a big impact to the community by building the first purpose-built library, but she was aware of how difficult that is for others to accomplish and therefore they started looking into an option of monthly giving.

“Knowing that is easier on everyone, reducing the burden on both the donor and the charity and celebrates our collective effort and contributions while also spreading out giving across the year,” said Strang.

Members of the Centennial Club make automatic monthly contributions in any amount to the Gallery through the CanadaHelps charitable giving platform, providing a steady and predictable source of income to support the Gallery in long-term sustainability goals.

In return, members receive access to special events and programs, with the first 100 donors also receiving a limited edition tote bag and their name on a commemorative plaque in the Gallery.

Nov. 15 has been set aside as National Philanthropy Day since 2012 to recognize and pay tribute to the contributions that philanthropy and those people active in the philanthropic community have made in our lives, our communities, and the world. 

National Philanthropy Day chair with the AFP, Judy Stolk-Ingram, said it is important to highlight those who have contributed to the community, as philanthropy brings people together and allows people to connect with their community in ways that otherwise wouldn’t happen.

“When you look at all of the different services and programming that is available out there for our community and for our people to enrich our community, those things wouldn’t happen if it weren’t for generous people who just sees the value in whatever they personally are inspired by,” said Stolk-Ingram.

She said it is important to recognize them and highlight them, as most philanthropists tent to “hide behind the curtain” and they are great examples for the rest of the community.

“And then they further inspire the rest of us to contribute to continue making Lethbridge a great place to live,” said Stolk-Ingram.

Follow @APulidoHerald on Twitter