“Nothing wrong with the designated,” Conway-Smith said, “but this gives the board more leeway.”
There were a large number of decisions to make this year. There were more requests for money this year, up to about 30. Chairperson Brandt Bessant said it is too bad they were not able to help everyone out who met their requirements, but he was happy with the decisions made.
“I think everybody did a good job in picking them,” Bessant explained. “It was a spirited conversation, with lots of good discussion.”
Those involved are not sure why they had the highest number of requests for several years. Conway-Smith felt it might simply be that more people know about them and what they do. Bessant speculated there might be a bit of a claw back from other areas, like government, so organizations are going another route.
“Everyone is watching their pocketbooks. Maybe the money isn’t going out as easily as it was.”
He added there might be more projects being done and or considered in Boissevain now than recently. Once someone sees another doing a project, it spurs them on to move ahead with their own, so the momentum perpetuates itself. They have to give out 3.5% each year, and in 2019, they went a little above that.
There were plenty of worthy projects that received help. The largest was $7,000 for a new columbarium in the Boissevain Cemetery. The committee has found a great interest in the first, and there was a need for one with more single compartments for ashes. Also, they donated $6,700 to the Legion Hall for a larger cooler and ice machine, part of their continuing upgrades.
One of the most important to them was the $4,400 for two fire suits for the fire department. As Bessant explained, helping those who help others is a no-brainer.
“The Fire Department is one of those essential needs,” he said. “It is essential but hopefully not required.”
One long-standing program that has worked very well is Youth in Philanthropy. They have earmarked $2,500 for this coming year’s program. It involves a group of students from Grades 10-12. They make the decision where the money goes each year. There are a few changes in how it is being handled, but Foundation members have been impressed with it overall. Bessant says it teaches young people about the needs in the community, to think outside of their own world. Conway-Smith says it operates differently than the Foundation in that instead of taking requests for grants, they research the organizations and go from there.
There will also be new members coming on the board this year, although they do not know who they are as of yet. Jamie Dobbyn, Brent Hazlewood, Keith Wooldridge and Diane Bell will be leaving. As with all community groups, finding new members is a challenge.
The giving night is not the end of the year for the Foundation. The Endow Manitoba 24 hour giving challenge will be held on November 16. If you make a donation to the Foundation on that day, it will be stretched on a two to five ratio, with a dollar added by the Winnipeg Foundation and a dollar by the Province of Manitoba. Conway-Smith said they usually do very well out of the challenge, more so than some others. Bessant said the community always responds well.
“What I like is you can go to somebody and say, ‘if you’re going to give to us, your five dollars turns to seven’.”
Also, they will soon be taking applications for the Manitoba 150 grants, which will be decided in early 2020. Next year is also the 45th anniversary of the Foundation, which is an important milestone.
Prior to the giving evening, Bessant and Conway-Smith said they usually draw well for the event, having 100 show up in 2018. The Foundation is doing very well, with total assets just off $4 million total. They continue to get strong donations, like the $10,000 from the late Anna Grace Diehl. The contribution to the community continues.
“The better we build the fund,” Bessant stated, “the better we will be able to give to those that need it.”
by PAUL RAYNER, Recorder staff