It started in May 2011 with a call to action by Gov.-Gen. David Johnston to community foundations across the country.

He challenged the 183 organizations to launch a B次元官网网址淪mart and Caring Community Fund.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淲e thought that would be neat for us,B次元官网网址� said Victoria Foundation CEO Sandra Richardson.

The foundation board committed $200,000 in matching contributions to the new fund, and in so doing became one of the first to heed JohnstonB次元官网网址檚 call.

To help launch the fund, the governor general was in Victoria on Thursday.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 pleased that the Community Foundations of Canada is rising up to my challenge of building a smart and caring nation for our countryB次元官网网址檚 150th anniversary in 2017 by launching Smart & Caring Community Funds across the country, B次元官网网址� Johnston said in a prepared statement.

VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 new fund has two components.

First, a physical literacy program to be offered through the will teach fundamental physical skills to children aged three to 10.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 throwing, itB次元官网网址檚 jumping, itB次元官网网址檚 moving,B次元官网网址� Richardson said.

It also teaches teamwork skills and knowledge about healthy eating.

Second, the Victoria Foundation will create 13 endowment funds for Vancouver Island charities and contribute $7,500 in matching funds towards each endowment.

This kind of fund is enticing to charitiesB次元官网网址� donor base, Richardson said.

B次元官网网址淚t shows the organization as establishing something for the future, for their long-term sustainability.B次元官网网址�

To date, the Smart and Caring Community Fund has received $150,000 in donations.

rholmen@vicnews.com