Area organizations received a welcome boost during the Beautiful Plains Community Foundation's (BPCF) Spring Grant Presentations last Tuesday night.
In total, 43 grants, funds and scholarships were doled out by the BPCF as part of its semi-annual grants evening.
"We had another great night where we were able to give $92,400 out through our Designated Funds, Community Fund and Youth Advisory Committee grants," BPCF executive director Linda Hart said following the event. "And because of community support we continue to be able to increase what we are able to give back to area organizations and initiatives every year."
Community Fund grants – which are chosen by board members and given to groups or initiatives being undertaken – were given to 18 organizations, totaling almost $33,000.
19 applications totaling more than $100,000 were received for Community Fund grants, but the Foundation wasn't able to give out quite that much. Hart points out the interest does bode well for BPCF's future.
"I think it shows there is a need for us," the executive director said.
Receiving the largest grant from the Community Fund was the Roxy Theatre, which was given $7,000 towards upgrading its projector system.
"As everyone knows, that's an important one right now," Hart noted.
Neepawa Minor Ball received $3,000 towards a pitching machine, while area groups like the Glenella Rec. Commission, given $2,000 towards plexi-glass purchases in its arena, and the Eden Hall and Rink getting $2,000 for its renovations, also benefited from BPCF's efforts.
Receiving $1,500 each were the Beautiful Plains Museum to renovate an old CN rail car to store its railway museum items in, and the hospital's Palliative Care group to purchase new furniture for family members visiting loved ones in the hospital.
Other recipients are listed on the following page.
The Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) – which is made up of seven NACI students – allocated $2,500 in grants to eight organizations. Its two largest grants, both valued at $500, were given to the Roxy Theatre and Country Meadows Personal Care Home.
Students spent time interviewing the different organizations in town and chose which ones they felt would benefit the most from funds given and how much to give.
"The idea behind YAC is to educate young people about philanthropy and for them to find out what the communities needs are right now," Hart explained.
The remaining $56,925 was given out through the Foundation's Designated Funds which are given to the same recipients every year.
The Neepawa Health Centre received $37,500 to help upgrade the equipment it has, a handful of the other grants went toward scholarships for NACI, and various other groups also received funds.
The Foundation's board continues to be pleased with the community support it's receiving.
In 2011, it received $135,716 in donations, pushing its funds base to an impressive $2.69 million; this year's grants are given based on the monetary interest gained on the 2011 funds base.
The Foundation's recent fundraisers, which included Ladies Night Out, the Shane Hnidy Golf Tournament and The Beetles concert, were all well-supported as well.
Community Fund Grants given -
Margaret Laurence Home Committee ($750); Beautiful Plains Rec. Committee ($2,000); Neepawa & Area Lily Festival ($1,000); Beautiful Plains Ag. Society ($725); Eden Hall & Rink ($2,000); Neepawa Golf & Country Club Inc. ($3,000); Beautiful Plains Museum ($1,500); Manitoba Holiday Festival of the Arts ($1,000)
NACTV ($3,000); Glenvilla Seniors Recreation Club ($500); Roxy Theatre ($7,000); Viscount Cultural Centre ($1,000); Neepawa & Area Palliative Care ($1,500); Harvest Sun Music Festival ($750); Neepawa Minor Ball ($3,000); Canadian Diabetes Ass. ($250); Neepawa & Area Cross Country Ski Club ($2,000); Glenella Rec. Commission ($2,000).
Youth Advisory Committee Grants given –
Roxy Theatre ($500); Communities in Bloom ($350); Neepawa Health Centre ($300); Country Meadows Personal Care Home ($500); Neepawa Public Library ($350); Neepawa Salvation Army ($200); Neepawa Animal Pound ($100); Beautiful Plains Museum ($200).