An annual initiative with the aim to engage women of all generations in community philanthropy in Morden is growing this year to involve more women and in turn give more back to the community.
The 2026 Power of the Purse is hoping to boost their numbers—both in terms of attendance and funds they’re able to grant out—with a price bump to $125 from $100.
“We thought the charities and projects are getting more expensive … so we decided to increase it,” said Morden Area Foundation board member Sue Nelson.
Along with a contribution from the foundation, it is anticipated the total granted out that day to three local community organizations could increase to around $15,000.
Initiated 11 years ago, Power of the Purse started out as the Women’s Giving Circle with the goal to raise $10,000 from 100 women giving $100 each. The idea was to bring local women together to learn about needs in the community and to support related initiatives through their donor-directed grants.
“The focus, as in other years, has been on projects that mainly affect the well-being of women and children,” said Nelson. “Some of them have been a bit broader than that, but in general that is what we are striving for, and I think we have three really, really good projects and charities this year. I’m really happy with what we have to offer to people.”
The participating charities are a secret until the event, but each one has been approved by the organizing committee and foundation board. Nelson offered a hint about one of the charities, describing it as an organization that has been quietly doing something on their own but which are now bringing their work to light in the greater community.
“We do have one that is a very long standing charity in the area … we have one that has been in the area for awhile but they are doing a project that I didn’t even know that they did.”
Nelson feels the Power of the Purse is well established in the community now, and it has traditionally had more applicants than they have room to support each year.
Last year it supported Chance 2 Camp and Chance 2 Grow of the Child and Family Services Foundation with $6,000, Pembina Hills Arts Council’s open art studio project with $6,000, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Pembina Valley for its Grow Youth workshop with $5,500, and the Douglas Kuhl School of Music in support of the string orchestra programs with $5,200.
This year’s gathering takes place on Saturday, April 11 at the Morden Activity Centre at 9:30 a.m.
For tickets, call 431-349-1850 or email info@mordenfoundation.ca by March 31.
Nelson encourages people to consider being part of it.
“I think it’s a great event. It’s a nice social event because people come out for brunch,” she said. “It’s nice to come together and see people again,” she said. “And it’s a philanthropic event too. There’s the opportunity for people to find out about the charities in the area.”
