Role of Clearwater Community Foundation in the funding ecosystem
Clearwater Community Foundation is a volunteer‑driven charitable foundation dedicated to supporting the rural community of Clearwater, Manitoba and surrounding area. As a community foundation, it pools donations into permanent endowment funds and invests these assets for the long term. Each year, a portion of the investment income is granted back to local projects and students, ensuring stable, ongoing support for community priorities.
The foundation currently manages a General Community Fund and the Burgess Scholarship Fund. The General Community Fund provides flexible resources to respond to emerging needs and opportunities in areas such as community facilities, recreation, culture, and other local initiatives that enhance quality of life. The Burgess Scholarship Fund focuses on helping students from the region pursue further education by offering scholarships on a recurring basis.
Granting and scholarship activities
Clearwater Community Foundation follows the standard community foundation model described by Endow Manitoba: endowment capital is preserved, while income is distributed as grants. The foundation posts clear annual deadlines for its programs, with an April 30 deadline for community grant applications and May 31 and December 1 deadlines for scholarship applications. Grants are generally awarded to qualified charities, municipalities, or community groups working in partnership with registered charities, and must benefit residents within the foundation’s service area.
Scholarships supported through the Burgess Scholarship Fund give financial assistance to deserving students, reinforcing the foundation’s commitment to education and youth. By combining community‑oriented granting with direct support to learners, the foundation addresses both present and future needs of the region.
Governance, mission and community impact
The foundation is governed by a local volunteer Board of Directors, including roles such as Chair, Vice‑Chair, Secretary and Treasurer, and several community members. This structure helps ensure that funding decisions reflect local priorities and that granting remains accountable to residents.
Its mission is to support community and area projects so they can continue to provide a healthy and active rural environment for years to come. Its vision emphasizes building permanent endowments and offering leadership that enables donors to make lasting investments in the community. Through its endowed funds, regular granting cycles, and scholarship support, Clearwater Community Foundation plays a key role in sustaining and improving the quality of life in Clearwater and the surrounding rural area over the long term.