The Winkler Community Foundation (WCF) celebrated its 30th year of giving with its largest grant distribution amount ever last week.
The foundation presented 33 local non-profits with a whopping $205,836—a far cry indeed from the $8,500 or so the agency gave out in its first granting year.
“The foundation was founded in 1988, but didn’t really become active until 1993. And then it took until 1996 before we granted [funds],” shared board president Barb Neufeld.
“The foundation was founded or established with a clear mission to support and strengthen the community by providing grants to various local initiatives. Over the past 30 years, the foundation has granted millions of dollars to a wide range of projects from education and healthcare to arts and culture, ensuring that every corner of our community benefits from its generosity.
“When I say ‘its generosity’ it’s actually the citizens of the community, it’s their generosity, because that’s where the money comes from,” Neufeld stressed. “The foundation’s success can be attributed to unwavering support of local donors, businesses, and community leaders who recognize the importance of investing in our future. Through endowments and donations, they have made it possible for the foundation to grant funds to vital programs that enrich lives and enhance the quality of life for all our residents.”
Since that first granting year back in 1996, WCF has awarded over $3.4 million to community organizations and projects.
This year, as in every year, the bulk of the grants come from WCF’s Community Fund, which is its general, unrestricted endowment fund. But thousands of dollars are also distributed annually through the agency’s various donor-advised, agency-specific, memorial, designated, and field of interest funds.
The way endowment funds work is the initial donation is never granted out—rather, it is the interest the endowment generates annually that provides the grants, ensuring the initial gift is one that gives back in perpetuity.
The list of 2025 recipients is long and varied, running the gamut from sizeable donations of $10,000 to agencies like the Central Station Community Centre and programs like the Imagination Library to smaller amounts in support of playground improvement projects at local schools and day cares, ball diamond upgrades, and the local Christmas hamper program.
“These are just a few ways that grants have been used to improve the lives of citizens in Winkler and the surrounding area,” Neufeld said. “We are so proud and so happy to be able to do that again today.”
“As we honour the past 30 years, we look forward to the future with renewed energy and dedication,” noted foundation executive director Myra Peters, stressing the agency is “committed to continuing its mission of granting support, fostering community spirit, and enriching lives.
“With every donation, every initiative, and every partnership, we strengthen our community and pave the way for future generations.”
‘That’s beautiful to see’
Nearly all of this year’s grant recipients had representatives on hand at the celebration last week.
Harold Espinosa from Sixteen13 Ministry, which received $3,500 for generators for its food truck, called the support a blessing.
“With the proceeds that comes from that, it helps families that are struggling,” he said.
This is the first time the ministry has received a grant from the foundation, and Espinosa shared their gratitude for it.
“It sends a strong message to the community that they care, and the people who are donating to the foundation are showing again that they care,” he said. “The more people who are caring and pouring into the community … we become more of a community that wants to do something for others. And that’s beautiful to see.”
Monica Dueck from the Winkler Family Resource Centre said the $2,200 they received will help them upgrade their aging computer systems.
“They’re a little old, a little creaky, so we’re very excited to be able to invest in something new,” she said.
“This kind of funding is always a little bit harder to get because it’s operational funding, it’s not the fun stuff, it’s not funding things for kids to play with,” Dueck said, noting, though, it’s no less important to the centre’s operations. “We’re always very thankful for the Winkler Community Foundation for helping us with some of these things that are harder to get the money for.”
Kristina Graham with the Pembina Valley Humane Society explained the $1,000 grant they received will go towards their spay/neuter assistance program.
“We definitely need these funds to help community members who are struggling to get their animals fixed,” she said. “These funds make it possible.
“Without foundations like the Winkler Area Foundation, I don’t think a lot of important work would get done,” Graham added, “and a lot of needs would not be met.”
