The CFPD Newsletter provides information on what's happening at the Foundation, such as community grants, special events, featured donations, new funds, ways you can get involved, and more.

The Women of Mother Earth Network is an Indigenous-led, peer support group that meets bi-weekly for ceremony, friendship, education, and activity. A 2025 'Women Who Care' Fund Grant allowed the Women of Mother Earth Network to expand their activities and how they serve the community. For example, sewing machines, fabric, and supplies were purchased so that members could learn the tradition and teachings of making items from other women—allowing them to have their own ceremonial dress, but also to be able to provide them to others in the community. The grant also made four traditional feasts possible, as well as an art class full of laughter, socializing, and connection.

CFPD will be holding the Annual General Meeting and Celebration on June 18 at the Peggy May Legacy Centre in Southport, MB. At this event, we will be honouring fundholders celebrating fund anniversaries, celebrating student bursary winners, and sharing highlights from 2025. We hope to see many join us for this special evening—please follow our social media and watch for June's newsletter for additional information.

CFPD is very pleased to be able to support our students, year after year, through our Bursaries & Awards Program. We have 14 bursaries available this year, including the new MacVicar Family Bursary established on the wishes of the late Anne MacVicar, who passed away in 2024 and directed her Estate to go to CFPD. Also new this year, is a unique award with a separate application process—the Geisel-Finney Future Fund Award. This award is limited to students exhibiting great financial need, and attending post-secondary school within Portage la Prairie.

CFPD is accepting applications for a music grant in the amount of $1212, called the Kathleen Bjarnason Fund for Music Grant. This fund was established by Lorraine Rae and Kenn Bjarnason in memory of their mother, who lived for music. It is their hope that this grant helps young people develop their own love for music. Local schools and music groups can apply for the funds to purchase instruments, music, or something unique that adds to their program. Contact us at 204-856-1971 or info@cfpdi.ca for more information.

Office Closure: Victoria Day, May 18

CFPD 1st Annual 'Pay-it-Forward Days A Success

The Community Foundation of Portage & District rolled out the very first annual "CFPD Pay-it-Forward Days" on April 26-28, to coincide with Manitoba's Community Foundation Day on April 26 and Global Pay it Forward Day on April 28. During this 3-day period, CFPD not only celebrated the vital impact of community foundations and the generosity of Manitobans who support them, but was also out in the community 'paying it forward' ourselves by surprising people with random acts of kindness. In the end, over 250 people were surprised, with over $1500 in surprises. We hope that this event encourages others to also pay it forward, not just during Pay-it-Forward Days, but all year long. No act of kindness is too small, and can range from simply making someone smile, to volunteering your time and skills, or supporting an individual or organization in any way that you can. Kindness feels good!

Thank you to our Sponsors and Partners of 
CFPD Pay-it-Forward Days

The sponsors and partners of our 1st annual CFPD Pay-it-Forward Days made putting on this event possible, with partners allowing us to host the event activities at their business locations (some partners also provided funds for the pay-it-forward gestures and/or marketing material). For example, Southport sponsored postcards given out, as well as funds to pay for free food and coffee for recipients at Southport Golf Club and Tim Hortons; PRRA sponsored free activity passes for their patrons; and Chicken Chef offered multiple free meals and coffee for their patrons during these days. Tim Hortons was an event location partner, allowing us to pay-it-forward to their customers with free food and coffee; and Herman Prior Activity Centre also accommodated us as we paid it forward to their members by providing free food and activities!

2026 Spring Community Grant Recipients

The 2026 Spring Community Grants Program saw 27 applications come in from local community organizations, requesting funding. In the end, the Grants Committee approved funding in the amount of almost $180,000, for 20 different groups to put toward a wide variety of projects and initiatives. To support projects like this, that help improve life in our community, visit our website to donate.

CFPD Impact Stories

This month we'd like to highlight the impact our Bursaries & Awards Program can have on individual students who receive the awards. This month we share a few words from Cassandra Garnham, who received the Dr. Harvey Hassard Memorial Bursary in 2020 and 2025 to put toward her Undergraduate and Master of Nursing degrees, respectively. Cassandra plans to return to Portage to work in the healthcare field after graduating. To contribute to the Dr. Harvey Hassard Memorial Bursary, select it from the drop-down after hitting the "Donate Now" button of our Make a Donation page.

CFPD Featured Donors

This month we would like to highlight a donor who established a bursary fund with CFPD in memory of her friends Don & Lois Booth, who lived their lives very actively engaged in peace and social justice. The donor hopes that the bursary will encourage and support young people who are searching for new pathways to social justice and lasting peace, as she believes the younger generation is humanity's best hope in achieving that end. If you would like to support students engaged in social justice causes, select the "Don & Lois Booth Memorial Bursary" in the drop-down after hitting the "Donate Now" button of our Make a Donation page.

There are Many Ways to Contribute to CFPD

You can donate to a specific fund (there are many to choose from!), or to our Smart & Caring Community Fund, whereby the funds get distributed to various local community groups who apply for our bi-annual grants.


Click here to donate now!

Interested in Starting Your own Fund?

Depending on whether you'd like the earnings from your Fund to go toward a specific organization, or to a more general cause, there are many options to choose from. Call or stop by our office any time to discuss.

Field of Interest Fund: $5,000 Minimum

Designated Fund: $5,000 Minimum

Donor-Advised Fund: $25,000 Minimum