Manitobans will once again have the chance to see their generosity go further during the 2025 Endow Manitoba Giving Challenge, taking place November 10 to 16.
The province-wide campaign encourages donors to give to their local community foundation’s unrestricted or community funds, helping grow endowments that provide annual grants to local charities, schools and service groups.
“The need for grants to local charities has grown exponentially,” said Tracy Holod, executive director of the Interlake Community Foundation (ICF). “The Giving Challenge is our biggest source of new donations to support the Community Grants Program. Unrestricted donations allow the ICF to direct the funding to where it’s needed most every year.
“This year, the ICF is granting $60,000 as part of our Community Grants Program. However, we received requests totalling over $101,000. We would love to be able to fund every qualifying grant application.”
Holod noted that past Giving Challenge donations have had a lasting impact across the region.
“Because of the Endow Manitoba Giving Challenge, the ICF created a permanent unrestricted fund called the ‘All Communities Fund’ in 2020,” she said. “Since the first donation of $1,000, the fund has grown to $166,629 and has granted out $6,000 through our Community Grant Program since 2021. This amount will continue to grow every year.”
Holod encourages everyone to take part during the Giving Challenge week.
“Any amount helps,” she said. “We pool the donations and the small ones really do add up. We appreciate all gifts — and our donors — so much. By making grants to local communities, we are the local ‘one-stop donation shop.’”
The ICF will host a Giving Challenge Open House on Wednesday, November 12 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the main floor of the Town of Stonewall Hall.
“We ask folks to drop by for a coffee and cookie,” Holod said. “We will be accepting donations that day in person by cash, e-transfer, credit card and cheque. If you’re not ready to make a gift, come and chat with our board and staff — we love to talk about the ICF.”
For one week only, contributions made during the Endow Manitoba Giving Challenge are matched by both The Winnipeg Foundation and the Province of Manitoba, up to a combined maximum of $4,000 per foundation — meaning each local donation can have double the impact.
For more information or to donate, visit interlakefoundation.ca or endowmb.org.
