Member Q&A: Aqueduct Foundation
Was there a particular moment or event in your life that drew you to conservation work?
At Aqueduct Foundation, we work in a range of areas, with conservation work being one of them. Our positioning in this space came from our perception that there was a gap for bridge funders in the land conservation space. We were approached by a BC land trust a few years ago about an interesting bridge funding project. It was our first foray into the space but we had a wonderful partnership and experience working with the organization. It got us thinking that there are likely other opportunities to participate in this space as an interim funder.
How long have you been with your organization and what does your role entail?
I have been with Aqueduct for over 4 years. I manage all of our philanthropic programs that we run – from community-based scholarships, granting to non-qualified donees, to our conservation bridge fund program. I work closely with our donors and community organizations to construct and facilitate programs that are aligned with their wishes.
What was the proudest moment/greatest achievement for your organization?
It’s hard to pick just one – but working with the Galiano Conservancy Association through a bridge funding model to protect a large swath of land on the island – is a highlight. To our knowledge, there is no other public foundation with donor-advised funds engaging in projects like that.
What are your hopes for the future of your organization?
We would like to be more involved in the conservation space, working with land trusts and conservation organizations on different projects, as well as learning from other funders.
Can you give us a fun fact about your organization that our readers might not know?
Our name Aqueduct Foundation is actually a metaphor for what we do – aqueducts are ancient water delivery systems dating back to Roman times. We call ourselves Aqueduct Foundation because we act as a bridge connecting donors with the charities and causes they support – much like Roman aqueducts would transport water from a distant source into a city.
