BACF Gives over $964,000 in 2021 Community Funding

The Brandon Area Community Foundation distributed community support of over $964,000 throughout Brandon and Southwestern Manitoba in 2021. The foundation supports all aspects of life in the region making grants to a wide variety of worthy causes.

The Brandon Area Community Foundation has given support to several projects across Southwestern Manitoba. These grants covered areas of arts & culture, environment, education, health & wellness, and community activities throughout the Westman region.

In addition to the generous donations received from individuals, organizations, and businesses, BACF was the recipient of the Tim Hortons Smile Cookie Campaign in 2021. All Smile Cookies were sold for $1 with the full $1 from each generously donated to the foundation. The weeklong campaign raised over $39,000 including a one-day cookie sales fund matching by the Cardinal Foundation.

Michelle Hood, Grant Chair for BACF said, “Despite the ongoing challenges we faced in the pandemic, individuals and businesses continued to step up and support the Brandon Area Community Foundation. Thanks to this generosity the foundation was able to continue making a difference in groups and organizations across Westman.”

Seniors for Seniors Technology Access Program

Last year also included the launch of two new high school scholarship programs through BACF. The first combined resources from the United Way of Brandon and the Brandon Area Community Foundation presenting three Youth in Philanthropy scholarships. The second program was the Irv Powers Memorial Baseball Scholarships that will be awarded annually to graduating students who are current members of Brandon Minor Baseball or Westman Softball and demonstrate academic achievement, community involvement and leadership skills

2021 BACF Highlights

• Grant to ACC Prairie Innovation Centre $500,000 combined donation with Gord & Diane Peters

• Grant to Brandon Seniors for Seniors Co-op $10,000 for their Technology Access Program for Seniors

• Crane Steel $10,000 donation to celebrate their 40^th Anniversary in business.

• Grant to Keystone Agriculture and Recreation Centre Inc. $25,000 towards a new multi-use facility.

• Anonymous grant to Prairie Oasis Senior Centre for $45,000

• Grant to Souris River Recreation Commission $60,000 towards the Wawanesa Arena Ice Plant Replacement.

• Grant to Valley Life Recreation $22,500 towards Squirrel Hills Trail Park.

• Grant to Virden Skate Park $25,000 to build a 6,500 square foot skate park.

The grants provided by BACF are possible thanks to generous gifts from local donors from all walks of life. Community foundations pool and endow (permanently invest) all gifts and the income earned supports a variety of projects within the foundation’s catchment area. The original contributions are never spent, ensuring a lasting legacy for donors and a permanent source of support for the community.

For a full listing of all grants distributed, please visit our website at bacf.ca.