The Community Foundation of Portage and District (CFPD) is a non-profit registered charity, formed in 1994 by a group of community minded citizens who saw the benefits of building a "community fund."
Our geographical area is primarily, but not exclusively, the Rural Municipality of Portage la Prairie which includes the following: City of Portage la Prairie, Southport, Newton, Oakville, Poplar Point, St. Ambroise, High Bluff, Delta, MacDonald, and First Nations – Long Plain, Dakota Plains and Dakota Tipi.
Bursary for Commercial Pilot Training created in memory of Jody Lee Fulton
CFPD President Dale Lyle and Doug and Marion Fulton announce the creation of the Jody Lee Fulton Memorial Bursary Fund with the Community Foundation of Portage and District Inc. In October 2009, the Fulton’s established the fund in memory of their beloved daughter Jody Lee Fulton who passed away on July 16, 2009 after a long battle with cancer. “Jody dedicated over 30 professional years to the aviation industry, said Doug, “she would be very pleased to help other in the field achieve their goals.”
Jody was born in Portage in 1956, grew up in various communities throughout Northern Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec. She graduated from Lachine High School in 1973 and from the Institute Videmanette, Rougemont, Switzerland in 1974 with honours in French and German.
Discovered at Expo'67 she made her TV debut as co-host with her brother Kerry for several weeks on Tween Set a popular CBC teen program. She was drawn to modeling but her real love was aviation. She joined Execaire reservations in 1977 then in 1983 her adventuresome spirit took her to Goroka, EHP, Papua New Guinea where she worked with Talair, a regional airline serving outposts throughout this fascinating country. After 13 exciting years she rejoined Execaire at Montreal from 1996 until her passing.
The first bursary to be awarded in June will have a value of $500. Each year after, the $28 thousand fund will support a $1000 bursary. The objective of the fund is to assist one student each year in pursuing a commercial pilot license.
The student must be currently registered or accepted in a recognized university or college in any year of studies in a program providing training that will result in a commercial pilot license. Recipient may be but not limited to high school graduates in Central Manitoba. This includes municipalities of Dufferin, Grey, Lakeview, Lorne, Louise, Macdonald, Montcalm, Morris, North Norfolk, Pembina, Portage la Prairie, Rhineland, Roland, South Norfolk, Stanley, St. Frances Xavier, Thompson and Westbourne including all incorporated urban municipalities within this geographic area.
Application deadline is May 15, 2010. The application can be downloaded (pdf | doc) or to receive a copy phone (204) 274-2442 or e-mail cfpd@mts.net.
The Gilberts Give a Gift of Shares
On Monday, November 23, 2009 , CFPD President Dale Lyle thanked Brent and Debbie Gilbert for their generous gift of shares to the Communty Foundation. “Putting stock in charity is a good thing for everybody,” said Dale Lyle. The $5,000 plus donation will be added to the Brent and Debbie Gilbert Family Fund. Their fund is undesignated which does not place any restrictions on the use of the earnings, thus allowing the Board of Directors to make grantmaking decisions that meet the current priorities and needs of the community.
Brent and Debbie, along with their daughters Kate, Meaghan and Rachel, established their family fund in 2008. Philanthropy has always been a part of the Gilbert family, whether it be serving on a board, a committee, or supporting charities with monetary gifts. Brent was the fourth president of the Community Foundation, serving on the Board from 1999 to 2005. He and his family continue to support the Foundation by helping build the permanent endowment fund for Portage and District.
“When we established our family fund in 2008, we were committed to adding to it on an annual basis,” said Brent. “We are delighted to be able to do so this year with a gift of shares. We would urge other potential donors to consider the benefits of gifting shares to the Community Foundation.”
Everybody wins when you make a gift of appreciated stock to your community foundation. Your gains are put to good use. Your gift of stock is reinvested in your community, and it qualifies for an immediate tax credit equal to the full fair market value.
Giving appreciated stock through a community foundation is a simple, smart, highly rewarding approach to giving. Your Community Foundation can help you fulfill your personal charitable goals. This can include establishing a fund in your name, as the Gilberts have done.
Gifting appreciated corporate shares provides you with special tax advantages. You receive a tax deduction on the full market value of your gift as well as the ability to eliminate the capital gains tax you’d normally pay when selling appreciated stock.

