John Ignatius, who had supported other Community Foundations and sought to have a local organization provide similar community benefits. John made the first endowed donation of $25,000 and encouraged his many family, friends and colleagues to follow his example. The Medicine Hat Community Foundation was then founded in 1992 through an act of Legislature of the Province of Alberta. John passed away in January 2000 and, true to his word, left the vast majority of his estate to the Foundation. John’s financial contribution was in excess of $2.4 million but his biggest legacy was the original creation of the Foundation which continues to support vibrant, healthy, caring communities across Southeastern Alberta – today, tomorrow, forever! The CFSEA is a non-government, non-political and non-religious independent organization that operates under the guidance of a diverse group of community-minded volunteer Board of Directors.
