Tom da Silva Retiring as President and Board Chair of L&A Community Foundation
Tom da Silva has retired from the Board of Directors and as President and Chair of the Community Foundation for L&A, concluding a volunteer role that has spanned 8 ½ years. During his tenure on the Board, the Community Foundation has grown substantially in impact and as an organization focussed on helping to solve problems in the community through its community granting program and stewardship of its endowment fund.
“This has been a team effort. The true highlight of my volunteer time has been the people,” said Mr. da Silva. “I have been able to collaborate with brilliant and committed Board members and community leaders who are the real difference-makers in L&A.”
Mr. da Silva joined the Foundation Board in March 2016 at a turning point in the organization’s existence. Founded in 1987, the Foundation provides a never-ending source of financial support for charitable causes and student awards by building an endowment fund that responds to community needs today and into the future for generations to come through the generosity of donors.
“When I joined the Board, we were at a point of transitioning from being an organization that was fully run by an exceptional group of volunteers to professionalizing our operations by hiring staff to address the significant growth in our foundation,” said Mr. da Silva. “Over the years, I have witnessed incredible changes in the way we work, communicate, and solve problems.”
During da Silva’s time on the Board, the Community Foundation took on several exciting projects and initiatives which contributed to its evolution. These include expanding the Foundation’s geographical mandate and reach from Napanee to all four municipalities in Lennox & Addington, which led to renaming the organization. In addition, the Foundation created the 180° Funds that focus on critical community priorities addressing immediate needs in health and wellness, the environment, and poverty. And most recently, Mr. da Silva led the Government of Canada’s Community Services Recovery Fund locally on behalf of the Foundation which allocated $537,000 to local projects in response to the pandemic. The Foundation also approved a new 3-year strategic plan in 2024 with a focus on increasing annual funding to local causes.
In recognition of Tom da Silva’s leadership, volunteer support, and service to the community, the Community Foundation Board has established the Tom da Silva Fund which will directly support the mission and operations that impact the work of the Community Foundation in The County of Lennox & Addington.
“Tom’s leadership and service to the community and the Foundation is remarkable,” said incoming Board President David Field. “He is a great mentor and friend to all of us. Creating this fund reflects the impact he has had on the Community Foundation.”
“The Foundation is in good hands and through the work of its many volunteers will continue to steward the endowment effectively and support more and more causes each year. I am excited for the future of our Community Foundation for L&A,” said Mr. da Silva.”
The Community Foundation for Lennox & Addington is a registered charity with a mission to connect donors to the causes they are passionate about and exploring the needs of the community to better understand where support is most needed. The Foundation provides a never-ending resource for charitable causes in Lennox & Addington by building endowment funds that respond to the needs of our community today, tomorrow, and for future generations to come. Established in 1987, the Community Foundation solicits donations from individuals, businesses, and service organizations to fulfill our mission. Since its inception, the Foundation has distributed $1.8 million to charitable causes and student awards.
