Community. Gifts that grow Powerful grants Thriving communities

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1 Community M A N I T O B A S C O M M U N I T Y F O U N D A T I O N S 2 O O 7 Gifts that grow Powerful grants Thriving communities

2 Message from Rosann Wowchuk, Deputy Premier and Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives As Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives, and on behalf of the province, I extend my appreciation to all Manitobans who are contributing to the success of community foundations. Community foundations afford our rural citizens the opportunity to give back to their communities in a very tangible way. The donations Manitobans make provide foundations with a financial base to support projects that enhance the places they call home, allowing them to leave behind a lasting legacy for generations to come. From resource centres to day care centres, from recreational facilities to community pools, from main street revitalization projects to preserving local pieces of history all benefit from donations to community foundations and Manitobans, through their generosity, are sowing the seeds of this success. The Manitoba government is also proud to support community initiatives through programs and services designed to encourage economic development and innovation, to support education and training and to improve and enhance community infrastructure. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Manitobans to build vibrant communities. Together, we are achieving great things. Our Thanks Message from Cathy Auld, Regional Coordinator, Community Foundations of Canada and Director of Donor Relations, The Winnipeg Foundation As Community Foundations of Canada s Regional Coordinator for Manitoba, it brings me great pleasure to salute our province s community foundations in this special publication. At Community Foundations of Canada, and at The Winnipeg Foundation, we are proud of Manitoba s strong philanthropic traditions. Our history of giving, helping one another and sharing our resources is the cornerstone of our successful community foundation movement. Our province will soon be home to 40 community foundations more, per capita, than any other region of Canada. Our province s community foundations help keep our towns and cities strong, addressing local concerns and supporting the organizations that make communities vibrant and unique. Many of these grassroots organizations rely entirely on volunteers for the good work they do. They are homegrown initiated and supported by community members to address specific regional and local issues. They help communities maintain independence and character, unity and a sense of pride. Built on permanently endowed funds, community foundations will benefit our province today, tomorrow and forever. Gifts received from donors today will help ensure our communities continue to flourish for generations. Community foundations also work and share with one another. Over the past two years, we ve seen several Manitoba community foundations rally around Lake Winnipeg, pooling resources to help save one of our natural treasures. We are grateful to be a part of this philanthropic spirit. 2 Community Roots is published by The Winnipeg Foundation. This publication is made possible by the generous support of the Province of Manitoba, Manitoba Hydro, and the Thomas Sill Foundation. Community Roots is available for download from The Winnipeg Foundation s website at or from the Manitoba community foundations website at

3 3 Helping Communities Thrive: About Community Foundations Community foundations are charitable organizations that foster potential, change lives and help communities thrive all by bringing together people who care. Community foundations link donors from all walks of life with opportunities to provide long-term support to charitable causes. These foundations pool all gifts they receive from donors into permanent investments. Called endowment funds, these investments generate interest which is used to support community needs in the form of grants to local charitable organizations. These grants help make communities more vibrant and provide support to projects that might not otherwise be possible. Just as gifts to community foundations come from a range of donors with a variety of interests, grants made by these foundations support all kinds of charitable initiatives, including: health, education, community services, arts, heritage, environment and recreation. Community foundations also provide local leadership by bringing together people from all sectors to identify and address community issues. These foundations are governed by volunteer boards drawn from the community; many rely solely on volunteers for staffing and day-to-day operations. Community foundations in Manitoba Manitoba, a province recognized for generosity, is the birthplace of the community foundation movement in Canada. The country s first community foundation, The Winnipeg Foundation, was established in Today, Manitoba leads the country with the most community foundations per capita. There will soon be 40 community foundations covering the province. Table of Contents About Community Foundations 3 Community Foundations of Canada 4 Assets and Growth 4 Education Session 5 Notices and Milestones 5 Grantmaking 6, 9, 11 Youth in Philanthropy 8 New Foundation Profile 10 Community Needs 10 Community Partnerships 11 Thomas Sill Foundation 12 Special Events 14 Raising Funds, Raising Awareness 15 How to Give 16 Scholarships 17 Special Project: Dauphin 18 Map of Community Foundations in Manitoba 19 Read about community foundation activities near you! (RMs covered by each foundation are indicated on the map on page 19.) Community Page Community Page Altona 6, 7 Minnedosa 6 Beausejour (Brokenhead) 6, 8, 14, 17 Morden 8, 14, 15 Boissevain 5, 6, 8, 9, 17 Neepawa (Beautiful Plains) 8, 10, 15, 17 Brandon 5, 7, 8, 11, 15, 17 Oak Lake 5, 7, 15 Carberry 5, 8, 15, 17 Pilot Mound 5, 7, 17 Carman 14 Plum Coulee 5, 11 Cartwright 6 Portage la Prairie 5, 8, 9, 15, 17 Dauphin 7, 8, 17, 18 Reston 5, 17 Deloraine (Southwest) 6, 15 Roblin 8, 14, 17 Dominion City (Sturgeon) 14 Russell (Living Legacy) 5, 6, 7 Elkhorn 14, 15, 17 Selkirk 8, 9, 11, 17 Flin Flon 9, 17 Souris 5, 7, 10, 17 Gimli (Westshore) 5, 8, 15, 17 Steinbach 9 Gladstone (Big Grass) 15, 17 Swan Valley 8, 15, 17 Glenboro 5, 17 Thompson 5, 6, 8, 9, 17 Grandview 6, 14, 15, 17 Treherne (Tiger Hills) 6 Holland 10 Virden 5, 7, 15 Killarney 5, 6, 7, 11 Winkler 5, 8, 11, 14 MacGregor 8, 11, 17 Winnipeg 4, 5, 8, 9, 11, 15 Manitou (Pembina) 15

4 Keeping Our Foundations Strong The community foundation movement in Manitoba is strong, stable and sustainable. For donors, this means that their gifts and wishes will be cared for in perpetuity. Donors can have confidence in local community foundations because the movement is supported by a national umbrella group of like-minded organizations. Community Foundations of Canada (CFC) provides each Manitoba foundation with the tools and resources it needs to flourish in its community. CFC provides assistance to existing and emerging foundations with leadership and organizational development tailored to the foundation and its needs. CFC s network of regional coordinators shares expertise, experience and fosters connections between foundations Cathy Auld, Director of Donor Relations for The Winnipeg Foundation, is Manitoba s part-time Regional Coordinator. Cathy is available to assist foundations through: strategic planning, training, assessment and advice. For more information about the services available to community foundations, contact Cathy at or cauld@cfc-fcc.ca All community foundations referenced in this publication are members of Community Foundations of Canada. Continued growth Manitoba s community foundations are growing in terms of number, assets and community impact. This growth is courtesy of community support and special incentive programs that enable foundations to boost their endowments and generate more funds for grantmaking. Support from Manitoba Hydro, the Thomas Sill Foundation, The Winnipeg Foundation and other funders has helped expand capacity of Manitoba foundations. Outside Winnipeg In Winnipeg Assets Grants Assets Grants 2005 $24,979,352 $1,157,522 $383,358,548 $16,207, $29,760,986 $1,212,016 $414,690,710 $16,684,986 % increase 19.1% 4.7% 8.2% 2.9% Photos courtesy Travel Manitoba. 4

5 5 Learning together On Saturday, September 29th, 2007, 24 Manitoba community foundations were represented at a special session on fiscal management and accountability, hosted by Community Foundations of Canada in Portage La Prairie. The day of learning included updated information on Canada Revenue Agency regulations, tax receipting, charitable tax returns and fund statements for donors. It also gave foundation staff and board members a chance to reconnect and network with one another. 3] From left to right: Elizabeth Sousa, Thompson Community Foundation; Rick Plaisier, Oak Lake and Area Foundation; Robert Eslinger and Teresa Makarchuk, Virden Area Foundation; Sandie Ross, Living Legacy Community Foundation; Adele Kavanagh, The Winnipeg Foundation 4] From left to right: Karen Johnson, Brandon Area Community Foundation; Karen Braden, Community Foundation of Portage and District; Bob Adriaansen and Teresa McDonnell, Carberry and Area Community Foundation] ] From left to right: Keith Heming, The Killarney Foundation; Karen Johnston, Brandon Area Community Foundation; Cathy Auld, The Winnipeg Foundation; Ruth Brandon, Souris Glenwood Foundation 2] From left to right: Giuseppe Dalzotto, Westshore Community Foundation; Laurie Dyck, Winkler Community Foundation; Moira Porte, Plum Coulee Community Foundation; Richard Dyck and Linda MacNair, Carman Area Foundation Milestones and Notices The Glenboro Area Foundation celebrates its 20th anniversary this year! A luncheon on September 11 marked the special occasion. After helping establish the Pilot Mound and District Foundation, and serving as its secretary 11 years, Fay McCannell recently left the foundation. However, her support of the foundation will continue. I will remain as an ambassador at large, promoting the foundation in the community at every opportunity, says McCannell. Jill Lints is the new Executive Director. The Reston and Area Foundation made its first round of community grants earlier this year. Six grants, totaling $3,000, were made at a special presentation in April. Says Ross Tycoles, Board Chair: We re in business! In May, 2007, Thompson Community Foundation and The Boissevain and Morton Foundation participated in the Working Together television partnership between The Winnipeg Foundation and CTV. A one-minute TV spot aired for one month, and is now available for download from The Winnipeg Foundation s website: Special thanks to Raylene Conway-Smith from Boissevain and Leslie Allen from Thompson for appearing on camera. The Virden Area Foundation is hiring a part-time staff member to help improve visibility of the foundation in the community.

6 2. 1. Preserving our province s rural heritage and traditions is just one of the many areas supported by Manitoba community foundations. Treasures A number of foundations have funded heritage projects in their communities in the last year. The Tiger Hills Community Foundation recently supported the move of a local landmark a house constructed of glass bottles into Treherne. Heritage The one-of-a-kind structure is now more easily accessible to residents and visitors. The Cartwright and Area Foundation has also supported the move of a heritage building, a homestead named Edom House, from its original location to the Cartwright Heritage Park. Community foundations have also been active in supporting local archives. The Minnedosa Foundation has recently made a grant of $2,500 to its regional archive and the Brokenhead River Community Foundation holds a fund that supports the Ed Schreyer Archives located in the Brokenhead River Library in Beausejour. Grandview and District Community Foundation has recently made a grant towards the creation of a community history book. Thompson Community Foundation is supporting the construction of a clock to celebrate the community s 50th anniversary. Donations made to the foundation for the clock project are being matched, up to $60,000, by an anonymous donor. An endowment fund has recently been established at Living Legacy Community Foundation to provide for long-term preservation of the Inglis Grain Elevators National Historic Site. To find out how you can help support heritage projects in your area, contact your local community foundation. Healthy Communities Access to healthcare continues to be a key issue for Manitoba communities. From helping attract and retain medical personnel to supporting regional hospitals and care facilities, community foundations are making healthcare a priority. The Killarney Foundation has made a grant of $26,000 to the Killarney Hospital to expand its palliative care facility. Altona Community Foundation made a grant to support the Women s Health Matters conference, held in Altona this year. In addition to grants, several community foundations offer scholarships and bursaries to local youth pursuing medical training. The Mazie Hicks Scholarship fund at The Boissevain and Morton Foundation will provide funds to a student entering post secondary studies in any medical field. In 2006, The Southwest Manitoba Regional Foundation made a grant of $1,598 to the Deloraine Health Centre s MedFriend program. The program offers $15,000 per year to a medical student in his or her final four years of study. In exchange for the funds, the student signs a contract to work at the Deloraine Health Centre for four years after graduation. If you would like to support healthcare in your community, contact your local community foundation to find out how a strategic gift can make a perpetual difference. 6 1] Glass bottle house in Treherne. Photo courtesy of Tiger Hills Community Foundation. 2] Drawing of a community clock for Thompson. Photo courtesy of Thompson Community Foundation.

7 1. Green Grants Manitoba s community foundations are tuned in to environmental concerns. Last year, a group of six Manitoba community foundations and other funders joined together to initiate a project to support the health of Lake Winnipeg. In addition, a number of foundations have made grants to environmental projects in their areas. Recent grants from Brandon Area Community Foundation and Virden Area Foundation to Ducks Unlimited Canada will enable grade four students in Brandon and in the Fort La Bosse School Division to take part in Project Webfoot, a hands-on wetland conservation program. Brandon Area Community Foundation, a recipient of a grant from the J.W. McConnell Family Foundation to support environmental philanthropy, holds a number of funds that target environmental projects. Souris Glenwood Foundation has made a grant to the West Souris River Conservation District to support preservation of the Oak Lake Watershed. Oak Lake and Area Foundation has partnered with Oak Lake Water and Fish Enhancement for a number of years. This past year, a $500 grant supported aeration of the lake to help maintain native fish species. Getting Manitoba Moving Supporting recreation opportunities for people of all ages is another important grantmaking focus for Manitoba community foundations. Recently, the following grants from community foundations have helped Manitobans be more active: The Killarney Foundation is a major supporter of a proposed new recreation facility in the community. Since 2001, the foundation has committed 15 per cent of its revenue for this project. Grants from the Virden Area Foundation are supporting the Virden Seals Speed Swim Club ($2,500) and the Southwest Judo Club ($1,500). Altona Community Foundation has supported the Altona and District Association for the Mentally Handicapped Occupational Training Centre with the purchase of a Duet bike for assisted recreation activities. Pilot Mound and District Foundation has long supported the Pilot Mound Swimming Pool Committee with grants. Another grant from the foundation has recently established a tennis program in the community. Dauphin and District Community Foundation has granted $20,000 towards the construction of Credit Union Place Arena. Recent grants from Living Legacy Community Foundation have supported upgrades to the Russell Pool and signage for the Binscarth Park and Pool. For information on supporting recreation programs near you, contact your local community foundation. 1] Project Webfoot in Virden. Photo courtesy of Virden Area Foundation. 2] Rendering of Credit Union Place interior in Dauphin. Photo courtesy of Dauphin and District Community Foundation. 3] Duet bike. Photo courtesy of Altona Community Foundation. 7

8 Philanthropy: The Next Generation Manitoba community foundations with Youth in Philanthropy programs include: Beautiful Plains Community Foundation The Boissevain and Morton Foundation Brandon Area Community Foundation Brokenhead River Community Foundation Many community foundations in Manitoba engage young people as community grantmakers, 4. entrusting them with a portion of the foundation s funds to make decisions about which agencies should receive support. Many of these Youth in Philanthropy programs were established with the assistance of the Thomas Sill Foundation. The initiative is helping produce Manitoba s next wave of philanthropists as students gain understanding of local needs and the work of community foundations. 1] Members of the Morden Area Foundation s Youth Advisory Committee present a grant to the Growing Minds Breakfast program at École Morden Middle School. Photo courtesy of Morden Area Foundation. 2] Carberry and Area Community Foundation s Youth in Philanthropy committee, Photo courtesy of Carberry and Area Foundation. 3] Beautiful Plains Community Foundation s Youth in Philanthropy committee, Photo courtesy of Beautiful Plains Community Foundation. 4] Students in the Community Foundation of Portage and District s Youth in Philanthropy program. Photo courtesy of Community Foundation of Portage and District. 5] The Youth in Philanthropy group at Goose Lake High School, through the Roblin District Community Foundation. Photo courtesy of Roblin District Community Foundation. Carberry and Area Community Foundation Dauphin and District Community Foundation Interlake Community Foundation Morden Area Foundation North Norfolk-MacGregor Foundation Community Foundation of Portage and District Roblin District Community Foundation Selkirk and District Community Foundation Community Foundation of Swan Valley Thompson Community Foundation Westshore Community Foundation Winkler Community Foundation The Winnipeg Foundation

9 Every year, community foundations in Manitoba make hundreds of grants to support worthwhile local initiatives. Grant allocations may be directed by a donor who has specified his or her gift be used for a particular purpose, or in the case of unrestricted funds by foundation staff or board directors, based on community need. Some highlights of the past year include: Great Grants The Boissevain and Morton Foundation made a grant of $4,500 to the Boissevain Fire Department for a snow ambulance. The ambulance will help serve the needs of the community s winter recreation enthusiasts. Selkirk and District Community Foundation also made a grant for emergency rescue equipment. The East Selkirk Fire Department received $9,696 to purchase a thermal imaging camera, enabling firefighters to locate people trapped in burning buildings as well as hot spots in fires. The Steinbach Community Foundation s recent grant of $8,000 to the Eden East Mental Health Foundation will support Penfield Court, which provides safe, affordable and appropriate housing for residents with mental health issues and families on a fixed income. Habitat for Humanity in Portage La Prairie received two $5,000 grants from the Community Foundation of Portage and District to support the construction of its first home in the community. East Selkirk Fire Department accepts grant cheque from Selkirk and District Community Foundation. Photo courtesy of Selkirk and District Community Foundation. Moffat Fund Supports Manitoba In 2001, The Winnipeg Foundation received a stunning gift from the Moffat family. The Moffat Family Fund supports innovative projects with a focus on neighbourhoods and providing learning and recreation opportunities for children and their families. In addition to supporting projects in Winnipeg, the Fund also addresses communities across the country in which Moffat Communications did business. In Manitoba, funds are made available in Thompson, Flin Flon and The Pas. Using the expertise of our province s community foundations, money from the Moffat Family Fund is distributed each year to the Thompson Community Foundation and the Northern Neighbours Community Foundation in Flin Flon and area. These foundations distribute funds, in the form of grants, to address the needs of their communities. The Moffat funds are a great amenity for the Thompson Community, says Betty Landego, Office Manager at the Thompson Community Foundation. The funds have been put towards many projects within the community, including daycares, schools, a crisis centre, and mental health just to name a few. If the funds were not made available to this community many of these projects would not have happened. The Moffat Fund is building a healthier and stronger community. 9

10 The medical clinic in Holland has received support this year. Photo courtesy of Holland Community Foundation. When a dire need for repairs threatened the town of Holland s health clinic, the community rallied in support. More than $40,000 was raised by community members to save the clinic. That energy and community spirit is now being channeled into New Foundation Profile: Holland and Area Community Foundation another project: the creation of a community foundation. Incorporated in July, 2006, the Holland and Area Community Foundation will soon be Community Foundations of Canada s newest Manitoba member. Governed by a ninemember board of directors, the foundation had been in the planning stages for a number of years. The community of Holland Chamber of Commerce and our local municipal government discussed for two years the need to develop a coordinated, longterm plan for raising funds within our community to assist our non-profit charitable organizations on an on-going basis, says Allan Steinke, President of the foundation. With the clinic s physical structure now preserved, the foundation is turning its attention to other issues related to quality health care. The foundation will establish a bursary for local students entering medicine, nursing or lab technician studies. Programs for seniors will also be an area of focus. Steinke says the foundation is building awareness, and raising funds, through community events. To date, the foundation has held a barbeque and a casserole supper, bringing residents together to share a meal and strengthen their community. 10 What a Community Needs A goal of every community foundation is to address the current needs of the region it serves. But, how can a foundation find out exactly what is lacking, required or wanted by community residents? By asking them, of course! In fall, 2006, Beautiful Plains Community Foundation did just that, surveying dozens of local organizations and groups about their areas of concern. Linda Hart, Executive Director of the foundation says she got the idea at a Community Foundations of Canada conference. We wanted to see if people in the community thought we were on the right track as far as our approach and our grant-giving if there were places in the community that needed help that weren t receiving it, says Hart. The results showed the top community concerns included: recreation activities and crime-prevention strategies for youth, health care issues and economic development. While the results weren t surprising to the foundation, they have helped focus its grantmaking. We tried to address some of the things we found were more important to the community when we gave out our grants, says Hart. We also contacted some of the organizations in town and encouraged them to apply for grants. Though they have no immediate plans for another survey, Hart says that next time the foundation may try to convene a number of community organizations to discuss results and opportunities to work together on solutions. It s more of a community leadership idea, says Hart. Souris Glenwood Foundation also took on a similar initiative, surveying local youth about what they wanted to see in the community. The survey found that a youth centre, skate park, renovations to the local outdoor rink, and other recreation amenities were their priorities. If you have ideas about what your community needs, contact your local community foundation to find out how you can help make it happen.

11 Partnerships Make it Possible Community foundations have been built by people from all walks of life coming together to contribute however they are able to the long-term success of their towns and cities. Many community foundations in Manitoba work closely with local businesses, government, community groups and volunteers to build endowments, hold special events and ensure effective grantmaking. Following are examples of some fruitful community partnerships: North Norfolk-MacGregor Foundation has supported a town square project, including the building of gardens and a gazebo. The project is a partnership between the foundation, a local service club, business, government and a volunteer organization. Winkler Community Foundation has new office space, courtesy of the City of Winkler Council. The move, from a private home to the Winkler Civic Centre, took place in March and has been a boon to the foundation. Strong partnerships with the community help the Plum Coulee Community Foundation achieve its goal of community building and improvements. The foundation s town-wide beautification initiative generates huge community response from volunteers who plant flowers and provide on-going maintenance. A number of Manitoba community foundations partner with nearby communities by holding and administering funds on their behalf. This service enables smaller communities to receive the benefits of endowed funds, without having to establish and run their own foundations on limited resources. The Killarney Foundation, Selkirk and District Community Foundation and several other foundations employ these regional strategies to assist surrounding communities. For more information on how your business or organization can help in your area, contact your local community foundation. Volunteers plant flowers in public spaces in Plum Coulee. Photo courtesy of Plum Coulee Community Foundation. Foundation of Learning Literacy is key to success in education, work and life. Manitoba community foundations help support literacy initiatives that enable individuals, families and communities to thrive. The Purdie Family Fund at the Brandon Area Community Foundation supports local literacy initiatives. Recently, the fund has supplied resource materials to the King George School Library. The Winnipeg Foundation s Literacy for Life Fund provides small grants for family literacy programs across the province. The initiative is a partnership between the Foundation, Winnipeg Public Library and Literacy Partners of Manitoba. In 2007, The Winnipeg Foundation made 18 grants totaling $40,500 to support family literacy programming in community centres and libraries outside Winnipeg. This year, a number of groups received grants for the first time through the program, including: Manitou Public Library, Manitou, $3,000 for the Lifelong Reading Program Churchill Joint Group Committee, Churchill, $2,900 for the Play to Learn, Learn to Play and Cree Language programs Petits Choux Daycare, Somerset, $550 for Rock and Read Portage Neighbourhood Connections, Portage La Prairie, $3,000 for preschool parties South Interlake Regional Library, Teulon, $3,000 for preschool storytime All donations made to the Literacy for Life Fund, or any field of interest fund at The Winnipeg Foundation that supports education, will be matched through a Province of Manitoba incentive program. For more information, visit or call

12 Deep Roots 12 The Thomas Sill Foundation celebrates its 20th anniversary of supporting Manitoba communities. Manitoba s thriving community foundation movement owes much to the Thomas Sill Foundation. Through challenge grants and support, the foundation has been responsible for inspiring and supporting the development of almost half of the province s community foundations. That s one achievement, over the foundation s 20-year history, that Executive Director Hugh Arklie takes the most pride in. I think the community foundations project is the most effective, the thing that will have the longest-lasting benefit, says Arklie. The Thomas Sill Foundation has always had provincial scope with its grantmaking; the percentage of grants to Winnipeg, compared with those beyond the Perimeter, roughly correspond with the population split. As the only private foundation to cover the entire province, Arklie says there was concern in the Foundation s early days that grant requests would outpace funds available. So, the Foundation took a proactive approach, helping communities establish their own sources of local funds. We realized we couldn t meet all the needs, so we thought we d help them establish their own pools of capital so that we could essentially have partners, says Arklie. He adds that the ultimate goal is a $1 million asset base for each community foundation. A handful have reached that milestone already; more are well on their way. Arklie notes that the plan has always been to for the Thomas Sill Foundation to continue to play a role in those communities as long as needed. Thomas Sill. Photos courtesy of the Thomas Sill Foundation.

13 13 I don t think it s beyond the realm of possibility that the foundation movement in rural Manitoba could grow so that a Thomas Sill Foundation, although it would always be available to help out, would play less of a prominent role. In addition to its regular grantmaking, and its work growing and nurturing community foundations, the Thomas Sill Foundation has a number of projects that benefit Manitoba communities. Both its Prairie Churches Project and Prairie Icons Project are partnership initiatives that help preserve Manitoba s heritage buildings. The Foundation has also spearheaded a partnership among Manitoba community foundations, and other organizations, in support of Lake Winnipeg and the environmental challenges it faces. In addition, the Foundation has been instrumental in establishing Youth in Philanthropy, a grantmaking program for high school students, in 17 community foundations across the province. All of these initiatives are part of the Thomas Sill Foundation s on-going commitment to communities outside Winnipeg. In addition to providing monetary support, the Foundation s work also encourages communities as they face challenges related to agriculture, healthcare, social services and populations shifting to bigger centres. Rural Manitoba struggles with its economic existence, says Arklie. The work that we do in rural Manitoba is gratifying because it encourages people that things are still happening in their communities that there s somebody investing in their community and volunteers trying to keep it chugging along. Board and staff of the Thomas Sill Foundation. Left to right: Bev Klym, Administrative Assistant; Bill Bodman, Secretary/Treasurer; Hugh Arklie, Executive Director; Bob Filuk, President; Milt McLean, Vice President; Mary Hadfield, Receptionist. Quiet Generosity Even before the foundation was established in his name, Thomas Sill played the role of grantmaker, remembers Bob Filuk, a former partner in Sill s accounting firm and current President of the Thomas Sill Foundation. But Sill, who always avoided the spotlight, never wanted recognition for his gifts. He was generous, but quiet, says Filuk. He adds that Sill was a savvy investor who made a considerable amount of money on the stock market. Always maintaining a simple lifestyle, and with no family of his own, Sill would distribute his windfalls to registered charities that were clients of his accounting firm. Sill would let his business partners decide which charities would benefit from his generosity. He would cut the cheque and give it to the partner, who would deliver it to the client says Filuk. This solidified the relationship between the partner and the client, but Mr. Sill was in the background. The Thomas Sill Foundation was established through a simple instruction in Sill s will, says Filuk. Sill s former partners have governed the Foundation since its inception, and will continue to do so, as long as possible. Though he lived a quiet life, Sill has left an enormous legacy. The foundation was established with a bequest of approximately $18 million; today it has more than doubled its assets and has granted $23 million to communities across the province for the last 20 years. I know he d be very proud of what we ve accomplished for him, says Filuk.

14 An Event to Remember Hosting an event always involves an element of risk. Will people attend? Will it be worth the effort? Will it be a success? In April, Carman Area Foundation held a special event. It was a huge success, even though no one in the community bought a ticket. That was because organizers decided not to charge; rather, they took donations. It was a bit of a leap of faith, laughs Linda MacNair, Executive Director of the foundation. But it certainly turned out to be a good one. People were extremely generous and some people there had never donated to the foundation before. MacNair says the event brought in approximately $33,000. Tables were filled well in advance and a waiting list was started. The evening included grant presentations, dinner and stand-up comedy by Dean Jenkinson. In terms of a social event, it attracted a lot of attention and everybody was very enthused about it, says MacNair. In addition to raising funds, the event and its surrounding media attention also helped raise awareness of Carman Area Foundation. Attendees who had already supported the foundation were encouraged to bring guests who might not be as familiar with its work, helping the foundation spread its message to a wider audience. I think there were people out there who had always intended to donate some day and this was their opportunity, says MacNair. In Any Event Many community foundations hold special events to raise awareness, bring their communities together, engage volunteers and build endowments. Following are some highlights from the last year, as well as upcoming events. Last December, a bursary fund at Grandview and District Community Foundation was the recipient of proceeds from a community event that featured former CBC Radio host Ron Robinson reading A Christmas Carol. The event, held in the local school, brought in about 150 people. On May 1st, Elkhorn Area Foundation held a community event during which $4,000 in grants was presented to community organizations. For the last five years, the Sturgeon Community Foundation has held a dinner theatre fundraiser. The event, which draws up to 150 guests at $25 a ticket, receives excellent community response year after year. The Morden Area Foundation also hosts an annual dinner, recognizing outstanding community volunteers. Earlier this year, Roblin District Community Foundation held a Valentine s Day supper and entertainment evening. This year, Brokenhead River Community Foundation, in partnership with local businesses and community groups, is planning a week of activities and events to coincide with National Philanthropy Day, November 15th. Also on National Philanthropy Day, Winkler Community Foundation will host a grant announcement banquet and present the Winkler Citizen of the Year Award. A young entertainer at the Valentine s Day event in Roblin. Photo courtesy of Roblin District Community Foundation. 14

15 Manitoba s community foundations rely on donors from all walks of life to grow the endowed funds they use for grant making. Although foundations accept gifts at any time, many also hold special fundraisers. The following highlights may give other foundations ideas for new fundraisers, and inspire community members with ways to become involved in their foundation s work. Raising Funds Many community foundations take advantage of Manitoba s ideal summers by holding fundraising golf tournaments. These can be lucrative ventures. For example, in its first five years, the Shane Hnidy Charity Golf Tournament generated $89,000 for Beautiful Plains Community Foundation. 1. And, organizing tournaments need not burden foundation staff or volunteers. A local MLA organizes an annual tournament to benefit the Interlake Community Foundation. Both Brandon Area Community Foundation and Westshore Community Foundation also hold fundraising golf tournaments. Elkhorn Area Foundation, Carberry and Area Foundation and others tie fundraisers in to the holiday season. Through Carberry s annual Memory Tree of Lights campaign, tendollar donations from the community purchase lights in memory of loved ones to appear in a public display. In Elkhorn, five-dollar donations buy bulbs that are lit along Main Street as part of Light Up the Night in November. The Morden Area Foundation is piggybacking its recent fundraising activities on the town s 125th anniversary. To mark the special milestone, the foundation is encouraging residents to establish family funds in the amount of $1,250. Oak Lake and Area Foundation raised approximately $5,000 by creating and selling a pioneer cookbook. 1] A foursome at the Brandon Area Community Foundation s annual golf tournament. Photo courtesy of Brandon Area Community Foundation. 2. Often, the first step to raising funds and growing endowments is building public awareness about community foundations and their important work. Word of mouth, advertising and information sessions are just some of the ways foundations can get the word out to potential donors, volunteers and grantees. Once informed, all of these audiences can become ambassadors for the foundation, and help spread the message even further. Manitoba community foundations use a variety of strategies to raise awareness. 3. Raising awareness Volunteers from The Southwest Manitoba Regional Foundation attend trade shows in local communities to raise awareness. They also had a sign created that is placed in the windows of prominent local businesses. Big Grass Community Foundation plans to begin making presentations to services clubs this fall. Morden Area Foundation holds regular Community Builder Luncheons, featuring guest speakers, that help raise awareness and support. Grandview and District Community Foundation has placed articles about the foundation and endowment funds in its local paper, The Exponent. A number of community foundations took part in Will Week 2007, an initiative of the Office of the Public Trustee, the Manitoba Bar Association and The Winnipeg Foundation. The annual event included free public presentations by lawyers on estate planning and charitable giving. Community Foundation of Portage and District, Virden Area Foundation and Community Foundation of Swan Valley all participated in Will Week events in their communities. In August, Westshore Community Foundation made a splash at Islendingadagurinn, the Icelandic festival in Gimli. A team representing the foundation took first prize in a sand castle building competition. Their entry recreated the foundation s logo in sand. Pembina Manitou Area Foundation entered a float in the community s homecoming parade in August. 2] Parade float. Photo courtesy of Pembina Manitou Area Foundation. 3] Sand castle building contest entry. Photo courtesy of Westshore Community Foundation. 15

16 16 How to Give There are many ways to support your local community foundation: joining its board of directors, volunteering at a special event, or making a donation. Donations to community foundations come in all sizes from a few dollars to a substantial bequest in a will. Because all donations made to foundations are pooled and invested, each gift no matter the size has an impact on the community. Donors may make gifts toward their community foundation s general grantmaking activities or choose to establish a fund. A fund can be created in the donor s name or in memory of, or tribute to, a loved one. A donor who creates a named fund may specify which charities, or broad range of community work, it will support. Or, a fund may be unrestricted, supporting a foundation s entire spectrum of grantmaking. Donors may also establish scholarship funds. Community foundations accept many types of gifts and will work with donors to help ensure their needs are being met today and their wishes will be respected forever. Gifts today Cash: Donors may make a gift by cash or cheque to a community foundation. (Contact your local community foundation to see if it accepts donations by credit card.) Publicly-traded securities: Community foundations also accept gifts of publicly-traded securities (shares traded publicly on the stock market and mutual funds). Retirement funds: Donors may contribute all or part of an RRSP or RRIF to a foundation. Personal property: Some foundations may accept gifts of personal property, such as artwork or real estate; check with your local community foundation to see if it accepts such gifts. Gifts tomorrow Bequest: Donors may name a community foundation in their will. Bequests may specify a particular dollar amount, percentage or residue of an estate. Life insurance: Donors may name a foundation owner or beneficiary of a life insurance policy. Tax implications for the donor depend on ownership. Retirement funds: Donors may make a foundation beneficiary of an RRSP or RRIF upon death. Charitable remainder trust: Donors may transfer a gift (cash, securities or real estate) to a trustee, on behalf of the foundation, while continuing to receive income from the trust. Upon death, or after a specified number of years, the foundation receives the remaining asset. Residual interest: A donor may give property to a foundation while retaining the use of, and responsibility for maintenance of, the property during his or her lifetime. With a variety of options available, community foundations offer donors flexibility in their giving and a range of options to best-meet their needs. For more information on the options available to you, contact your professional advisor. Check with your local community foundation to find out about the types of gifts it accepts. To find the community foundation nearest you, consult the map on page 19.

17 17 Investing in Education An incentive program established by the Province of Manitoba to help build endowment funds in support of rural students is working, says Vivian McGregor, Chair of North Norfolk-MacGregor 1. Foundation. Through the program, administered by The Winnipeg Foundation, the Province has made half a million dollars available to endowed scholarship funds at community foundations until People have been very excited about it and we ve done marvelously well, says McGregor. The foundation has already attracted eight scholarship funds. McGregor credits the support of the Province both the matching funds provided and the attention it shows to Manitoba communities outside of Winnipeg. Rural people sometimes feel that they re shut out of things, says McGregor. [With this initiative] there was a recognition [by the Province] that there was land beyond the perimeter. McGregor says that mandate of the program also fits a key concern of local residents. Education is very important to the people of this area, she says. Whether it is to community college or university, we have a high percentage of students that do go on to post-secondary education. She says that many donors are also sensitive to the challenges faced by rural youth, including job opportunities and accessing education. It costs a lot more to be a student if you re a rural student because you have to have transportation and you have to have a place to live. For information about establishing a scholarship fund, that can be augmented through matching dollars from the Province of Manitoba, contact your local community foundation. Scholarship Funds at Community Foundations Together, 21 Manitoba community foundations (excluding The Winnipeg Foundation) hold a total of 42 scholarship funds through the provincial incentive program. These funds help local student pursue a variety of postsecondary education opportunities. A fund in Dauphin supports music students; one in Swan Valley assists students pursuing veterinary medicine; another in Thompson supports students pursuing careers in education. Some scholarship funds are established in memory of, or as a tribute to, an individual or group. A fund in Glenboro recognizes a local pioneering family; Portage is one of the many communities that has a scholarship fund named for a local resident. SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS ARE HELD BY: Beautiful Plains Community Foundation Big Grass Community Foundation The Boissevain and Morton Foundation Brandon Area Community Foundation Brokenhead River Community Foundation Carberry and Area Community Foundation Dauphin and District Community Foundation Elkhorn Area Foundation The Glenboro Area Foundation Grandview and District Community Foundation Interlake Community Foundation North Norfolk-MacGregor Foundation Pilot Mound and District Foundation Community Foundation of Portage and District The Reston and Area Foundation Roblin District Community Foundation Selkirk and District Community Foundation Souris Glenwood Foundation Community Foundation of Swan Valley Thompson Community Foundation Westshore Community Foundation 1] 2007 Governor General Scholarship Award winner Megan McIntosh (left), receives award from Carberry and Area Community Foundation board member Gladwyn Scott (right). Photo courtesy of Carberry and Area Community Foundation.

18 Tackling Poverty in Dauphin It s challenging enough for a community to struggle with a problem as devastating, far-reaching and emotionally-charged as poverty. It s even more difficult when there s a stigma associated with the issue. Dauphin and District Community Foundation is tackling local poverty head-on. We have one of the poorest per capita incomes in all of Canada, so we have a real poverty problem, says Scott Johnston, vice-president of finance for the foundation. And it s a topic that not a lot of people want to talk about. Johnston cites low education levels and a lack of high-paying jobs as some of the factors contributing to the area s economic challenges. Inspired by the Hamilton Community Foundation s anti-poverty initiative, the foundation board members launched the Tackling Poverty Together project in October, The foundation s goal is to raise $100,000 for an endowment fund that will support four local charities that serve area residents living in poverty. Eventually, the foundation hopes to add a scholarship component to the strategy as well. But for now, the group is taking small steps. The foundation s board hopes the fund will reach $10,000 by the end of the calendar year. Fundraising has been slow and addressing poverty is a new concept for the the foundation, says Johnston. We weren t doing anything for the poor people in our community, he says. [The foundation is] always paying attention to issues that are close to donors hearts, and poverty hadn t been anything that we d focused on directly. Helping the community recognize the problem, and bringing together people from all walks of life to become part of the solution, has been part of the leadership role for the foundation. The Dauphin Herald has also helped raise awareness, with a series of articles on local poverty, the charities addressing the issue, and the special initiative by the foundation. Despite the challenges, the fund and its mandate are hitting home for some, says Johnston. To date, two churches and a local business have committed to donating $1,000 to the fund each year. And the foundation s board is passionate about the cause and prepared to go the distance. It s going to be a long-term strategy and some slow work, but once we get [the fund] to $100,000 and we re granting something significant to these groups every year, it s going to have an impact and people may be more willing to come on board, says Johnston. Any donor with a particular interest in the community can establish a fund to benefit a field of interest, such as poverty, or a specific charity that has been close to your heart. Contact your local community foundation for ideas about local priorities and possibilities. 18

19 19 1. Altona Community Foundation 2. Beautiful Plains Community Foundation 3. Big Grass Community Foundation 4. The Boissevain and Morton Foundation 5. Brandon Area Community Foundation 6. Brokenhead River Community Foundation 7. Carberry and Area Community Foundation 8. Carman Area Foundation 9. The Cartwright and Area Foundation 10. Dauphin & District Community Foundation 11. Elkhorn Area Foundation 12. The Glenboro Area Foundation 13. Grandview & District Community Foundation 14. Holland Community Foundation 15. Interlake Community Foundation 16. The Killarney Foundation 17. Living Legacy Community Foundation 18. Minnedosa Foundation 19. Morden Area Foundation 20. North Norfolk - MacGregor Foundation 21. Northern Neighbours Foundation 22. Oak Lake & Area Foundation 23. Pembina Manitou Area Foundation 24. Pilot Mound and District Foundation 25. Plum Coulee Community Foundation 26. Community Foundation of Portage & District 27. The Reston and Area Foundation 28. Roblin District Community Foundation 29. Selkirk & District Community Foundation 30. Souris Glenwood Foundation 31. The Southwest Manitoba Regional Foundation 32. The Steinbach Community Foundation 33. Sturgeon Community Foundation 34. Community Foundation of Swan Valley 35. Thompson Community Foundation 36. Tiger Hills Community Foundation 37. Virden Area Foundation 38. Westshore Community Foundation 39. Winkler Community Foundation 40. The Winnipeg Foundation Manitoba Community Foundations

20 Working Together Grantmaking and endowment building the day-to-day work of community foundations is a collaboration between donors, volunteers and charitable organizations. The philanthropic movement behind foundations also involves working together, as foundations support one another in their development and community partners help them grow. A partnership with Manitoba Hydro and The Winnipeg Foundation assists Manitoba community foundations with grants for administrative support. These grants, available annually at least until 2010, support foundations operations and help build capacity for current and long-term success. Manitoba Hydro also encourages the community foundation movement across the province by supporting this publication for the past two years. The Winnipeg Foundation thanks Manitoba Hydro for the important philanthropic role it plays in our province by supporting Manitoba community foundations. For more information about administrative support grants for community foundations, visit