You may have noticed we always say that we’re “helping to build a vital community for everyone.” How we do that is down to the people we work with. Vitality thrives on diverse perspectives, and our future depends on engaging young leaders. That’s why we’re cultivating the next generation by welcoming people like Bethan Bates, Camila Duarte, Cody McMahon, and Rachel DeGreef, to join the Board of Directors so they can help shape the Foundation’s future. They bring fresh energy to tackling Peterborough’s challenges, and they see plenty of opportunities before us.
Inspired to Give Back
For Bethan, Camila, Cody, and Rachel, the decision to join the Foundation’s board stems from a deep desire to give back. Rachel recently moved outside the region but sees her role as a way to maintain ties to Peterborough. “The Foundation’s mission to support people and organizations in Peterborough really inspired me,” she explains. “Being an advocate for this work feels essential and rewarding.”
Similarly, Cody, a Peterborough native who returned after time away, was drawn to the Foundation through his professional experience in fundraising and his commitment to the community. “I saw the call for board members and felt my skills could make a difference,” he says. “What keeps me engaged is seeing the incredible work of Jennifer DeBues [the Foundation’s
Executive Director] and her team – their dedication to community partnerships and creating impact through our grants.”
For Camila, joining the board was a way to better understand her adopted community and create meaningful change. “The Foundation’s holistic approach felt like the perfect way to engage,” she shares.
Bethan, who has a background in the nonprofit sector, found the board to be a natural fit. “I’ve always seen how valuable engaged and passionate board members are to a staff team,” she says. “Knowing that the Foundation’s work directly impacts real people and organizations keeps me motivated. It’s not abstract; you can see the results.”
Broadening Horizons
Serving on the Foundation’s board has provided these young leaders with a deeper understanding of the Foundation’s multifaceted role in Greater Peterborough. “You think you know what the Foundation does,” Bethan reflects, “but as you get involved, you uncover so much more complexity and influence.”
Cody admits his initial understanding of the Foundation was surface-level. “I knew about donor-advised funds, but I didn’t realize how integral the Foundation is as a partner and advocate for the charitable sector.”
Rachel, who had some familiarity with community foundations, found the Foundation’s role as a centre for learning and gathering particularly meaningful. “It’s about so much more than just managing funds—it’s a hub for community growth.”
Camila emphasized the importance of addressing interconnected challenges like mental health and homelessness. “The Foundation has done incredible work supporting frontline organizations, but we need to focus more on prevention—helping shape solutions before problems worsen,” she says.
Addressing Key Challenges
The board members identified several critical issues facing Peterborough, including affordability, social isolation, and the erosion of community spaces. “Peterborough has historically had a strong sense of belonging, but that feels fractured now, especially for younger people,” Cody observes. “Re-establishing those connections is crucial.”
Bethan highlights the underfunding of community services, particularly in the social sector. “Cuts to public funding have weakened our underpinnings. The Foundation plays a vital role in sustaining these organizations through funding and advocacy.”
Rachel sees affordability issues and economic instability as driving forces behind cycles of hopelessness. “When basic needs like housing aren’t met, it impacts everything. The Foundation’s work in supporting organizations addressing these issues is essential.”
A Vision for the Future
Looking ahead, Bethan, Camila, Cody, and Rachel envision a bold and innovative future for the Community Foundation. Camila stresses the importance of diversity and inclusion in decision-making. “Real change happens when people who’ve lived certain experiences help shape decisions,” she says. “I’ve always felt seen and respected at the Foundation, and I want others to feel the same.”
Bethan anticipates a shift toward grassroots, community-driven philanthropy. “Younger people may not have the wealth for major donations, but they’re eager to collaborate and contribute in other ways,” she says.
Rachel emphasizes the need for planned giving and legacy gifts as well as finding ways to engage younger people now to ensure their long-term commitment. “Many organizations need hands-on help as much as funding,” she says, “especially as younger generations, constrained by financial pressures, seek other ways to contribute. Engaging them through volunteer opportunities builds connections, fostering long-term relationships that may lead to financial support in the future. At the same time, philanthropy must maintain strategic engagement with older donors who sustain organizations today, creating a balanced approach to nurturing supporters across generations.
Cody advocates for accessible opportunities to engage younger donors. “It’s about matching people’s energy and capacity, whether it’s volunteering, small donations, or advocacy,” he explains. “I also think we should focus on the folks doing incredible work in our community. Sort of leveraging ourselves as a megaphone to tell people, look at this incredible work that’s being done, I think that will go a really long way in helping support the charitable sector.”
As the Foundation heads into a new strategic planning phase, Camila envisions it becoming even bolder and more innovative. “I want to see an organization that thinks outside the box, takes risks, and embraces new approaches,” she says. “Let’s not just follow others, let’s lead by trying things no one else has done before.”
Strengthening the Community
Despite their diverse experiences and perspectives, our youngest board members share a common goal: creating a stronger, more connected, and vital Peterborough. As Bethan puts it, “The Foundation’s impact is visible and tangible. Being part of that change is incredibly rewarding.”
Together, they’re ensuring the Community Foundation not only remains a pillar of philanthropy but evolves to meet the needs of a changing community, and helping to build, ahem, a vital community for everyone.