Louis D.W. Magie was an American Engineer who worked with The General Electric Company in the United States. He moved to Peterborough in 1900 and worked for Canadian General Electric until his retirement in 1938. Mr. Magie sought financial advice from James H. Turner, Charted Accountant and a partner at McColl Turner in Peterborough.
Mr. Magie married Jessie Fairweather following the death of his first wife Emiline Peck. Jessie was the daughter of William Fairweather founder of the Fairweather Company in Peterborough and subsequently in Toronto. The Fairweather Company became a well- known name in Canadian retailing.
Mr. and Mrs. Magie had no immediate family members and in 1950, Mr. Magie wished to make provision for the disposition of their estate. Dr. G.S.Cameron and James H. Turner assisted the Magies in carrying out their wishes for this disposition. The result was the incorporation of the Peterborough Foundation in September 1953. Mr. Magie paid the incorporation expenses and made a considerable capital donation of $5,000 to bring the Foundation into effect. Mr. Magie’s modesty would not allow his name to be part of the Foundation name and it was to remain inactive until after he died. He also named the first Directors.
Mrs. Jessie Magie died in 1954. Upon her death she bequeathed her estate to many personal friends and charities and the balance went to the Foundation. Mr. Magie died in 1956 and the residue of his estate was passed to The Peterborough Foundation.
The Foundation is required to pass its accounts before the Surrogate Court of the County of Peterborough at regular intervals. Complete financial statements are presented to the Court and become a matter of public record.
The Foundation has distributed in excess of $2,000,000 over the years from a capital base of just under $1,000,000. The majority of these funds have come from Mr. and Mrs. Magie and other donors. Contributions continue to be critical to the viability of the Foundation. A charitable tax receipt is issued for all contributions to the Foundation.

Founding Directors

• Dr. G.S. Cameron
• W.M Cruthers
• F.D. Kerr
• Ford F. Warren
• T.A. Mackay
• John A. McColl
• James H. Turner
   

Deadlines

The Members and Directors of the Peterborough Foundation meet twice each year (in June and December) to consider grant applications.   The grant application deadlines are May 1st for the June meeting and November 1st for the December meeting.   

If a deadline falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or Holiday, applications will be accepted until the end of the next business day.

Peterborough Foundation Board

• Nancy Martin : Chair
• Shirl Delarue: Vice-Chair
• Bill Blair: Treasurer
• Pat Hooper: Secretary
• Gail Martin
• Dr. Tom Miller
• Eric Monkman
• Gary Rishor
• Marie Hynes
• Mike Melnik

All grants provided by The Peterborough Foundation are awarded for specific purposes and are to be used within a designated time period. The following general guidelines apply:

The Foundation has a commitment primarily to the support of agencies and organizations that benefit the citizens of the City and County of Peterborough and that operate within this geographic boundary.
Grants are given only to charitable organizations registered with Canada Revenue Agency. Student bursaries are processed through the educational institutions.
Preference is usually given to projects that:
encourage more efficient use of community resources;
expect to test or demonstrate new approaches and techniques in the solution of community problems;
promote volunteer participation and citizen involvement in the community.
The Foundation encourages:
proposals developed in consultation with other agencies and planning groups;
projects promoting co-ordination, co-operation and sharing among organizations and the elimination of duplicated services.
Consideration may be given to requests for assistance with equipment and furnishings.
Grants are not usually made:
to support operating expenses of well established organizations;
to establish or add to endowment funds;
to relieve operating or capital deficits;
for travel, conference, or publication expenses;
for sponsorship of teams or clubs.
Grants are not made toward the promotion of political, religious, moral or ethical philosophies or viewpoints.
Grants are not made for improvements to buildings not owned by the applicant.
The applicant will be requested to repay grants that are given for capital improvements on a building owned by the applicant in the event of the sale of the building.

All applicants must submit a request in writing. A visit by a representative of the Foundation may be expected if the project is considered suitable.