Pinawa Foundation

Pinawa Foundation Fall Granting Cycle

The Pinawa Foundation is pleased to announce the implementation of a 2026 Fall Granting Cycle to support community group projects in Pinawa.

If you can answer yes to the following questions, then your project may be eligible for Pinawa Foundation funding.

Do you have a new or an existing project that benefits the community and requires funding?

Does your new or existing project require $5000 or less to bring to completion?

Can you complete your project by the end of 2026?

Please note: Projects expenses must not have been incurred prior to September 30th 2026.

If your project meets the criteria or you have questions, please send an email to:

[email protected].

An application form will be provided.

The Pinawa Foundation, in collaboration with the Winnipeg Foundation, has just awarded a 2026 Literacy for Life Grant to the Pinawa Public Library. This grant, valued at $3,420, is provided by an endowment fund that supports family literacy programs across Manitoba. The fund was created in 2003 by the Winnipeg Foundation, Literacy Partners of Manitoba, and the Winnipeg Public Library. The grant funds grassroots family literacy projects, books, storytelling, and healthy play. The goal of the fund is to help parents and children learn, read, and grow together through intergenerational programs.

Librarian Jennie Miller accepted the 2026 Literacy for Life Grant from Chris Saunders, Chairperson of the Pinawa Foundation.

The Pinawa Foundation, in partnership with the Pinawa Public Library, is very proud to be a recipient of a 2026 Canada Post Community Foundation grant for $5,000. The funds will be used for a project to expand youth access to digital library resources by purchasing ebooks and audiobooks selected to support learning and engagement.

Each year, the Canada Post Community Foundation awards over $1 Million to Canadian charities and organizations that support children and youth across the country. This year, 113 Canadian schools, charities and community organizations received grants for a wide range of initiatives. The Foundation raises money through customer donations in post offices, employee contributions and a portion of the proceeds from the sale of a special stamp issue.

Yesterday, Pinawa Foundation Chairperson Chris Saunders presented the Canada Post Foundation Grant to Head Librarian Lois Bernardin.

Community Project Month Update

Children's Place Co-op Daycare - New Dishwasher and Flooring Project

The Pinawa Foundation awarded a grant to Children's Place Co-op Daycare at our recent Granting Ceremony Community for $9,950 to purchase a new commercial dishwasher and replace the kitchen flooring that has been damaged due to the malfunctioning dishwasher. The new flooring and dishwasher will help support licensing standards and regulations. The new flooring will also reduce the risk of injury to children, staff and visitors.

Community Project Month Update

Survivor’s Hope Crisis Centre - Prevention Education Workshops

The Pinawa Foundation awarded a grant to the Survivor’s Hope Crisis Centre at our recent Granting Ceremony Community for $14,358 to provide prevention education workshops. The centre will deliver educational workshops in schools for students in Grades 6, 8, 10, and 12, as well as in community settings for parents and caregivers, service providers, and community members. Prevention education plays an important role in creating safer communities. By providing youth and adults with accurate information, practical tools, and opportunities for open dialogue, the centre helps build understanding around topics that are often difficult to discuss.

Below: Board member Rob Murray presents a grant to Julie Remillard, Survivor’s Hope Crisis Centre

Community Project Month Update

Pinawa Cancer Care - New Stretcher Project

The Pinawa Foundation awarded a grant to Pinawa Cancer Care at our recent Granting Ceremony Community for $13,025 to purchase a new stretcher. Some of the features of this stretcher include 5th wheel steering, power washable, 320 kg weight capacity, dual side-mounted foot control hydraulics, and a 76-cm width. The stretcher will be used in Cancer Care for procedures and treatments.

Below: Board Member Connie Hamon presents the Cancer Care Grant to Averill Stephenson from the Interlake Eastman Health Foundation (left) and Janine Harcus, Manager of Health Services at Pinawa Hospital (centre).

Community Project Month Update

F.W. Gilbert Parent Advisory Council - New Gym Mats

The Pinawa Foundation awarded a grant to the F.W. Gilbert Parent Advisory Council at our recent Granting Ceremony for $4,338 to purchase a high-quality set of gym floor mats to support both school programming and community activities at F.W. Gilbert School. These mats are used frequently for school events, physical education activities, family movie nights, and by various community groups that use the school gymnasium.

Below: PF Board Member Liane Weigelt-Tirschman presents grant to Kaci Kroker, F.W. Gilbert Parent Advisory Council

PInawa Foundation Awards 2026 Thomas Sill Grants

The Thomas Sill Foundation was founded in 1987 through the last will of Thomas Sill, a chartered accountant from Manitoba. The Thomas Sill Foundation provided support for charitable initiatives throughout Manitoba for over 35 years. At the end of 2023, the Foundation ceased operations, but the board of directors wanted to continue supporting Manitoba. The assets of the foundation were transferred to the Winnipeg Foundation to create funds that would carry on Thomas Sill’s legacy of giving. The Thomas Sill Manitoba Fund at The Winnipeg Foundation was established to benefit communities within Endow Manitoba. The Pinawa Foundation receives a grant every year to carry on Thomas Sill’s good work.

The Pinawa Foundation awarded our 2026 Thomas Sill Grants at our Annual Public Meeting on June 8th. We were very pleased to award these grants to the Pinawa Arena Board for repairs to the Orville Acres Arena ($15,000) and to the Eastern Manitoba Concert Association for upgrades to the lighting system at the Pinawa Community Centre ($10,000).

Chris Saunders of the Pinawa Foundation awarding Thomas Sill Grant to Rhonda Henschell from the Pinawa Arena Board

Cindy Litke, Grants Committee Chair at the Pinawa Foundation presents the Thomas Sill Grant to John Tait from the Eastern Manitoba Concert Association

PInawa Foundation Awards 2026 Thomas Sill Grants

The Thomas Sill Foundation was founded in 1987 through the last will of Thomas Sill, a chartered accountant from Manitoba. The Thomas Sill Foundation provided support for charitable initiatives throughout Manitoba for over 35 years. At the end of 2023, the Foundation ceased operations, but the board of directors wanted to continue supporting Manitoba. The assets of the foundation were transferred to the Winnipeg Foundation to create funds that would carry on Thomas Sill’s legacy of giving. The Thomas Sill Manitoba Fund at The Winnipeg Foundation was established to benefit communities within Endow Manitoba. The Pinawa Foundation receives a grant every year to carry on Thomas Sill’s good work.

The Pinawa Foundation awarded our 2026 Thomas Sill Grants at our Annual Public Meeting on June 8th. We were very pleased to award grants to the Pinawa Arena Board for repairs to the Orville Acres Arena ($15,000) and to the Eastern Manitoba Concert Association for upgrades to the lighting system at the Pinawa Community Centre ($10,000).

Below:

Chris Saunders of the Pinawa Foundation awarding Thomas Sill Grant to Rhonda Henschell from the Pinawa Arena Board

Cindy Litke, Grants Committee Chair at the Pinawa Foundation presents the Thomas Sill Grant to John Tait from the Eastern Manitoba Concert Association

Community Project Month Update

Pinawa Lions Club – Birthday Weekend Expenses

The Pinawa Foundation awarded a grant to the Pinawa Lions Club at our recent Granting Ceremony for $8,277 to support several of the exciting activities that happen over the Pinawa Birthday Weekend celebrations in July. This grant is to offset some of the larger expenses for the weekend: tent at the sundial, fireworks display and stage rental.

Pinawa Lions Club member Dorothy Wilkin accepts grant from PF Board Member Connie Hamon