Altona Community Foundation, along with the 56 other community foundations in the province, are celebrating today. April 26th is Community Foundations Day in Manitoba. The provincial government proclaimed the day in 2023,
"Manitoba is home to 57 community foundations, which is the most foundations per capita in North America," shared Altona Community Foundation President Haydon Friesen. "Our province's thriving community foundation movement demonstrates the generosity of Manitobans, making our province consistently the most generous in Canada."
Rural community foundation impact substantial
According to information from Endow Manitoba, the umbrella organization which assists foundations across the province, the impact our community foundations have in rural Manitoba is significant. In 2023, over 1,800 grants were disbursed, with a value of nearly $9 million going back into our communities. 658 volunteers oversaw those rural Community Foundations, managing assets of more than $186 million dollars.
" We recognize all that's been done prior to today to establish the Foundation and grow the Endowment Fund, which in turn will allow us to continue granting to our organizations in the Altona and Rhineland area, and ultimately to the benefit of all the residents in our area, improving their quality of life," said Friesen.
Spring grant application period open until end of month
Meanwhile, the Altona Community Foundation is currently accepting grant applications for its Spring intake. Over $65,000 is available for granting this period, with $140,000 combined between Spring and Fall periods.
"We did receive the large contribution from the Thomas Sill Foundation, which we will now start to see trickle into our granting dollars that are available on an annual basis," he explained. "With those funds now collecting returns, and allowing us to grant them out, we'll see $140,000 available for Spring and Fall granting cycles to get out into the community, and help those organizations financially who may just need a boost to get to the finish line."
The Altona Community Foundation is coming off a very successful 2024, with Friesen noting some of the projects they supported last year including the new Kiddie Sunshine Centre daycare project, the Altona Angels Softball diamonds renovation project and a grant to the Altona Community Healthcare Board for a physician's office/break room renovation at the Altona Clinic.
The application deadline is April 30th, and you can learn more by clicking here.