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This week, the Community Foundation for Portage and District (CFPD) invites Portage la Prairie residents to make a difference that will last for generations.
Until November 17, CFPD’s Giving Challenge Week will stretch donations further, turning every $5 gift into $7, thanks to contributions from The Winnipeg Foundation and the Manitoba government.
Kim Lavallee, Executive Director of CFPD, says Giving Challenge Week is one of the most rewarding times of the year.
“This fall, we had a huge ask, and we did in the spring as well. It goes to show that there is a need, greater than what we have, so I would encourage everyone to donate this giving challenge to help the community grow.”
But there’s more than just stretching dollars; everyone who donates over $20 this week will be entered to win a $100 gift card to Tornado’s Restaurant and Lounge. Lavallee noted more than $55,000 had already come in at the halfway point of the week and added there were some indications some big donations were still to come.
For Board Chair Warren Neufeld, the beauty of the CFPD’s work lies in the long-term benefits.
“We are just wrapping up our fall granting cycle, and we have about $183,000 that we're going to award to different groups this year. It's a significant impact on our community year after year after year, to be able to support local organizations and groups and give back. When you give to us, we're able to give back and back and back, and it just makes a big difference.”
Neufeld noted that grant recipients will be announced soon.
CFPD is also looking for pitches for its annual “150 Women Who Care” event, where one deserving local group will receive a $10,000 grant. Lavallee encouraged organizations to apply on their website.