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SeedMaster launches new charitable foundation

Nov. 5, 2013 - Saskatchewan manufacturer SeedMaster is giving back to communities across Western Canada and the U.S. Midwest through a new philanthropic foundation being launched by the company to mark its 10th anniversary.

The SĒD foundation (pronounced seed, and which stands for Social Entrepreneurship by Design) invites community fundraising groups in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Alberta and the U.S. Midwest to apply for grants ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 each depending, on need.

But rather than just writing cheques and handing out money, SĒD takes a different approach to charitable giving, according to Cory Beaujot, SeedMaster marketing manager.

"We're promoting social entrepreneurship. That means instead of just applying SĒD money to a fundraiser's bottom line, the funds will be used in an entrepreneurial way that helps generate even more money for their charitable cause than they'd originally imagined," he says. "We want to encourage community fundraising groups to dream bigger about the possibilities they can achieve by using SĒD funds to make more money for their projects."

Recently, SĒD awarded $5,000 to the Craik, Sask. volunteer fire department to help them fund raise for a new fire truck. In Regina, the North Central Community Association (NCCA) received a $4,000 SĒD grant to hire musicians for its first annual Culture Days – a street festival celebrating the vibrant community spirit, and artistic and cultural diversity of the north central inner-city neighbourhood.

Beaujot says the projects SĒD selects for funding won't always focus on raising money. Some will focus on raising awareness around important causes. "But in every case, SĒD-funded projects will ultimately be about supporting and bolstering communities in our trade area. There will be a significant rural focus because that's where a lot of SeedMaster support comes from," he explains.

SeedMaster is committing $100,000 annually to SĒD, and expects to fund up to 20 fundraising projects each year. The company plans to invite other businesses and organizations to support the foundation by becoming GoldSĒDs with donations of $10,000 each to benefit as many communities as possible.

Visit the SĒD website.

November 5, 2013  By Top Crop Manager