Red Deer foundation gathers 65 charities for first Possibility Exchange
The event connected local charities and residents rather than raising money, part of a wider push by the Community Foundation of Central Alberta to boost community awareness.
The Community Foundation of Central Alberta (CFCAB) hosted its first annual Possibility Exchange, an event designed as a "friend raiser" rather than a fundraiser, bringing together roughly 65 local charities and community members in one location.
Executive Director Erin Peden said the goal was connection rather than donations, noting that most Red Deer residents could likely only name five or six local charities despite the much larger number active in the region. The event gave attendees a chance to learn about the organizations shaping central Alberta and hear community stories.
The idea grew out of a partnership with Jillian Vukovich, who had been educating the public on ways to give charitably. Peden said CFCAB saw an opportunity to create something focused specifically on the charities themselves, helping fill gaps in their knowledge of what others in the community are doing.
CFCAB plans to hold the Possibility Exchange annually and hopes to expand it to include more service groups and community members going forward. The foundation has invested in charitable organizations and projects in the region for 35 years through unrestricted funding from local donors, granting $2 million last year.
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