Grant and Funding Programs Offered by Rivers and Area Community Foundation (RACF)

Rivers and Area Community Foundation is a community foundation serving the Town of Rivers, Manitoba, and the surrounding rural area. Created in 2008 following a major bequest from local farmer Bernard Goekoop, it builds permanent endowment and donor-advised funds and uses the investment income to provide grants and scholarships. Over its first decade and a half, the foundation has granted hundreds of thousands of dollars to community projects, facilities and organizations.

The foundation manages a central Community Endowment Fund as well as several named funds under its umbrella, including the Society of Friends of Rivers Collegiate Scholarship Fund, the Bill and Helen Sibbald Legacy Fund, the Leonard and Gladys Burt Family Fund, the Lorrie Dyer Memorial Fund, the Alan & Donna Morken Emergency Services Fund and the Riverdale District Health Auxiliary Fund. These funds allow donors to target specific themes such as agriculture, environment, fine arts, emergency services or postsecondary education.

Rivers and Area Community Foundation runs a regular annual granting period each year, typically opening on September 1 and closing September 30. Eligible projects must be located in Rivers and area and directly benefit local residents. Grants support a wide range of sectors: health, culture and heritage, community services, education, recreation, youth and seniors, environment and conservation, and agriculture. The foundation also administers scholarship funds that provide annual awards to students connected to Rivers Collegiate and the local health auxiliary.

In addition to its core program, the foundation administers specialized streams such as the Bill & Helen Sibbald Legacy Fund, restricted to agriculture, environment and culture/heritage, and the Thomas Sill Manitoba Fund Grant, an annual program supported by the assets of the former Thomas Sill Foundation. The Thomas Sill Manitoba Fund has its own separate application window, with projects required to be completed and reported on within specified timelines.

Funding is directed primarily to qualified donees and incorporated not-for-profit grantees as defined by the Canada Revenue Agency. Organizations must demonstrate a strong and committed board, sound financial management and effective operations. Projects must meet an identified community need, benefit mainly local residents and usually be time-limited with clear objectives and, where appropriate, maintenance or sustainability plans.

The foundation’s guidelines emphasize supporting projects that encourage efficient use of community resources, introduce new approaches to solving local issues, foster cooperation among organizations, avoid duplication of services, promote volunteer participation and strengthen management capacity. It generally does not fund individuals, ongoing operating expenses, purely religious or political activities, retroactive costs or contributions to endowment capital.

Successful applicants are required to sign on to terms and conditions and later submit a final report, typically by August 31 of the following year, outlining how grant funds were used and what results were achieved. This reporting helps the foundation demonstrate impact to donors and guide future funding decisions. Annual reports and a detailed list of grant recipients published on the website provide transparency about grants awarded and highlight projects ranging from playgrounds and sports facilities to museums, legions, daycares, health equipment and emergency services.

Through partnerships with Endow Manitoba, The Winnipeg Foundation, Community Foundations of Canada and local donors, Rivers and Area Community Foundation aims to "give, grant and grow" so that residents can give where they live and see lasting benefits in their community.