Grants also issued to Plum Fest, WFRC, and the Imagination Library
The Plum Coulee Community Foundation celebrated a milestone year at its annual general meeting last week—one marked by generosity, innovation, and a commitment to creating meaningful change in the community.
“It’s been a successful year,” said board chair Levi Taylor. “In 2024, we were able to grant out to eight different local not-for-profits, almost $20,000. We’ve had enormous community support. So many people attend our semi-annual soup and pie fundraisers that we run out of soup. It’s a good problem to have.”
But the most notable highlight of this year was the foundation’s shift in direction—one that brought a larger vision into focus.
Thanks to a $20,000 wind-down grant from the Thomas Sill Foundation, the foundation found itself with over $40,000 to distribute. Rather than grant out every dollar to individual causes as in years past, the board chose to continue supporting a few key community staples and then invest the remaining funds into one significant, community-wide project.
“We looked at our applicants and picked the ones that are staples in our community—like the Imagination Library, the [Winkler Family] Resource Centre, and Plum Fest,” said Taylor. “We made sure to take care of them first, because they rely on grants and donations to run. They’re important pieces of Plum Coulee.”
Then came the exciting part: an impact grant—nearly $40,000 dedicated to a single, transformative initiative.
“We bounced around a couple of ideas,” Taylor explained. “In the end, we settled on lighting up the walking paths that are just so beautiful here in town. They’re used so much, and we want to make them more accessible, especially in the evening hours.”
The plan is to install solar-powered lighting along the community’s pathway network, which winds along the coulee and into the park and ball diamonds.
“There’s no lighting right now, so it can be a little dangerous,” said Taylor. “But it’s also about beautifying the community. These walkways are a big part of what makes Plum Coulee such a vibrant place to live.”
Shovels are expected to be in the ground this summer, with the lights scheduled to be up and glowing by mid-summer or early fall.
The idea of giving back isn’t just about finances—it’s also about pride.
“My wife and I walk those paths,” Taylor noted. “It’ll be interesting to see once they’re illuminated. And to know the foundation was able to put this together—to see other families with young kids benefiting from it—it just makes you feel proud. This is how we make our community stronger.”
The foundation’s financial health is also something to celebrate. In 2024, it received $28,845 in donations and earned $105,368 in investment income. After expenses, the organization closed the year $91,613 ahead, bringing total assets to $833,320. With $48,156 already available for 2025 grants, the outlook is bright for the agency.
Taylor noted none of this work would be possible without the volunteers behind the scenes.
“I’m thankful for the support of our board,” he said. “There are four or five individuals who have been here for a long time who carried this foundation on their back. I get to stand on their shoulders, and I don’t take that lightly.”
Still, Taylor emphasized the need for fresh faces to join the mission.
“We’re always seeking dedicated, committed board members,” he said. “People who are invested in Plum Coulee and want to make the community better. We’re looking for young professionals, retirees with free time, or anyone who has a heart for this town.”
Board meetings happen once a month, with additional time commitments for various fundraisers.
“There’s no specific skill set required,” Taylor stressed. “Just a willingness to put in some time. The only way this work continues is if good people step up.”
