Manitobans to Annually Recognize Invaluable Contributions of Community Foundations
WINNIPEG — Community foundations across Manitoba and those who contribute time, effort, and money to support them will now receive well-earned recognition following the passage of Bill 202, the Community Foundation Day Act, Spruce Woods MLA Grant Jackson announced this afternoon.
“This legislation is about recognizing the community foundations that make meaningful and lasting contributions throughout our province, as well as the volunteers and donors who make it all possible,” said Jackson, who introduced the bill. “The dozens of community foundations in Manitoba deserve to be honoured and celebrated for the work they do in making our communities sustainable and vibrant.”
With the passage of the private member’s bill, Community Foundation Day in Manitoba will be recognized annually on April 26, the date when Canada’s first community foundation, The Winnipeg Foundation, was established by William Forbes Alloway and his wife Elizabeth Alloway in 1921.
Community foundations work by pooling and permanently investing donations entrusted to them, with the interest they generate granted to local charitable organizations for various projects, activities, and programs. The capital is never spent, allowing the monetary gifts to support communities and worthwhile endeavours indefinitely.
The “gifts that keep on giving” through community foundations, Jackson noted, have immensely helped Manitobans for decades, as the province is home to 57 community foundations—the most per capita in North America. Among all provinces, Manitoba consistently has the highest percentage of tax-filers who donate to charities, Jackson added.
“This is something to be proud of, as is the work of staff and volunteers at community foundations in recruiting donors to give back to our communities,” said Jackson. “In this way, they contribute to our province and ensure our communities thrive into the future.”
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