MFC hopes to expand ministry with name change

Jess Huxman | Mennonite Foundation of Canada

Mennonite Foundation of Canada (MFC) will change its name to Abundance Canada in October.

The decision to rebrand follows 18 months of market analysis, survey research, competitive analysis, and formal and informal discussions with stakeholders and the general public. The new name is an open invitation for generous Christians across Canada to use the services of Abundance Canada to support charities that impact and change lives.

“We want to honour the enthusiasm and vision of our founders by ensuring that our reach continues to grow wider and deeper,” says MFC board chair Randy Steinwand. “I’m confident our name change to Abundance Canada will set us firmly on that path.

The lengthy and comprehensive research process revealed that there is a desire and a need for the ministry and services of MFC that goes well beyond the Mennonite denominations the organization has historically served.

“We wanted a name that would broaden the opportunity for our ministry while remaining true to our heritage and our principles of biblical stewardship,” says executive director Darren Pries-Klassen. “Our clients value our professional knowledge and our honesty, integrity and flexibility. They often tell us they love working with us because we make giving so simple and easy.”

MFC—and now Abundance Canada—has four offices to provide services to Ontario and the eastern provinces, Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan, and also British Columbia. The organization works with individuals to maximize their gifts to charity, to assist with donations of securities and to provide estate planning for charitable gifts over time. MFC and Abundance Canada are registered not-for-profit organizations with the Canada Revenue Agency.

MFC has worked with some of the most generous people in Canada. In 2010, it disbursed more than $10 million to charity. In 2015, that number exceeded $16 million distributed to more than 880 charities. Since its founding in 1974, more than $150 million has been disbursed to charities to impact and change lives across Canada and around the world.

“We believe changing our name to Abundance Canada will invite Christians across Canada to partner with us and experience the joy of generosity,” says Pries-Klassen.

The transition to Abundance Canada is already underway and is expected to be completed in October. For clients and charities currently working with MFC, the transition will be automatic. Account numbers and phone numbers will remain the same. Abundance Canada will assume the charitable registration number held by MFC. For those who have named Mennonite Foundation of Canada in their wills, no changes are necessary, as existing bequest plans remain intact.

For more information, visit mennofoundation.ca/abundance.

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