Executive Director Carol Light was involved in her second disbursement evening, but this was her first full year in the role. She said she learned a lot over the time spanned.
“It’s been very interesting to learn about the philanthropic world, because that’s not a world I’ve been a part of before this year,” Light explained. “Getting to know the community on a level I haven’t and different connections was important.”
She said the stories of her colleague Maxine Graham, who has spent so many years in the community, was very important in her development.
One area they began working on was policies to fit with provincial and national foundation organizations. They looked at different updates to the constitution, and other housekeeping work over the last year.
However, the granting from the interest of the Foundation’s investments that is always the big news. From the undesignated – the grants the board makes decisions on – a total of $124,436.01 was granted out. From that, the Youth in Philanthropy (YIP), a Boissevain high school group that makes their decisions on what they feel is worthwhile, receives $2,000. Light said YIP was under new leadership with
Holly Laing and she said they did great work. Their theme this year was Opportunity and Connection. The youth this year gave to six different organizations. An interesting one was $500 for Westview Lodge to create a dementia space.
“There was a very big range of where the money went.”
The Bowling Alley designated grant is going to the Boissevain School band program to help get instruments for the Grade 6 band. They received $3,631.
A new one for Foundations this year is the Generous Flow Through Grant from the Thomas Sill Foundation. Thomas Sill closed their foundation and gave the money to the Winnipeg Foundation for community foundation. Each year, Boissevain will get a substantial grant the board can make decisions on – grant it out at the time of undesignated grants, designate it to a project, or have special applications for it. As this year it was around $23,000, it is a substantial addition. This year, they split between two projects. Phase 2 of the playground project at the school, the basketball court for the high school, will receive the bulk of it, at $20,666. The music and band program at the school to purchase instruments received $2,237.32.
In the regular undesignated grants of $97,900, some of the larger included $12,987.74 to the Boissevain Morton Fire Department to purchase six Mototrbo R7 radios, as well as microphones/chargers. Boissevain Curling Club received $15,000 for a secondary heating source for the ice area. Southwest Seniors Housing received $11,000 for a Suzy Q Food Service Cart.
“There are a lot of foundational things for organizations, which is great. Not a lot of debate for sure around the table,” Light said. “I think having the Thomas Sill opportunity opened the door to look at some of the projects over $10,000. I thought it went very smoothly.”
Interestingly, another $3,902.56 went to the Grade 6 band. The idea is to be more accessible to students so they will not have to rent instruments, but borrow them from the school.
In 2024, the Foundation gave out $220,366 in total. Light said the markets were really good this past year, which helped a great deal. Also, Boissevain-Morton is a very giving community, which is key as well.
Light went to a national meeting in Halifax with chair Bob Birch and learned some new ideas from other foundations, some of whom have not been around as long as Boissevain.
“It’s important to note in the philanthropy world, everyone is so generous with their information and their time and those sorts of things. That’s been really exciting to see.”
The total asset base at this time is $4,822,480.77, meaning they are getting close to their next milestone. Light said they are also getting closer to granting their next million.
On Monday, November 10, the day of speaking, Light said they were beginning the 2025 Endow Manitoba Giving Challenge. Each $5 collected by participating foundations is matched with a dollar from both the Winnipeg Foundation and the Province of Manitoba. Boundary Co-op was participating to help the foundations in the area. The challenge goes until November 16, and the Foundation normally reaches to the top number of $10,000 to get the full amount. Light and members were out at the Co-op to help spread the news and collect donations.
“It is something the community has come to know, and they have responded to.”
Prior to the granting evening, Light said they usually draw quite well to the event. It was the second year the YIP has participated, which is a good opportunity for them.
The board will look very different this year, with many six and three year terms up. Chair Bob Birch, Treasurer Jim Dickinson and Treasurer Jill Hazlewood will all be leaving, as will Keith Forsyth, Aaron Cutler and Holly Laing. Nominating Chair Duane Latimer and his committee brought a big number of names as replacements. Heather Merckx, Angeline Bergman, Ryan Polnik, Trevor Hart, Leslie Turner and Brad Reimer are coming on.
Overall, the health of the Foundation is strong, Light said.
“I look forward to the future.”
by PAUL RAYNER, Recorder staff