General Questions
What is a community foundation?
Community foundations promote philanthropy and provide volunteer help and financial resources to diverse local groups, community projects and charities that are essential to the community, making it a better place to live, work and raise a family.
The Brokenhead River Community Foundation is led by dedicated community volunteers who endeavour to administer and encourage growth of the Endowment Fund. A key role of a community foundation is collecting and investing donations. Then the investment earnings from these donations are used to support a variety of projects within the community.
Community grants, scholarships and bursaries are awarded to projects and groups that serve as many people as possible in a variety of areas of interest and need. A gift to your Foundation is an investment in the future of your community.
What is an endowment fund?
An endowment fund is like an investment account for the community. The investment earnings from these donations are used to support a variety of projects within the community. Gifts are permanently invested and a portion of the income earned is distributed every year to local registered charities as grants.
Donating
How do I donate?
The Brokenhead River Community Foundation helps to connect donors to the causes they care about. Donations can be made in cash, cheque, e-transfer or credit card.
1. Cash / Cheque by mail
Brokenhead River Community Foundation
Box 2225, Beausejour, MB, R0E 0C0
Please include your name, phone number, mailing address and email address.
2. E-Transfer
Send gift to brcf@brcfoundation.ca
Please include your name, phone number, mailing address and email address.
3. Credit Card
Follow the link below:
What are different ways I can support the Brokenhead River Community Foundation?
Personal
A gift during your lifetime.
By Will
A bequest may be for a specific amount or for the residue of an estate or any portion thereof.
Life Insurance
Insurance can be an ideal way to create a major gift at a relatively low cost to the donor.
Memorial Gift
Make a memorial gift to perpetuate the name of a friend or relative.
Gift of Shares/Bonds
Publicly listed securities are not subject to capital gains tax when they are donated directly to a charity without being sold first, and you still receive a tax receipt for the value of the donation. This makes them an especially tax-efficient gift.
Multi-year Pledge
You may make an initial contribution and a commitment to add to the initial donation over a period of years.
Corporate
A business may find it advantageous to use the Brokenhead River Community Foundation as a vehicle for its charitable purposes by establishing its own ‘named’ fund.
What is a legacy gift?
A legacy gift is a future charitable gift through one or more of the following:
– Will– Listed appreciated securities
– Life insurance
– Retirement assets (RRSP, RRIF)
– Charitable remainder trusts
– Residual interest
Legacy gifts to The Brokenhead River Community Foundation can be directed to an existing fund, or you can create your own endowment fund.
Granting
Is my project eligible for a grant?
Grant Eligibility Terms:
– Only community organizations that are non-profit may apply.– Grants are not made to individuals or businesses.
– The availability of other sources of funding/granting/fundraising must be in place; the Foundation will not fund 100% of any particular project.
Preference is given to projects which:
– Serve a need in the community
– Involve organizations in the community
– Demonstrate new approaches and techniques in the solution of community problems
– Strengthen the social and cultural structure of the community
– Emphasize and utilize the skills and resources that exist in the community
– Have a well-planned approach with a broad public appeal
– Working in partnership or collaboration with other community partners
– Include organization’s demonstration of financial commitment towards the project (minimum 25%)
Grants are not ordinarily made for:
– Research
– Seminars, conferences or workshops
– Tours or travel outside of the community
– Sectarian, religious or political purposes
– Fund raising activities
– General endowment or sustaining funds
– Core operating costs or capital building campaigns
– To retire debt
– Capital projects located outside the Beausejour or Brokenhead area
My project has already started/ended. Can I still apply?
No. Grants will not be made to cover expenses incurred before the grant decision date.
How many applications can I submit?
You may submit one application per calendar year.
How do I apply?
Visit our Grant information page for application forms and assistance. We also have a Granting Guide to aid in the application process. The Grants Committee will review and evaluate all applications and make a recommendation to the Board of Directors for approval. Applicants must demonstrate how their initiative will benefit the community and how the project will be funded beyond the grant from the Community Foundation. If you have any further questions please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. You can find our contact information here.
Scholarships/Bursaries
What scholarships/bursaries can I apply for?
The Brokenhead River Community Foundation currently offers a number of scholarships and bursaries for students residing in the École Edward Schreyer School Catchment area. Please see our Scholarships and Bursaries page for the latest information.
How do I apply?
Speak with your Guidance Counselor or reach out to brcf@brcfoundation.ca to discuss applications. When you are ready, fill out the online application form to be considered.
