A new endowment fund has been created to help sustain local efforts aimed at reducing poverty and strengthening community well-being.
Thanks to proceeds from the Boyne River Keepers’ Ladies Event Gala in the spring and additional community donations that followed, Carman Wellness Connections Inc. has now reached the threshold to establish the Carman Wellness Connections Endowment Fund with the Carman Area Foundation (CAF). The fund was created with an initial contribution of approximately $10,000, meeting the foundation’s requirement to open a named endowment.
Carman Wellness Connections (CWC) is a volunteer-driven charitable organization focused on building an inclusive community where everyone has the opportunity and support to flourish. The group leads six community working groups that tackle the root causes of poverty, including housing instability, food insecurity, and financial and emotional stress.
“While the fund is small to start, its establishment marks an important step toward long-term sustainability,” said Lisa Lehmann, CWC coordinator. “It creates a foundation that can grow over time and, one day, provide ongoing support for our work in the community. For now, we’re simply grateful to have it in place and to begin building toward that future.”
As the fund grows, the income will support local initiatives that align with CWC’s mission to reduce poverty and strengthen well-being. Lehmann said the organization looks forward to partnering with schools and other local groups on initiatives such as EmpowerMen workshops, and to supporting collaborative efforts that offer practical, community-driven solutions to complex social challenges.
The fund carries special meaning for many residents, having been inspired by the tragic deaths of Amanda Clearwater, her children, and her niece in February 2024, the result of domestic violence.
“This fund was inspired by the outpouring of care and concern that followed the tragic loss of Amanda Clearwater, her children, and her niece,” Lehmann said. “It reflects the community’s desire not just to grieve, but to act. By supporting work that addresses the root causes of poverty and violence, the fund helps turn that moment of collective compassion into lasting, meaningful change.”
Caddie Crampton, Carman Area Foundation Community Foundations Officer, said welcoming Carman Wellness Connections as a new endowment holder is a powerful affirmation of the foundation’s mission.
“CWC’s mission—to address the root causes of poverty and prevent domestic violence—aligns seamlessly with our own value of fostering long-term well-being,” said Crampton. “The fund strengthens our collective ability to support grassroots initiatives that create lasting change, and it ensures that the memory of Amanda Clearwater and her family continues to inspire meaningful action.”
Crampton confirmed the fund’s initial contribution of just over $10,000 and explained that it is structured as a charitable organization fund, created by and for a registered charity to support its long-term operations.
“Under the Carman Area Foundation’s endowment model, the principal is carefully invested by The Winnipeg Foundation, and only a portion of the earnings is distributed annually,” she said. “This approach protects the original gift and generates a reliable stream of income year after year, ensuring long-term financial sustainability.”
She added that donations from individuals, families, and businesses can be made to the fund at any time, allowing it to grow and deepen its impact.
“It’s more than a financial resource—it’s a symbol of collaboration, compassion, and local leadership,” said Crampton. “By investing in prevention and wellness, we’re not just responding to crises—we’re working to prevent them. This fund invites all of us to be part of a legacy rooted in hope, healing, and collective strength.”
Donations to the Carman Wellness Connections Endowment Fund can be mailed, e-transferred or made through the Carman Area Foundation website: www.mycharitytools.com. Each contribution helps build a future where residents can live, learn, work, and play in a community that supports them to thrive.
