Community foundation creates new Mental Wellness Endowment Fund; $100,000 leadership gift from Dan Noonan gets it off to a strong start.

News 100 blueBy Staff

May 1, 2016

BURLINGTON, ON

Dan Noonan of Argosy Securities took a bold step to strengthen and support a healthy community through a $100,000 contribution to the Burlington Community Foundation (BCF) that has established a new Mental Wellness Endowment Fund.

Colleen Mulholland, President and CEO, Burlington Community Foundation said: “As part of our mental wellness leadership work, we are thrilled to establish this new fund so we can focus on mental wellness through our granting program, now and in the future”. She added that Dan has demonstrated his commitment to the health of our community in numerous ways and this latest gift will provide an on-going legacy for many years to come.”

BCF_Argosy donation

Dan Noonan,third from the left, an Investment Advisor, Argosy Securities is joined by Burlington Community Foundation board members Catherine Brady, Phil Reddon; President and CEO Colleen Mulholland; Leighan Basadur, John Rockx.

BCF is committed to supporting the community and focusing efforts on areas that are most in need. Data from BCF’s Vital Signs Reports over the last few years confirm that mental health issues are growing. And to add to BCF’s findings, recent research by CivicAction estimates that over 1.5 million people in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area’s (GTHA) labour force have experienced a mental health issue. That’s 1 in 2 people. Further, over the next 10 years, current mental health issues in the GTHA labour force could result in almost $17 billion in lost productivity.

Noonan said: “I believe that by supporting the strategic mental wellness efforts of BCF, our community will be strengthened for many years to come.” He added that the team at BCF is doing important work and hope this gift inspires others to get involved.”

The purpose of the Mental Wellness Endowment Fund is to improve mental health and wellness in our communities by supporting valuable mental health programs and services. With only 1 in 3 Ontario adults getting access to much needed programs and services, and sadly, only 1 in 6 of our children and youth getting access, BCF believes this fund will enable vitally needed support at the local level.

“We know that access to much needed mental health services can be a life-threatening issue facing many family members, children, neighbours and colleagues,” says Mulholland. “This generous gift to start a legacy of supporting mental wellness in our community is much needed and appreciated.”

The Burlington Community Foundation was established in 1999 as a centre for philanthropy. The Community Foundation collaborates with donors to build endowments, give grants and connect leadership to address our community’s most pressing needs. The Foundation is a 360 degree grantor, with over 78 endowment funds and $10 million in endowed assets. It has distributed $3.2 million in grants since its inception.

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