Altona, Rhineland and Morris have shown strong support for their local community foundations, and directors are again looking to see that trend continue with the upcoming giving challenge week.
Giving to the community foundation between November 10 and 16 will see every gift during this week stretched by The Winnipeg Foundation and the Manitoba government with each community foundation eligible to receive up to $2,000 each from the Winnipeg Foundation and the Manitoba government.
The Altona Community Foundation last year raised over $38,000, so the total came to over $42,000 with the matching dollars.
“That’s very generous of our community,” said chairperson Haydon Friesen. “We’re very fortunate to live in a community and a surrounding area that does support the foundation and its objectives on an annual basis.
“It’s also reflected in the projects we have been able to support over time. You don’t have to look very far around the community and the surrounding area to see all the projects we’ve been able to help out financially, and there’s certainly more on the horizon from the various organizations.”
Friesen said they look forward to being able to continue to provide support for a wide range of iimportant projects and initiatives for their communities.
“It’s always good to see that number climb on an annual basis, and we hope we can match or even exceed that number this year,” said Friesen, who noted people can drop off cheques at Access Credit Union and Westpark Motors or donate online.
“We would like to at least get to the same number as last year if not exceed that,” he added.
The Plum Coulee Community Foundation last year raised over $13,000 which was matched up to over $17,000.
“Our goal this year is $18,000, and we’ve been advertising it for awhile now,” said Moira Porte, a representative for the foundation.
“I think everyone knows it’s coming in November, and we’re confident about it,” she said. “Everyone knows it is around this time, and they all know that we have our soup and pie fundraiser, and this year it is on Nov. 12.
“It definitely does have an impact, and we’re really happy with it,” she said, noting how it goes a long way for the foundation especially when combined with the stretching dollars.
“We just really appreciate their donations and appreciate people coming to the soup and pie fundraiser,” said Porte, noting that event is set for Nov. 12 at 5:30 p.m. at the Centre on Main.
The Morris Area Foundation last year brought in a little over $37,000 which then came to $41,000 with the matching dollars.
“That’s astounding actually. It’s very good,” said chairperson Curtis Evenson. “We’re slowly building it, and we are always looking for new donors and love the ones who donate something every year.”
He noted they appreciate the involvement of the Morris Bigway food store, where people can drop off donations as well as online.
“It’s gone over phenomenal … we’ve been pretty amazed,” he said. “Having that week when we really want the donations seems to work … it’s kind of exciting … it’s worked really well. It’s extremely important that Endow Manitoba and the Winnipeg Foundation are involved and supporting this … it’s the driving force behind it.
“We are getting results that are probably above what we should probably be expecting for the size of our foundation,” he added.
“You can focus on a certain time and know it’s about the same time every year. It gives us a reason to contact all of our donors … and I think they look forward to it. It’s a good thing for everybody, I think.”
If you want to donate to your local foundation, you can make a gift online with your credit card and print off your tax receipt. Visit the endowmb.org website or your local foundation for more information.
