Role of Plum Coulee Community Foundation in the funding ecosystem
The Plum Coulee Community Foundation (PCCF) is a community foundation based in Plum Coulee, Manitoba. Established in 2001 under the direction of the Samuel and Saidye Bronfman Family Foundation, it was created to manage charitable gifts, oversee permanent endowment funds, and channel investment earnings into grants that support local initiatives. In line with the wider Manitoba community foundations movement, PCCF helps residents pool donations into income-generating funds that are used to strengthen the community over the long term.
PCCF provides financial support to a wide variety of projects and organizations in and around Plum Coulee. Past grants have supported early childhood literacy through the Imagination Library, community festivals such as Plum Fest, playgrounds and sports facilities, pedestrian bridges and pathway lighting, community gardens, the Plum Coulee Elevator Museum, local fire and emergency services, beautification projects, and other volunteer-led initiatives. Through dedicated funds such as heritage and elevator maintenance funds, it also contributes to the preservation of local history and community spaces.
General approach to grants and eligibility
The foundation makes grants using earnings from its endowment funds, focusing on projects that enhance quality of life in Plum Coulee. The site notes that Manitoba community foundations typically support a broad range of sectors including health, education, social services, arts and culture, and the environment, and PCCF’s grant history reflects this diversity. Volunteer organizations, municipal projects, educational institutions, museums, festivals and community groups have all been among the beneficiaries.
PCCF runs an annual granting cycle and publishes a Grant Application Form and Process Package, allowing local groups to apply for funding. Awards are then decided and publicly reported each year, with detailed tables listing recipients, project purposes and amounts, including special initiatives such as Youth in Philanthropy grants and anniversary or MB 150 grants when available.
Governance, transparency and community leadership
The foundation is governed by a volunteer board of directors, including roles such as chair, vice-chair, secretary, treasurer and board members, and is supported by staff. Contact information, annual reports and financial statements are published, providing transparency about both the management of endowment assets and the allocation of grants. By coordinating local giving and directing funds to priority projects, PCCF acts as a catalyst for community development and as a steward of long-term community capital in Plum Coulee.