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The history of the Shevchenko Foundation is the story of a community which raised funds to celebrate the work of Taras Shevchenko by placing his monument on the grounds of the Manitoba Legislature in 1961 and used the remaining proceeds to support the ongoing work of the community. In July 1962 the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (then the Ukrainian Canadian Committee) resolved to set aside a $30,000 surplus from the Shevchenko monument project into a capital fund that became known as the Ukrainian Canadian Foundation of Taras Shevchenko.
Working closely with the Honourable John Hnatyshyn, Senator and Mr. Nicholas Mandziuk, M.P. for Marquette, as well as the Honourable W. Wall, Senator and the Honourable Paul Yuzyk, an Act to incorporate the Ukrainian Canadian Foundation of Taras Shevchenko was introduced in Canadian Parliament on November 21, 1962. In his remarks on the legislation, Senator Hnatyshyn stated the following:
"Many distinguished members of the various components organizations are convinced of the necessity of a united effort and have indicated their willingness to make substantial donations and bequests for such cultural purposes. In order to assure the continuity of proper management of the funds for the propagation of Ukrainian culture in Canada, it was felt necessary to incorporate a foundation... With reference to the name, I am sure all honourable senators are aware that Taras Shevchenko was one of the most noted of Ukrainian poets."
The Ukrainian Canadian Foundation of Taras Shevchenko became incorporated by an Act of Parliament on July 22th, 1963.
In 1964, the Shevchenko Foundation began distributing project grants awarding $400. In 1973, on its 10th anniversary, total donations to the Foundation surpassed $500,000.
Today the Shevchenko Foundation awards over $300,000 annually. Meanwhile the Foundation has distributed over $8.5 million since its incorporation 40 years ago. These grants continue to be awarded to organizations and individuals who support the growth of the Ukrainian Canadian culture.
From its small beginnings the Foundation has invested over $6.7 million in capital, contributed to hundreds of projects by organizations and individuals, and become a well known part of the Ukrainian Canadian community, all in the name of Ukraine's greatest poet and patriarch Taras Shevchenko.
The Shevchenko Foundation benefits the Ukrainian Canadian community by supporting the promotion and advancement of Ukrainian culture in Canada.
The Ukrainian Canadian Foundation of Taras Shevchenko is a national, chartered philanthropic institution providing leadership by building and nurturing a permanent endowment fund dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the Ukrainian Canadian cultural heritage and the advancement of a flourishing Ukrainian community for the enrichment of Canada.
The Ukrainian Canadian Foundation of Taras Shevchenko strives to be recognized as Canada's premier not-for- profit Foundation in a Canada which acknowledges the Ukrainian Canadian community as a fundamental component of Canadian society. |
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