Community Foundation celebrates milestones

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Published on Friday, March 27, 2015

By Kate Jackman-Atkinson

This year, the Beautiful Plains Community Foundation is celebrating its 20th anniversary and those involved with the organization are hoping to see the community celebrate with them. On Saturday, April 18, the Foundation will be holding a birthday party, one of a few special events planned for this year.

The party, called the Spring Celebration Family Dance, is a fun family event open to all. This new event will replace the more formal Spring Celebration Dinner and Dance, which has been held in previous years.  This year’s celebration will start with free dance lessons from 6 to 7 p.m. and the family dance will run from 7 p.m. until 11. There will be cupcakes for kids to decorate as well as snacks and juice. Admission is by donation.

Started in 1995, the Foundation supports local organizations through its annual grants. All money donated to the Foundation is kept in an endowment fund and only the interest is used to provide grants. To date, more than $1 million has been given local initiatives.

While grants can only be provided to organizations with a charitable number, groups without a number can apply through another organization, such as a municipality. This year’s deadline for grant applications is March 31.

As the organization enters its third decade, board members are looking for some feedback from community members. They have created a survey which is open to anyone, even those who know nothing about the Foundation.  It aims to better understand how the foundation is viewed by the public and the types of activities that have the most impact.  

In an effort to encourage more responses, the foundation is giving away two prizes of $50 Neepawa Chamber bucks.  The first draw was made last week and was won by Christine Waddell. The second prize will be drawn after the April 28 deadline. A link to the survey can be found at www.beautifulplainscf.ca