Reflecting on our past to ensure a strong future

Sept. 30, 2018 was an important day on The Foundation’s calendar. It marked the end of our current fiscal year and the beginning of our next planning period. Our new 2019-2021 Strategic Plan will soon be available on our website. Already in this magazine, you can see some elements of how we are positioning for the future. Before we shift all eyes on what lies ahead, it is important to reflect on the past 12 months.

It seems that every year there are new milestones to celebrate and in fiscal 2018, The Foundation received more than 7,500 gifts—certainly a new record. People from all walks of life have contributed generously to endowments held at The Foundation. As these funds are invested and generate annual income, we can look forward to a steadily increasing and sustained flow of grants back to local charities. To everyone who has supported our community through The Foundation, we say a most sincere ‘thank you’ for your confidence and your generosity.

We awarded hundreds of grants in 2018, some of which are described in the Promising Projects section of the magazine. There is no question that philanthropy has a meaningful impact on our community. Our Winnipeg’s Vital Signs 2017 report highlighted the key areas Winnipeggers see as priorities, perhaps the most important of which is reconciliation with our Indigenous communities. Our Board has already committed $1 million for organizations working to implement the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action and which relate to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. We also produced a special report called Stressed, Stretched and Still Standing which describes the state of many charitable organizations in our city. Both of these publications are available on our website. This work sets the stage for our plans during the coming three years.

For me personally, our ‘green space’ grants are particular highlights of the past year. The re-developed entrance to South Point at The Forks and creation of the St. Boniface Belvedere on Tache Ave. will add significantly to the vitality of our downtown. And once again, it is important to acknowledge none of this would be possible with the generous legacies that have been created by our donors.