The Plum Coulee Community Foundation presented its 2024 grants last week, reinvesting thousands of dollars back into the community.
The funds were presented during the board’s annual general meeting, which followed a successful soup and pie fundraiser that brought in $2,300 for the foundation.
The organization’s net assets, including investments, grew to $835,199 last year, generating just over $23,000 in interest, which will support eight local organizations.
General grants totalling $17,814 were distributed to Winkler Family Resource Centre, Plum Coulee School Parent Advisory Council, Plum Fest, Plum Coulee Community Gardens, Plum Coulee Minor Ball, Centre on Main, and the Imagination Library. As well, the Plum Coulee Prairie View Elevator Museum received a maintenance grant of $5,352.
Mary Eberling-Penner of the Plum Coulee School Parent Advisory Council said they are deeply grateful for the $3,000 they received for Phase 2 of their play structure.
“There has been a lot of fundraising toward the play structure upgrade over the years. The big slide ended up being $40,000, which was more than we anticipated. The ice came in January, and the old slide from the eighties had gaping cracks in it, and was not salvageable, and had to come down. The kids were very disheartened. After fundraising and seeking grants, we’ve been counting the pennies. I think this grant and the last fundraising efforts by the school could be enough to purchase the slide. It’s amazing that a school in a town this size can raise $40,000 in a year.”
The board was also happy to report that last fall’s Giving Challenge raised $16,871, which increased the amount in their general community fund, allowing them to grant more to local non-profits.
“It was a very successful year, rounding off with our soup and pie, which always has such great support from the community,” said board chair Levi Taylor.
Taylor noted that the board had a tough task selecting grant recipients from the 17 applications they received this year.
“We look at things that are true to the community. Whether it’s innovative. Whether it meets a need in the community, along with how it aligns with the foundation’s objectives and vision.”
Taylor added that as the community grows, people need to become aware of what resources are out there and what the foundation does to support them.
“That’s why one of the granting criteria is how is the foundation going to be recognized through this. We want to make sure that the donations we receive have a long-lasting impact in the community.”
Taylor expressed gratitude to everyone in the community who contributed to the foundation.
“The foundation’s vision is to help good people do great things. For many years, this board has successfully done that, by contributing to a number of non-profit organizations, and different initiatives in and around Plum Coulee. Our dedicated board has more than pulled its weight for the last year, after we lost a few board members. If anyone is interested in joining the board, please reach out to us.”
He added, “I think the more the merrier. It allows us to spread the work, so we can accomplish more to allocate resources and to take on new initiatives. Plus, it adds a fresh perspective and a bounty of new ideas.”
The foundation is also looking to add a part-time administrator to assist the board.
“We are currently exploring multiple options, to ensure the foundation remains intact for the foreseeable future,” said Taylor.
Going forward, the board will be putting a strong focus on growing its newly established Administrative Fund, with the goal of eventually hiring an administrator.
The position was formerly part of a shared work program, with Endow Manitoba paying half the salary of an administrator and the foundation making up the rest.
However, that arrangement has since shifted, and the Plum Coulee Foundation has begun relying on the Winkler Community Foundation’s administrator.
Taylor says it’s now necessary for the board to find a long-term solution.
“It’s been more difficult to operate a charity or not-for-profit. That’s why it’s important to allocate certain resources to our Administrative Fund, so that somebody who is well-versed in those areas can take care of it.”
Taylor expressed his gratitude for the board.
“You are extremely hard-working and dedicated. I want you to know you are valued. This foundation couldn’t operate without you.”
