Saskatoon Nets Biggest SYC Gift to Date

One of Saskatoon’s most generous philanthropists recently established a $1.24 million fund at the Saskatoon Community Foundation under the Supporting Your Community program – the biggest single donation to the program to date.

The Frank and Ellen Remai Fund for Persephone Theatre is the fifth largest theatre fund in Canada and will support Saskatoon’s 32-year-old professional theatre at a critical time in its history. The theatre is in the midst of building a stunning new complex on the banks of the South Saskatchewan River; the fund will support its operations.

“We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give," said Ellen Remai, quoting Winston Churchill, during the announcement of the fund. Remai named the fund in honour of her late husband, who was a well known developer in Saskatoon. Together they were ardent supporters of many local charities.

“As we were discussing the creation of this fund we learned that Ellen had a relationship with BMO Harris Private Banking and was eager to have the fund managed there” says Trevor Forrest, Executive Director of the Saskatoon Community Foundation. “It was wonderful because we were able to say – we can do that. We have the ability to make that happen because we’ve forged a relationship with BMO Harris.”

Ellen’s initial gift of $750,000 received more than $480,000 in matching funds from Canadian Heritage. She has also committed another $750,000 gift this year that will be eligible for the same matching grant, eventually bringing the fund’s total to more than $2-million.

Ms. Remai has also supported the theatre through her private foundation, The Frank & Ellen Remai Foundation. The theatre has announced its new complex will be named Persephone Theatre at the Frank and Ellen Remai Arts Centre in their honour.