Upcoming changes to the Abbotsford Community Foundation

Our Board of Directors wish to announce that, after almost 6 years at the helm, Wendy Neufeld will be retiring as Executive Director (ED) in early 2023. Wendy has provided exceptional leadership to the ACF during her tenure which has resulted in the ACF becoming a markedly stronger and more relevant organization here in Abbotsford.

When Wendy first joined the ACF, our invested assets stood at just over $10 million. Today, thanks to generous donors and Wendy’s stewardship those assets have grown to $18+ million.

This endowment growth has dramatically enhanced tour ability to financially support worthy causes and projects in Abbotsford. Last year, we distributed over $1.4 million through student scholarships and funding to local charities. In addition, the Abbotsford Disaster Relief Fund (ADRF) will provide more than $4 million in flood relief to individuals, farms and businesses affected by the November 2021 flooding disaster. We anticipate that grants will exceed $1.1 million in this current year.

Donations have grown steadily over the past 5 years. In 2021 alone, donors gifted $1.8 million to newly established endowments along with contributions to existing funds.

Wendy’s achievements include establishing a volunteer Marketing and Communications committee in 2018 which has elevated the ACF’s online presence and improved communication with both donors and the community at large. She has created a six-year succession plan for the Board of Directors which has positioned the ACF to have competent and engaged leadership well into the future.

The ACF has benefitted greatly from Wendy’s incredible work ethic and her ability to positively engage with individuals and organizations that want to help make Abbotsford better. Our Board of Directors extends its sincere appreciation to her for that. Wendy plans to continue residing in Abbotsford while also spending time in the Okanagan. The search process to identify the next Executive Director will start shortly with the goal of being able to identify that individual by the fall of 2022.