The CFPD Newsletter provides information on what's happening at the Foundation, recent grants and impact stories made possible by our generous donors, and ways you can get involved.

Funding projects that improve life in our community is what we do here at CFPD, and the Rotary Duck Pond rejuvenation project is a great example. By beautifying public spaces, crime rates are reduced, tourism increases, and greater opportunities exist for people to reap the rewards of increased recreation, resulting in physical, mental, and social benefits.

If you are you skilled in accounting and financial practices (particularly with QuickBooks) and looking for a part-time job (1 day/week), this may be the opportunity for you! The Community Foundation of Portage & District is hiring a Finance Assistant to join our fabulous team, and want to hear from you! Please send your CV & Cover Letter to info@cfpdi.ca to apply today! The deadline to apply is Oct. 6, 2025.

CFPD Wishes all a Happy Thanksgiving

CFPD will be closed for Thanksgiving on Monday, October 13. We are extremely grateful to all who have donated or established funds with CFPD over the years—it is with your generosity that we are able to continue to make a positive difference in the lives of so many citizens in our community. Thank you!

CFPD will once again be awarding numerous grants to local community groups this fall, so be sure to get your applications in before the October 15th deadline. Applications can be found on the Grants page of our website, or by clicking here.

CFPD awarded the Peony Farm Community Club a $50,000 grant to install a new playground at their newly upgraded community park. Our Executive Director Lorna Knight, Board Chair Cathie McFarlane, and Vice Chair Stephanie Verhoeven attended the Grand Opening event on Sunday, Sept. 7 to see the results, which are amazing! Peony Farm community members now have a beautiful new space to gather and play, and CFPD is very pleased to have been able to contribute to making it happen. If you would like to support projects like this, visit www.cfpdi.ca/makeadonation.

Southport Aerospace held a charity fundraiser event (aptly named the Southport RUNway) on Sept. 13, to raise money for the Southport Fund held with CFPD, which directs its annual investment earnings into our bi-annual Community Grants Program. CFPD's Executive Director Lorna Knight, Board Chair Cathie McFarlane, Vice Chair Stephanie Verhoeven, and Board Members Sherrie Palmer and Ken Brennan (along with wife Audrey) volunteered at this very successful event, which saw over 100 participants take part. Through the RUNway, Southport was able to contribute $7000 into their Fund—thank you Southport for your continued support of our community!

CFPD Shares Impact Stories

This month's Impact Story highlights a grant awarded to the National Indigenous Residential Museum of Canada for a stairway upgrade project—one with very special meaning that goes far deeper than just improving accessibility of their facility. What was once an entrance off-limits to residential school survivors, is now a welcoming entrance to all, and a small step forward in healing from the harms of the residential school system and colonialism.

Valued Donors Featured by CFPD

This month, we recognize Simplot for their generosity in supporting our local community. Simplot has been a strong supporter of CFPD over the years, and recently they made a $5000 donation to the Portage Literacy & Learning Centre Fund, which provides annual bursaries to students and clients of PLLC. If you would also like to donate to this Fund, select it from the drop-down of our Make a Donation page by selecting the "Donate Online" button.

CFPD Presented a Cheque to the Portage Terriers From the Annual Pay-out of the Geno Romanow Legacy Fund

CFPD Board member Warren Neufeld attended the 6th Annual Geno Romanow Par 3 Challenge, held on Friday September 12th at the Portage Golf Club, to present the Portage Terriers with a cheque representing the annual investment earnings from the Geno Romanow Legacy Fund held with CFPD. "Grandpa" Geno always wanted to make sure "his boys" had safe equipment and that the dressing room was user friendly, and this Fund ensures his legacy of doing so lives on. To donate to this Fund, select it from the drop-down of our Make a Donation page by selecting the "Donate Online" button.

Consider Donating to CFPD, and Make a Difference in YOUR Community

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 eligible charities 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