The Winnipeg Foundation's Board of Directors approved a record $16.2 million in grants to more than 600 local charitable organizations in the 2005 fiscal year – up about $1.5 million from the previous year, according to the Foundation's 2005 Annual Report, released today.

The report, titled Strengthening Community, highlights The Winnipeg Foundation's grantmaking and special projects, and profiles some of its donors over the past year. It also links the histories of the Foundation, local charitable organizations and donors.

"As Canada's first community foundation, we are proud of our history and tradition and are committed to finding new ways to continue to strengthen our community," says Richard Frost, the Foundation's Chief Executive Officer.

Release of the 2005 Annual Report, acknowledges the Foundation's deep community roots and celebration of its 85th anniversary this year. The report profiles grants made across a broad spectrum of areas, including: community service, education, health, environment, arts and culture, heritage and recreation.

Many grants made through the Centennial Neighbourhood project – a five-year Foundation commitment – builds on the strength and stability of Dufferin School. The grants supported many in-school initiatives aimed at enhancing students' educational experiences and programs based in Dufferin School, like the Family Resource Centre, that benefit the community.

The report showcases several other grants including one to Frontier College for its Families Learning Together initiative, an ESL program for recent immigrants. Another grant that received profile was made to the North End Women's Centre for its Silent Witness project, which saw eleven wooden silhouettes – each representing a female victim of violence – displayed in the Manitoba Legislative building.

Strengthening Community also highlights some of the Foundation's special projects promoting philanthropy in our community, including the support the Foundation provides to the 36 other community foundations in Manitoba. Also profiled in the report are the Foundation's Youth in Philanthropy program, which gives high schools students hands-on experience with philanthropy, and the Literacy for Life Fund, which makes small grants to grassroots family literacy programs.

The Winnipeg Foundation, established in 1921, is Canada's first community foundation. William Forbes Alloway's initial contribution of $100,000 started a movement that is the fastest growing vehicle for philanthropy in the country. Any individual or family can build an endowment fund at The Winnipeg Foundation. Funds are pooled and invested and the interest generated is allocated each year as grants. Today, the Winnipeg Foundation holds more than 1,700 endowment funds. Over its 85 year history, these funds have generated approximately $150 million that has been distributed by the Foundation to local charitable organizations.

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For more information, contact:
Richard Frost, CEO
The Winnipeg Foundation
944.9474