BRANDON – The Brandon Area Community Foundation (BACF) received a second gift of $1million of personal shares in Cando Rail Services from Gord and Diane Peters for granting throughout Westman.

The shares will not become an endowed fund. The Peters want the money to be spent within the next 15 to 20 years to see the projects they are able to support now. Half the funds will be granted by BACF through their formal granting process and half the funds will be donor advised by the Peters.

Their first donation of $1million shares was made to BACF in 2009. Through a percentage of redemption, $1.6 million has been granted from their gift, and the remaining shares today are valued at $1.4 million.

“Diane and I are very pleased to give back to our communities through this donation to the BACF,” stated Gord. “We have been very fortunate in our business careers, and the BACF is the perfect fit for us, because of their leadership in the field of granting monies to organizations that benefit our communities in southwestern Manitoba.”

For Gord and Diane, giving is a very direct way to share their business success with their community. The Peters are longtime residents of Brandon but are very proud of their rural Manitoba roots. Both came from families and communities that believed in the spirit of “giving back”. The BACF’s commitment to southwestern Manitoba parallels the Peter’s desire to enhance their personal philanthropic goals.

“We are continually amazed by the generosity of our donors. We are very proud of this ongoing partnership with Gord and Diane Peters,” said BACF Chair Bev Cumming. “Their continued confidence in our Foundation, to administer these gifts on their behalf, are the reason we exist and flourish in this community.”

“The size of this gift from Gord & Diane Peters is extraordinary, and this unique donation has the potential to become significantly more valuable in the future. Diane and Gord’s gift will be felt throughout the community and we are extremely grateful for their generosity.”