FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Family literacy initiatives across Manitoba will be able to deliver more programs and provide more resources, thanks to a new literacy endowment fund and a remarkable challenge grant from the federal government.

The Winnipeg Foundation, Literacy Partners of Manitoba and the Winnipeg Public Library have teamed-up to create the Literacy for Life Fund – a permanent endowment fund that the three partners along with community support, aim to build to $2 million, thanks to a $1-million dollar challenge grant from the National Literacy Secretariat (NLS) of Human Resources Development Canada.

"Raising the necessary capital for an endowment fund often requires a significant collective effort. To make $100,000 available every year for grants, requires a capital pool of $2 million. This is why the Federal Challenge of matching - dollar for dollar - $1 million is so important. Without question, it provides a wonderful incentive and it makes this goal achievable" said Winnipeg Foundation Board member Justice Guy Kroft, speaking at this morning's announcement.

The NLS will match contributions to the fund up to $1 million. Donations made by the community and private organizations will not only have an impact now and forever - they will have double impact because of the federal grant.

Literacy Partners of Manitoba (LPM) is a network of individuals and groups involved in family and adult literacy in the province. Since it was established in 1987, LPM has acted as a voice for literacy – representing more than 30 family literacy programs and a dozen learning centres across the province.

"Family literacy programs help us reach and teach two generations at once, to achieve double duty dollars for investing in community programs; that's twice the impact," said Marg Rose, Executive Director of LPM.

Winnipeg Public Library provides quality, responsive and innovative information services, aimed at fostering the individual pursuit of knowledge and enhancing cultural, economic and intellectual vitality. It has 20 branches throughout the city and offers a broad range of services. With an initial grant form the Literacy for Life fund, the Winnipeg Public Library has purchased a new collection of dual language books, books and tapes in Aboriginal languages and adult learning materials.

Mayor Glen Murray says, "Winnipeg's future rests in the unbridled imaginations of our children. This is a valuable investment in the family-based literacy programs we now have in libraries across the city. It's about adults and kids together, learning and celebrating the cultural differences that make each of us special. I can't think of a better idea than that."

The Literacy for Life Fund will be a permanent field of interest endowment administered by The Winnipeg Foundation. Because the fund will be invested in perpetuity, it will provide a permanent annual income stream to support literacy programs in Manitoba.

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For more information, contact:

Richard Frost, CEO, The Winnipeg Foundation 204.944.9474 or visit www.wpgfdn.org

Marg Rose, Executive Director, Literacy Partners Manitoba 204.947.5757 or visit www.mb.literacy.ca

Rick Walker, Head, Library Services, City of Winnipeg 204.986.6472 or visit wpl.city.winnipeg.mb.ca/library/