Manitobans work together to raise more than $1.2 million for community foundations during the Endow Manitoba Giving Challenge

Each qualifying $5 gift was worth $7 thanks to stretch funding from the Manitoba government and The Winnipeg Foundation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: This past November, Manitobans once again demonstrated why we achieve more when we work together by raising more than $1.2 million for community foundations during the Endow Manitoba Giving Challenge.

During this year’s Giving Challenge, which lasted from Nov. 9 to 15, each $5 gift made to a Manitoba community foundation’s undesignated fund was stretched by $1 from The Winnipeg Foundation (to a maximum of $2,000 per foundation) and by $1 from the Manitoba government (to a maximum of $2,000 per foundation). Complete 2020 Giving Challenge results [PDF]

To qualify for stretch funding, gifts had to be made to community foundations’ undesignated funds. This type of fund provides community foundations with the greatest flexibility in responding to their communities’ changing needs and emerging priorities through grants to local charities. Since gifts to community foundations are endowed, Manitobans’ generosity ensures permanent support for their communities. The Giving Challenge is coordinated by Endow Manitoba, an initiative of The Winnipeg Foundation.

“Manitoba is home to 56 community foundations – the most community foundations (CF) in a Canadian jurisdiction and, per capita, the highest concentration of CFs in North America,” says Alan Goddard, Director of Endow Manitoba. “Those truths, combined with this year’s results, are irrefutable evidence that Manitobans care about their communities and want to contribute to their collective well-being.”

“In spite of the trying environment caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, this year also marked Brandon Area Community Foundation’s most successful results for the Giving Challenge,” says Laura Kempthorne, Brandon Area Community Foundation’s Executive Director. “This is a testament to the resilience of our supporters and of our community. We especially want to thank the generosity of our donors and the efforts of our volunteers in supporting our work with the community, now and into the future.”

Endow Manitoba Giving Challenge 2020 highlights:

• $1,254,238.81 raised
• $1,077,112.15 total gift value
• $177,126.66 total stretch value
• 2,450 gifts made 33 community foundations received maximum stretch

Historic amounts raised during 24-Hour Giving Challenge:

• 2020 – $1,254,238.81
• 2019 – $1,010,386.83
• 2018 – $1,016,666.61
• 2017 – $893,448.89
• 2016 – $497,115.99
• 2015 – $555,868 2014 – $245,428

Community foundations are charities, built by communities for communities. Gifts are pooled and permanently invested, and the interest earned is granted to local initiatives each year. Since the capital is never spent, your gifts support the community forever. Every year, community foundations invest millions of dollars into a wide range of local charitable projects, helping ensure our Manitoba hometowns are vibrant and thriving.

• Media release – Manitobans work together to raise more than $1.2 million for community foundations during the Endow Manitoba Giving Challenge [PDF]
• 2020 Giving Challenge results [PDF]

Endow Manitoba represents the network of our province’s community foundations. An initiative of The Winnipeg Foundation, Endow Manitoba works with the province’s 56 community foundations to increase their impact and to advance the movement.