Grant and Funding Programs Offered by Wawanesa Community Foundation Inc.

Wawanesa Community Foundation Inc. is a community foundation and registered charity serving the Village of Wawanesa and the surrounding area within the Wawanesa School catchment area in Manitoba. Created in 1993 through a founding endowment of $50,000 from Ernest Albert (Mick) Mitchell in memory of his parents Harold and Ella Mitchell, the foundation builds permanent endowed funds that generate sustainable annual income. This investment income is used to make grants to local organizations and initiatives that enhance quality of life in the community.

The foundation manages a diversified portfolio of funds, including undesignated "Community Forever" funds that allow the Board of Directors to respond flexibly to changing community needs, as well as field of interest funds, designated funds, scholarship and bursary funds, and special-purpose funds for recreation, heritage, cultural, and faith-based projects.

Across its funds, the foundation supports a wide range of local priorities. Examples include heritage preservation through the Sipiweske Museum Heritage Trust Fund, recreation and infrastructure through the Trevor McKenzie Recreation Fund and the Sonny Decock Waterpark Fund, faith and community life through the Cory Church Fund, and youth development and education through the Agricultural Society Scholarship Fund, the Hampton Family Scholarship Fund, and the Youth in Philanthropy Fund.

The Board invites grant requests annually, with a public call for applications covering projects over a defined period. Priority is given to specific projects that primarily benefit residents of Wawanesa and nearby areas. Organizations are expected to demonstrate strong governance, fiscal responsibility, and effective management. Grants are not intended to cover general operating expenses of established agencies.

For unrestricted and community funds, the Board of Directors reviews applications based on alignment with community needs, the capacity of the applicant organization, and the potential impact of the proposed project. Funds such as field of interest and designated funds are distributed in accordance with donor intentions, with flexibility maintained if beneficiary organizations change name, purpose, or cease operations.

The foundation actively encourages planned giving and gifts of assets. Donors can establish named family funds or scholarships, typically with a minimum contribution noted on the site, to create a lasting legacy. The foundation offers several structures — Community Forever Fund, Field of Interest Fund, and Designated Fund — to match donor wishes with community needs. New funds such as the Wawanesa Insurance Caring for the Community Fund and the Donna Clark Community Forever Fund illustrate how individual and corporate donors can endow long-term support for local priorities.

The foundation is administered by a volunteer Board of Directors drawn from the local community, including roles such as Chair, Past Chair, Treasurer, and Secretary. It also supports a Youth in Philanthropy club, which receives an annual allocation from a dedicated endowment to review grant applications and select youth-led or youth-focused projects, fostering the next generation of community leaders and donors.