Ukrainian Canadian Foundation

SHEVCHENKO FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEET TO DISTRIBUTE GRANTS TO THE COMMUNITY

May 27, 2003

Winnipeg -- The Ukrainian Canadian Foundation of Taras Shevchenko (UCFTS) met on May 23-24, 2003 and brought together members of the Board of Directors and members of the UCFTS Investment Committee from across the country.

The UCFTS Board members considered cultural proposals which enrich the Ukrainian Canadian community, and reviewed 68 grant applications which generated an allocation of $134,800 to various projects throughout the country.

"The Shevchenko Foundation is very pleased to provide funding to community individuals and organizations to build a strong and vibrant community", said UCFTS President Andrew Hladyshevsky. "Building a strong community also strengthens the multicultural fabric of Canada."

UCFTS President Andrew Hladyshevsky thanked his fellow Board Members - Michael Szepetyk (Toronto), Boris Balan (Toronto), Roman Manastersky (Winnipeg), Anne Rusnak (Winnipeg), Dr. Oleh Gerus (Winnipeg), Jayne Paluck (Regina) - for their time and dedication on working on behalf of the Foundation.

Hladyshevsky also thanked members of the UCFTS Investment Committee for their ongoing commitment to ensure that the Foundation continues to grow. He thanked the Chair - Wallace Shoemay (Burnaby), Bohdan Romaniuk (Calgary), Bill Zerebesky (Saskatoon), Dr. Roman Franko (Toronto), Bohdan Leshchyshen (Toronto) for their time and dedication to the Foundation.

The UCFTS was incorporated under an Act of Parliament in 1963, following the Ukrainian Canadian community campaign to erect the Taras Shevchenko statue, located on the grounds of the Manitoba Legislature. Excess monies from this campaign, in the amount of $30,000, formed the base upon which the organization has grown over the years.

Setting an original milestone of raising $1 million, the Foundation today has grown to nearly $7 million and supports projects throughout Canada, to enhance the Ukrainian Canadian community. Since 1964 the Foundation has provided nearly $5 million dollars to support cultural activities.