Welcome to the Westshore Community Foundation
Incorporated in 1998, the WESTSHORE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION received its seed monies of $223,000 in May 1999 from the old Johnson Memorial Hospital District when it was replaced by the new Interlake Regional Health Authority. The formation of a community foundation was considered a good vehicle by which these funds could be used to benefit the communities in which these monies had been raised rather than have them absorbed into the new Regional Authority.
Accordingly, the geographical boundaries of the new foundation mirrored those of the old hospital district. These boundaries encompass an area along the west shore of Lake Winnipeg (hence our name “Westshore”) from Dunnottar and Winnipeg Beach in the south, including Gimli in the centre, Riverton in the north and as far west as Fraserwood.
The Westshore Community Foundation Inc. is an enduring charitable organization created to build a permanent capital fund which supports non profit groups and individuals. The Board of volunteers has continued to strive to build permanent endowments and other funds to support community projects. In just eleven years the Foundation has secured approximately $850,000 which in turn has provided sufficient interest to grant back into our communities $357,000 . The most recent initiative to make available funding for scholarships has been very successful with in excess of $12,000 being granted in the past two years. Granting will never stop, but rather, will continue in perpetuity. It is our desire to achieve the goal of acquiring a capital fund of $1,000,000 which in turn will offer even greater support to the ongoing needs of those groups and individuals who are striving to make our communities better. Philanthropy is alive and well in our areas and your contribution to the Westshore Foundation will provide a lasting legacy.
Accordingly, the geographical boundaries of the new foundation mirrored those of the old hospital district. These boundaries encompass an area along the west shore of Lake Winnipeg (hence our name “Westshore”) from Dunnottar and Winnipeg Beach in the south, including Gimli in the centre, Riverton in the north and as far west as Fraserwood.
The Westshore Community Foundation Inc. is an enduring charitable organization created to build a permanent capital fund which supports non profit groups and individuals. The Board of volunteers has continued to strive to build permanent endowments and other funds to support community projects. In just eleven years the Foundation has secured approximately $850,000 which in turn has provided sufficient interest to grant back into our communities $357,000 . The most recent initiative to make available funding for scholarships has been very successful with in excess of $12,000 being granted in the past two years. Granting will never stop, but rather, will continue in perpetuity. It is our desire to achieve the goal of acquiring a capital fund of $1,000,000 which in turn will offer even greater support to the ongoing needs of those groups and individuals who are striving to make our communities better. Philanthropy is alive and well in our areas and your contribution to the Westshore Foundation will provide a lasting legacy.
Presidents Message
The Westshore Community foundation has completed another successful year despite the down turn in the economy. We have managed to reach our goal of over $1,000,000.00 and have distributed back to the community this year over $20,000.00 in grants.
These grants have helped improve recreation facilities for children and families, expand health care facilities, preserve buildings and landmarks, and assist the disabled and ensuring the health of our lake and the environment.
The foundation is bringing people together- raising awareness about issues and engaging people as volunteers and donors. When we show pride in where we live, help our neighbours and envision a brighter future, our communities become stronger.
You can help your community by donating today and you can be assured that your legacy will be prudently invested and well managed. We are well aware of the important balance between grant making and the responsibility to protect capital as a legacy for the future.
Please visit our web site for further information and how you can become involved financially or as a volunteer. We hope that this web site makes our operations fully transparent and we invite any comments, questions or suggestions for improvement. Also please feel free to call our office at 642-9796 or visit our office at 206 Beachview Professional building at 66 First Avenue Gimli, Man.
Gerald Knutson
Gerry Knutson is the new incoming President of the Westshore Community Foundation. Gerry has been a member of the board for the past two years, has served on the finance committee and is responsible for strategic planning of the organization.
Gerry's forty-year career focus has been in the fields of finance and institutional development having worked for the federal government in Manitoba and the Canadian Arctic, former manager of the Gimli Credit Union, project manager for World Council of Credit Unions in Kenya and Malawi and in Eastern Europe on an agricultural finance project in Moldova.
Gerry returned to Gimli in 2005 and resides in Siglavik. He and his wife Janice have three children and seven grandchildren. They both enjoy golf, boating, curling and the warm state of Arizona.
These grants have helped improve recreation facilities for children and families, expand health care facilities, preserve buildings and landmarks, and assist the disabled and ensuring the health of our lake and the environment.
The foundation is bringing people together- raising awareness about issues and engaging people as volunteers and donors. When we show pride in where we live, help our neighbours and envision a brighter future, our communities become stronger.
You can help your community by donating today and you can be assured that your legacy will be prudently invested and well managed. We are well aware of the important balance between grant making and the responsibility to protect capital as a legacy for the future.
Please visit our web site for further information and how you can become involved financially or as a volunteer. We hope that this web site makes our operations fully transparent and we invite any comments, questions or suggestions for improvement. Also please feel free to call our office at 642-9796 or visit our office at 206 Beachview Professional building at 66 First Avenue Gimli, Man.
Gerald Knutson
Gerry Knutson is the new incoming President of the Westshore Community Foundation. Gerry has been a member of the board for the past two years, has served on the finance committee and is responsible for strategic planning of the organization.
Gerry's forty-year career focus has been in the fields of finance and institutional development having worked for the federal government in Manitoba and the Canadian Arctic, former manager of the Gimli Credit Union, project manager for World Council of Credit Unions in Kenya and Malawi and in Eastern Europe on an agricultural finance project in Moldova.
Gerry returned to Gimli in 2005 and resides in Siglavik. He and his wife Janice have three children and seven grandchildren. They both enjoy golf, boating, curling and the warm state of Arizona.
Safe online way to make a donation to The Westshore Foundation
Eventually we all pass on and leave a void for those remaining. That void could be filled in part with a lasting memory of us by a contribution to the Foundation. Gifts can be made without restrictions to allow the income to be disbursed by the board to a wide variety of organizations or gifts can also be made for specific purpose. The donor controls some named funds. Tax Saving Example
