The Brokenhead River Community Foundation is a local non-profit organization that provides financial support to charitable, educational, cultural and recreational projects in the Beausejour Brokenhead community.
The Brokenhead River Community Foundation maintains a collection of funds created through gifts from citizens, businesses and community organizations. It strives to be an accessible, innovative and transformative force in our community.
Since its incorporation in 1998, the Brokenhead River Community Foundation has continued to provide support to the community and will continue to do so into the future. All money gifted is never spent, but invested for perpetuity, with a portion of the interest earned going back into the community annually through grants, scholarships and bursaries.
The Foundation is dedicated to inspiring and helping people of all backgrounds and means, creating lasting legacies to benefit the community of Beausejour Brokenhead.
Please note that all grants, bursaries and scholarships are limited to the BRCF catchment area (formerly referred to as École Edward Schreyer School catchment)
In all funds “community” is to be understood as the BRCF catchment area unless otherwise stated.
BRCF & Community Funds
BRCF Administration Fund
The sole purpose of the Admin Fund is to support the Foundation’s operating budget or other charitable purposes approved by the Foundation Board of Directors.
BRCF General Community Fund
An all-purpose fund whose proceeds are used to support local charities and non-profit groups, by way of grants for projects that improve the community.
BRCF Sports Community Fund
A fund that exists to further sports and recreation opportunities in the area through community grants.
BRCF Youth in Philanthropy (YiP) Fund
Youth in Philanthropy (YiP) is a youth-led program designed to introduce motivated high school-aged young people to philanthropy and local community development. It aims to empower youth to make changes in their community through educational opportunities in the form of site visits, events, volunteering and grantmaking.
Through YiP youth gain skills that will last a lifetime and learn about some amazing people and organizations doing powerful work to make our community better.
The BRCF YiP Fund is used to support the YiP program and fund the projects of their choosing.
2006 Winter Games Legacy Fund
Established by the 2006 Power Smart Manitoba Winter Sports Games Committee in 2010. This Fund supports the charitable purposes and activities of the Foundation by providing funding based on the following criteria and order of priority:
- The application must be from an organization or community group that supports the activities of any sport that participated in the 2006 Winter Games held in Beausejour where possible. The sports are as follows:
- alpine skiing
- badminton
- bowling
- cross country skiing
- curling
- hockey
- volleyball
- figure skating
- artistic gymnastics
- Special Olympics bowling
- If the above sports are not possible, any sport involved in the Manitoba Provincial Games may be supported
- If, in any year, there are no applications for the 2nd consecutive year, the funds can be distributed under the Unrestricted Community Grants Process.
Beausejour Hospital/East Gate Lodge Fund
The Beausejour Hospital and East Gate Lodge Fund was established by the Beausejour Hospital when they joined North Eastern Health Association (NEHA) in 2001. The funds had been gifted to the hospital over a period of time from local residents. The idea was to set up a fund to support health care in our community – forever! Money from this Fund is considered restricted and automatically flows to the IERHA for support.
Best Community Fund
Created by Otto & Lorraine Best in 2024, the Best Community Fund supports charities and non-profits in the areas of: (order of priority)
- Seniors Housing ~ to support seniors housing in the community.
- Music programs
- Sports programs
- If, in any year, there is no qualifying grant application for the above criteria, the funds can be distributed under the Unrestricted Community Grants Process.
Big Beausejour Book Sale Fund
The Big Beausejour Book Sale Board of Directors created this Fund in 2023.
Applications must be for requests that support the community, in the following areas of interest:
- Libraries – all public and school libraries
- Public spaces – playgrounds, swimming pools
- Physical Activity – walking trails, parks
Requests can be made relating to above categories for:
- The purchase of books.
- Fixtures or equipment.
- The funding of infrastructure improvements.
Canadian Power Toboggan Championships (CPTC) Fund
Established in 2021, the CPTC Fund supports charitable and non-profit activities and organizations through unrestricted funds. As per the annual BRCF Spending Policy, a portion is used for administrative purposes of the BRCF, and a portion is disbursed, following the BRCF Granting Policies.
The Cherrey Family Trust Fund was established by the Cherrey Family in 2021 in honour of Jean and Laverne Cherrey.
Applications must be for requests of supporting the Town of Beausejour with projects or programs by non-profit groups in the following areas of interest:
- Sports ~ hockey, curling and figure skating
- Public Spaces ~ playground & swimming pool
- Physical Activity ~ walking trails & parks
Requests can be made relating to above categories for:
- The purchase of equipment
- Sport or player development
- The funding of infrastructure improvements
- Any other opportunity; mutually agreed upon by the BRCF & an acting member of the Cherrey Family
Don Grieg Fund
Don Grieg established this fund in 2024. The purpose of this Fund is to support the charitable purposes and activities of the Foundation by providing a grant based on the following criteria:
- 50% of the annual disbursement will go to the Beausejour Food Bank
- 50% of the annual disbursement will go to the Beausejour Handi-Van
- In the event one of both entities cease to exist in the future, the annual disbursements will go out under the Unrestricted Community Grants Process.
Elizabeth Schreyer Archive Fund
Created by former resident Edward Schreyer in 2006 and named for his wife Elizabeth, this Fund was created to assist in the preservation of the information from his time as Premier of Manitoba and Governor General of Canada. The Fund provides an annual grant to the Broken-Beau Historical Society/Pioneer Village Museum who currently manages the Archive.
Gibson Fund
Formerly known as the “ESS Sport Fund”, this Fund was established in 2007 by Ina Gibson in loving memory of her son, Allan Gibson. The purpose of the Fund is to support the charitable purposes and activities of the Foundation by providing an annual grant as follows:
- To the Sunrise Educational Foundation for their basketball program if they submit a request.
- If, in any year, there is no request for the above, then the funds can be used to support the annual Community Granting Process of the Foundation.
Michael Hamende Memorial Minor Hockey Fund
The Michael Hamende Memorial Minor Hockey Fund was established in 2020 by the Hamende family in loving memory of Michael. This Fund is specific to the Beausejour Brokenhead Minor Hockey Association (BBMHA). The BBMHA must submit an annual request for funding in the following categories:
- The purchase of equipment for early years hockey groups, as part of BBMHA.
- The funding of hockey clinics, run or sponsored by BBMHA, for the younger aged players, for the purpose of getting kids started on the best footing possible.
- Any other BBMHA opportunity; mutually agreed upon by the BRCF and an acting member of the Hamende family.
- If in any year, there is no annual request made by the BBMHA, interest earned in that year will carry forward to the next Community Granting Process intake and remain within the Michael Hamende Memorial Minor Hockey Fund.
Nieckarz Hill Community Fund
In 2024, Joseph Nieckarz and Judie Hill established the Nieckarz Hill Community Fund to support community garden spaces, parks, green spaces and playgrounds. The criteria for funding are as follows:
- Community Garden Spaces including but not limited to Daylily Gardens, shall be given first consideration when possible.
- Community Parks and Green Space including but not limited to Rail Trail and Train Whistle Park
- Community Playgrounds including but not limited to Southend Playground
- No private facilities or ones named after a particular individual shall be awarded assistance from this Fund
- If, in any year, there is no qualifying grant application for the above criteria, the funds can be distributed under the Unrestricted Community Grants Process.
Tarantism Arts, Sports & Recreation Fund
Mikayla Buss, Owner of the Tarantism Dance Company (TDC) established this Fund in 2025 to support community groups in the area of arts, sports and recreation. The criteria for disbursement of this grant are as follows:
- Local non-profit organizations supporting youth through their participation in arts (dance, theatre, music, etc)
- Local non-profit organizations supporting youth through their participation in sports or other recreational activities.
- If, in any year, there is no qualifying grant application for the above criteria, the funds can be distributed under the Unrestricted Community Grants Process.
Thomas Sill Manitoba Fund
This Fund is provided to the BRCF from the Thomas Sill Foundation via Endow Manitoba, a program of The Winnipeg Foundation.
The intention of the Thomas Sill Manitoba Fund is to continue to support community initiatives that are aligned with the generosity of the former Thomas Sill Foundation. This includes responsive granting supporting programming, new initiatives, and operations of charities.
Bursary & Scholarship Funds
The following conditions apply to all bursaries & scholarships within the BRCF.
1. The applicant must be a graduating student who lives in the Brokenhead River Community Foundation (formerly École Edward Schreyer School) catchment area who plans to enroll in post-secondary education at a university, technical school or community college in the same calendar year.
2. Scholarships ~ If, in any year, there are multiple applicants, then the student with the highest academic achievement shall be awarded the scholarship.
3. Bursaries ~ The applicant must show financial need.
4. Bursaries ~ If, in any year, there are multiple applicants, then the student(s) with the greatest financial need shall be awarded the bursary.
5. Other conditions that apply to specific Funds are listed below.
The Brokenhead River Community Foundation Grade 12 Graduating Scholarship
A single scholarship awarded to an individual entering post-secondary education at a university, technical school or community college in the same calendar year.
The applicant must demonstrate active volunteer involvement in École Edward Schreyer School sanctioned activities, the Town of Beausejour/RM of Brokenhead or another community of their choice.
The Brokenhead River Community Foundation Grade 12 Bursaries
Two individual bursaries that are awarded to two individual students entering post-secondary education at a university, technical school or community college in the same calendar year.
The applicant must demonstrate active volunteer involvement in École Edward Schreyer School sanctioned activities, the Town of Beausejour/RM of Brokenhead or another community of their choice.
Beausejour Curling Club Scholarship
A single scholarship awarded to an individual entering post-secondary education at a university, technical school or community college.
The applicant must demonstrate active involvement in the sport of curling and be a member in good standing at the Beausejour Curling Club in their graduating year. This must be attested to by a member of the Executive of The Beausejour Curling Club.
The applicant must be actively involved in curling, exhibiting good sportsmanship, during the final two years of secondary school. This must be attested to by a member of the Executive of the Beausejour Curling Club of which the student is a member.
Brokenhead – Thalberg North – Mars – Brokenhead East Scholarship
A single scholarship awarded to an individual entering post-secondary education at a university, technical school or community college in the same calendar year.
The applicant must be a graduating student who lives in the Brokenhead – Thalberg North – Mars – Brokenhead East catchment area.
The applicant must demonstrate active volunteer involvement in École Edward Schreyer School sanctioned activities, the Town of Beausejour/RM of Brokenhead or another community of their choice.
Clinton Orr & Jody Ruta Community Builder Fund
Two individual scholarships that are awarded to two individual students entering post secondary education at a university, technical school or community college in the same calendar year.
The applicant, firstly must demonstrate active volunteer involvement in École Edward Schreyer School sanctioned activities, the Town of Beausejour/RM of Brokenhead or another community of their choice. This must be attested to by the school counsellor and a member of each community organization respectively, either by providing a reference letter or the specific contact information for follow up.
For clarity, extracurricular sporting activities or leadership in sport do not qualify under volunteer involvement.
A single bursary awarded to an individual entering post-secondary education at a university, technical school or community college in the same calendar year.
The applicant must be entering post secondary education in any agricultural related field.
Ernie Tirschmann Memorial Bursary
A single bursary awarded to an individual entering post-secondary education at a university, technical school or community college in the same calendar year.
The applicant must be a graduating student in their final year of secondary school who lives within the Whitemouth School or the École Edward Schreyer School catchment area.
The applicant must be entering post secondary education in any (sustainable) Natural Resources related field of interest, with an emphasis on, but not limited to-forestry or crown land management, conservation officer, extraction of natural resources, and the conservation and reclamation of crown lands.
Gerald and Dr. Pamela Hawranik Bursary for Nursing Students
A single bursary awarded to an individual entering post-secondary education at a university, technical school or community college in the same calendar year.
The applicant must be entering their first year of post secondary education in a Nursing program (LPN, RN or BN) or the RPN (Registered Psychiatric Nurse) program in Manitoba.
Ken Matchizen Memorial Scholarship
A single scholarship awarded to an individual entering post-secondary education at a university, technical school or community college. Due to trades requiring apprenticeship hours, the scholarship may be held for one year to meet acceptance requirements at the school of choice.
The applicant must be entering post secondary education in any Trade as recognized by the Province of Manitoba https://www.gov.mb.ca/aesi/apprenticeship/discover/mbtrades/index.html
Madden-Bodnarchuk Sports Bursary Fund
A single bursary awarded to an individual entering post-secondary education at a university, technical school or community college.
The applicant must have been involved in amateur sport throughout their high school years.
a. The applicant must have secured a sports related scholarship at any university, technical school or community college specifically in the sports of soccer, volleyball, baseball, track and field or swimming. Their field of study is not restricted to anything specific, OR
b. The applicant must go on to post-secondary education at a university, technical school or community college in a sports related field. (For example: Kinesiology, Physical Education Teacher, Athletic Therapy, Physiotherapy, etc.)
If, in any year, there is more than one applicant, preference will firstly be given to the applicant who has secured a sports related scholarship and secondly to the applicant based on financial need.
Radford Math Scholarship
A scholarship that is awarded to an individual entering post-secondary education at a university, technical school or community college. This scholarship provides four consecutive years of funding to a student pursuing math related post-secondary studies.
The applicant must be going to post-secondary education in a math-related field.
The applicant must continue in a math-related field for four years to be eligible for the entire Scholarship with proof of enrolment submitted each year.
Radford Science Scholarship
A scholarship that is awarded to an individual entering post-secondary education at a university, technical school or community college. This scholarship provides four consecutive years of funding to a student pursuing science related post-secondary studies.
The applicant must be going to post-secondary education in a science-related field.
The applicant must continue in a science-related field for four years to be eligible for the entire Scholarship with proof of enrolment submitted each year.
Robert Rittwage Memorial Scholarship
A scholarship that is awarded to an individual entering post-secondary education at a university, technical school or community college.
The applicant who is a Beausejour Brokenhead Fire Department high school cadet shall be given precedence firstly for the scholarship.
If no cadet applies, then the applicant must be entering post secondary education in any emergency services related field of interest, with order of preference as follows Fire, EMS, Police, Emergency Management, Military, and if none of the above, Healthcare.
Robert Rondeau Memorial Scholarship
A scholarship awarded to an individual entering post-secondary education at a university, technical school or community college.
The applicant must have participated in amateur sport as a member of Curl Manitoba (either through a member curling venue or affiliated program.)
The applicant must be actively involved in curling, exhibiting good sportsmanship, during the final two years of secondary school. This must be attested to by a high school coach or a member of the executive of the curling association of which the student is a member.
