Building a community of philanthropists and creating a legacy to promote growth and positive change in children, youth and families.
Support The Chrysalis Fund
Your donation directly supports the community and area. We value your partnership with us to ensure that children and youth are empowered to achieve success in life and, in turn, are enabled to contribute back to their own community.
All donations over $15 will be issued a tax receipt.
FOR ONLINE DONATIONS:
Click ‘DONATE TODAY‘ and you will be redirected to The Steinbach Community Foundation Inc. page.
Click ‘Make a gift’ or a repeating gift.
Choose ‘Make this donation in celebration, honour or memory of someone’.
Important to write: “In honour of The Chrysalis Fund”, so that the funds are allocated to the Chrysalis Fund.
DONATIONS BY CHEQUE:
Please make cheques out to The Steinbach Community Foundation” and in the memo line include “The Chrysalis Fund”.
GIVING TOGETHER IMPACTS CHANGE
The Chrysalis Fund is a new trend in philanthropy in which a community of women philanthropists are strategically pooling their resources and leveraging them to impact specific causes and interest areas in the community.
The Chrysalis Fund was started by a group of 11 women and is governed by an Advisory Board selected from its donors. The Advisory Board is responsible for The Chrysalis Fund’s management and operations. The officers and committee chairpersons are selected from within the board.
Strategies
The Chrysalis Fund is strategic in its grant making and program support. It identifies issues to address and invests grant dollars in projects and programs for maximum impact.
Decisions regarding grants are made by all members of the fund. Each member is entitled to one vote on all matters concerning the governance, funding guidelines and grant-making decisions.
Grant QualificationsGoals
The goals of The Chrysalis Fund are to encourage healthy development of children and youth, to increase the life skills of children and youth and to provide opportunities for children and youth to learn, grow and to give back to society.
Additional goals include creating a legacy in the form of an endowment fund and expanding philanthropy and giving by women in our community and surrounding area.
Management
The Chrysalis Fund is an endowment fund that supports charitable programs benefiting children, youth and families in Steinbach and surrounding areas. The Chrysalis Fund’s investments are managed by the Winnipeg Foundation through a partnership with the Steinbach Community Foundation, and as such operates according to the Winnipeg Foundation’s policies and procedures. Donations and endowments to the Chrysalis Fund are invested and held in perpetuity. Only the interest is granting to community organizations. This way, the fund is able to support the community forever.
FUNDED PROJECTS
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2024 Grant Application Deadline – May 31!
Grant available to registered charitable organizations that promote growth and positive change in children, youth and families.
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2023 Grant Award Recipient – Steinbach Community Outreach (The Bridge)
The Chrysalis Fund was honoured to be able to support Steinbach Community Outreach with an element of a housing project called The Bridge. The 24 unit building houses individuals seeking affordable living accommodations in Steinbach, and funds from the Chrysalis Fund were used to purchase microwaves for each of the units.
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2019 Grant Award Recipient – Blumenort Christian Preschool
Blumenort Christian Preschool is a Christian Preschool Program committed to providing an atmosphere allowing children to grow and develop at their own rate as they learn through play. The Chrysalis Fund was so excited to help contribute funds for furniture that will go into BCP's new classroom. The classroom is needed to meet the demand for space as they continue to grow rapidly in number of participants.
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2019 Grant Award Recipient – Steinbach Family Resource Centre
Steinbach Family Resource Centre is dedicated to serving expectant parents and families with children in the community and surrounding areas of South Eastern Manitoba. To assist in the cost of supplies, the Chrysalis Fund awarded Steinbach Family Resource Centre with $4000 towards their pre-natal freezer meal workshop. This program will help expectant families prepare freezers meals that will be ready for when their baby comes, making the adjustment to a new baby a little bit easier.
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2018 Grant Award Recipient – Agape House
Agape House is a women's shelter providing a safe environment for women and children in times of crisis and domestic violence. They offer shelter, counselling and ongoing support to individuals and families going through these traumatic situations. To build on their pillar of ongoing support for women in their program, the $2330 received from this year's grant will go towards establishing the 'Phoenix Project'. The funds will be used to create a collection of resources and self-lead support groups for women who have experienced domestic violence and continue to work towards healing.
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2018 Grant Award Recipient – Steinbach Community Outreach
Steinbach Community Outreach is a local organization working to meet essential needs of community members in Southeast Manitoba. This year the Chrysalis Fund was able to grant the organization $4670 to support the creation of self-care product kits for local families in need. As long as there is a need for these self-care products, Steinbach Community Outreach will be there to maintain the dignity of the clients it serves and encouragement for a bright future.
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Stories from the field
Moni Loewen and Irene Kroeker share stories with members of The Chrysalis Fund of the joys and challenges in working with families in this community. The collaborative nature of the non-profit organizations that work in Steinbach and area makes each of them stronger and more effective in addressing the gaps they identify.
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ROC Eastman Receives 2017 Grant
Moni Loewen from ROC Eastman received a $3400 grant from The Chrysalis Fund in October 2017. This grant goes towards supporting children who would like to participate in creative arts such as theatre, art classes, music, etc. The cheque was presented by The Chrysalis Fund member, Sheila Krahn.
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Steinbach Community Outreach receives 2017 Grant
Members of The Chrysalis Fund enjoyed a tour on October 10, 2017 of Steinbach Community Outreach's new facility. Irene Kroeker from SCO shared many stories of how they are able to engage with a variety of individuals and families in this community. This new facility will allow them to deliver more programming throughout the week. The Chrysalis Fund provided SCO with a grant of $3400 for a project that provides healthy snacks to preschoolers between the ages of 1-6. Snacks are delivered to the homes by volunteers who are able to build a trusting relationship with these families.
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Over $81, 865 in Grants Awarded
Since inception in 2009, The Chrysalis Fund has granted annually to local not for profit community agencies that promote growth and positive change in children and youth, a collective total of $81,865.00. As The Chrysalis Fund continues to offer women the opportunity to team together to create a powerful legacy in the Steinbach community and area, we look forward to being able to continuously give back and expanding philanthropy.
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2016 Grant Award – Steinbach Family Resource Centre
The Steinbach Family Resource Centre received a $4,728 grant in 2016 for their parenting course "Nobody's Perfect Parenting Program". "We knew there was a need in our community for a program but we didn't realize how deep the need was until we began advertising. Our first class has 6 parents. The most shocking statistic was that between these 6 people, 14 children had been apprehended by Child and Family services and they were desperately looking for how they could improve their parenting skills and get the children back".
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2015 Grant Award – Soup’s On
Joy Neufeld from Soup's On receives a $2,478 grant from The Chrysalis Fund for their school lunch program to provide 250 lunches weekly for 10 weeks. Cheque presentation by Andrea Reimer and Bev Dueck. "The support of a lunch program is an important part of being able to meet the needs of our students in a holistic, balanced and supportive environment...and then they can learn!" Elementary School Principal
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2015 Grant Award – Steinbach Family Resource Centre
Vicki Olatundun from the Steinbach Family Resource Centre receives a $2478 grant from The Chrysalis Fund for a playground to educate young children on road safety. Presented by Marlene Klassen and Karen Loewen.
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2014 Grant Award – ROC Eastman
Moni Loewen from ROC Eastman receives a $2,000 grant from The Chrysalis Fund presented by Sherril Reimer. The grant supported ROC to expand its services to include a leisure education program for each family. "Research has also demonstrated that by engaging children and youth in positive recreational endeavours, you decrease their risk of being criminally involved. ROC strives to provide each child with an experience that will increase their feelings of self-worth and self-efficacy, and to give the family the necessary tools to sustain the child's recreation pursuits beyond ROC" (ROC grant application).
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2014 Grant Award – Steinbach Family Resource Centre
Vicki Olatundun from Steinbach Family Resource Centre receives a $2,000 grant from The Chrysalis Fund presented by Marcelle Fournier. The grant provided funds required for new flooring in the kitchen and play area as well as a few soft furnishings in the play area of the centre's new location.
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2014 Grant Award – Steinbach Community Outreach
Irene Kroeker from Steinbach Community Outreach receives a $2,000 grant from The Chrysalis Fund presented by Shannon Kehler. Steinbach Community Outreach (SCO) works to assist people in Steinbach that are struggling to meet basic needs, focusing their energy on those that are homeless or at risk of being homeless. In their grant application SCO stated that they "assist approximately 200 people per year that are homeless, and approximately 75 people per month that reach out to us by connecting with our volunteers in our Outreach room". The grant funding assisted SCO to provide a nutritious snack for pre-school children ages 2-4.
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2012 Grant Award – Recreation Opportunities for Children
Moni Loewen from Recreation Opportunities for Children Inc. receives a cheque from The Chrysalis Fund Members Pat Warkentin and Carmel Wiebe. This grant decision resulted in $6,600 being awarded to ROC Eastman. ROC Eastman is a not-for-profit organization working to support children and youth living in the Eastman Region of Manitoba, to connect to recreation and leisure opportunities. ROC Eastman began in 2009 as one of three pilot projects of Manitoba Family Services and Housing’s Job Connections Program, and has since been serving the needs of children and youth living in the Eastman Region, who experience barriers to participation in recreation.
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2011 Grant Award – Anna’s House
In 2011, The Chrysalis Fund was able to support Anna's House by providing funds to run their Teen Special Delivery Group. A $5,250 donation from the fund helped facilitate the Teen Group which covers all aspects of care for young moms-to-be and baby in a relevant, peer based group. The bi-weekly sessions give support throughout the pregnancy, thus fulfilling the mandate of the Chrysalis Fund. Anna's House is a family resource centre dedicated to helping families find support within and connection to the community. Each month over 300 families are served from a large range of socioeconomic and cultural communities.
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2010 Grant Award – Youth for Christ
Youth for Christ was the recipient in 2010 of the grant monies distributed by The Chrysalis Fund. A $5,594 contribution was made to YFC with one half of this grant going towards the replacement of flooring in the basement of the U-Turn home on Fernwood Bay. The other half of the grant money went to help facilitate the YFC supper club program. The U-Turn home was created to provide a program in which youth are mentored. There is space for up to four boarders, with house parents living on the main floor of the home and helping with day to day needs while YFC U-Turn coordinator Reuben Singh works with teens to achieve the goals of the program, namely to make positive changes in their lives. The YFC supper club program runs regularly on Wednesday night at the local drop-in centre. YFC is a worldwide Christian movement working with young people around the globe. Motivated by faith in Jesus Christ, the organization reaches young people in ways that are relevant to them in the context of their culture and life circumstances.
ABOUT
Become a Member
Membership consists of a tax-deductible donation of $1000. This donation can be done in a manner that best suits the individual: as a one time gift of $1000, a pledge of $500 over two years, or 24 monthly donations of $41.67.
Cheques are made payable to:
The Steinbach Community Foundation and on the memo line please indicate: The Chrysalis Fund.
Cheques can be mailed to:
The Chrysalis Fund
498 Evergreen Ave. Steinbach, MB. R5G 0J1
Individuals and/or corporations may donate to The Chrysalis Fund without a membership. In the past, some members have donated to the fund as a Christmas, birthday or graduation gift to others. A donation to The Chrysalis Fund can be a unique yet personalized gift for an individual that also positively impacts their community.
Financial Reports
Click on the VIEW link below to download a PDF of our Annual Financial Statements.
2010 Financial StatementVIEW
2011 Financial StatementVIEW
2012 Financial StatementVIEW
2013 Financial StatementVIEW
2014 Financial StatementVIEW
2015 Financial StatementVIEW
2016 Financial StatementVIEW
2017 Financial StatementVIEW
2018 Financial StatementVIEW
2019 Financial StatementVIEW
2020 Financial StatementVIEW
2021 Financial StatementVIEW
2022 Financial StatementVIEW
2023 Financial StatementVIEW
Our Board
Debbie Krahn
Chair
Debbie has strong rural roots and together with her family has enjoyed community life in Steinbach for many years. Her commitment to this community motivated her to becoming involved in several local initiatives such as supporting the founding of a preschool, working on a steering committee for a homeless shelter and in 2009, co-founding The Chrysalis Fund. Debbie’s career as a Palliative Care Nurse in Steinbach helped her to gain insight to the unique challenges encountered by many families. Debbie currently co-leads the Comfort Basket Project through The Bethesda Foundation that provides self care items to those sitting vigil at the bedside of a loved one. An awareness of how local non-profits can be a valuable resource to children, youth and families is foundational to her work with The Chrysalis Fund.
Debbie recharges her “battery” through exploring nature, reading great books, and enjoying a good meal with family or friends.
Dr. Karen Toews
Vice Chair
Karen was born and raised in Steinbach. She attended the University of Manitoba and received her MD degree in 1994 and her certificate from the College of Family Physicians in 1996. Karen has been practicing family medicine in Steinbach since September of 1996. Karen’s work interests include cancer care, palliative care, obstetrics and teaching medical students. Outside of medicine, Karen enjoys spending time with her family, swimming, biking, running, reading and travelling. Karen is married to Rod and mom to children Siobhan and Liam. She is committed to the community and is thrilled to be a part of The Chrysalis Fund since its inception.
Simone Penner
Treasurer
Simone has had a passion for not-for-profit organizations for many years. She is immensely thankful that her passion has been fueled by the encouragement of her family. Although she presently does not serve any organizations, her volunteering over the years has seen her involved with the local homeless shelter in Steinbach, Today House, the Refugee Committee at Grace Mennonite Church, the local soup kitchen, Soup’s On, the CancerCare volunteer program and the Palliative Care Program in Steinbach.
Steinbach was home to Simone for over 40 years. She has 5 grandchildren and if you ask her she will tell you, “Those are the best “volunteer days” when I have them all to myself, no parents around!” The biggest loves of her life are her husband, 3 sons, 3 daughters-in-law, 2 African daughters, and 5 grandchildren. Some other loves in her life are the friendships that have synergized over the years of volunteering in the not for profit world, reading, music.
“Life is a gift, and it offers us the privilege, opportunity, and responsibility to give something back by becoming more.” ~ Anthony Robbins
Brenda Penner
Secretary
Brenda Penner was born, grew up in and raised her own family in the Steinbach area. Despite these deep roots in the community, her own family, travel opportunities and service on a variety of boards and committees have broadened her world view, especially to see the intrinsic value of all people, including any on the margins. Brenda is a wife, mother and grandmother. She has been employed in office, bookkeeping and administrative positions throughout her working years. She has been an active church participant and volunteer in children’s and women’s programs, and committee work at local, provincial and national levels. She enjoys reading, word games, Sudoku, photography, traveling, cycling and life in general.
Brenda considers it a real privilege to be able to be part of The Chrysalis Fund board and to be able to work together with the generous women who are involved in this practical way of giving back to the community.
Nettie Austman
Steinbach has been home to Nettie for 36 years. After many very busy years of raising a family in the community and assisting in her husband’s business, Nettie is now retired, but continues to offer volunteer time. No longer involved in schools, sports, or music with her children, she volunteers her time as able with the Palliative Care Volunteer program and Soup’s On as a kitchen assistant. Joys in life include spending time with her family, traveling, reading, gardening, and cooking. She and her husband have 3 sons, 1 daughter, 2 daughters-in-law, and 3 amazing grandchildren.
Being involved with The Chrysalis Fund is a great way of giving back to a community that has been a wonderful place to raise a family.
Sherril Reimer
Steinbach has been home to Sherril and her husband Wes for 27 years, a wonderful place to raise their now 3 adult daughters. She enjoys her volunteer involvements with Soup’s On as a board member and weekly cook, as well as with Ten Thousand Villages. Being involved with South East Helping Hands teaching cooking classes also provides an opportunity to give back to the community. Sherril counts it a privilege to be a part of The Chrysalis Fund from its beginning. Her interests include reading, biking, traveling, spending time at the lake and meeting new people.
Lindsey Banman
Lindsey lives in Steinbach with her husband Matthew and their lovely daughter Norah and is a proud supporter of her home community. This was the reason for joining the Chrysalis Fund and wanting to make a greater impact in the lives of community members and organizations working tirelessly on creating healthy communities for all.
She works as the Member Relations Manager with the Steinbach Chamber of Commerce and receives much joy from interacting and forming relationships with local businesses that are enhancing the community through their own work.
Lindsey is always up for a great concert, especially while enjoying the Winnipeg Folk Festival with thousands of people. She never misses a season of playing on the Lorette Royals ringette team, which is a highlight of wintertime for her.
Her and Matthew enjoy going on nearby flying adventures in their 1977 Grumman Cheetah airplane, which has often taken them to new places, meeting wonderful people and providing hilarious stories…often turning into a comedy sketch at the next friend’s get-together!
Susan Yakabowich
Susan is passionate about generosity and embraces the vision of a world where everyone lives generously.
She works for Abundance Canada as a Gift Planning Consultant. She comes from a background of economic and business development and has lived the last 20 years in Southern Manitoba. She currently resides in Niverville.
She sits on the Executive for the Manitoba Chapter of the Canadian Association of Gift Planning as well is an active member of the Steinbach Professional Development Toastmasters group.
Susan is delighted to be part of The Chrysalis Fund and to be with like minded, generous women making a difference in the community.
“Helping others in need is not only a responsibility of life: it is what gives meaning to life.” – Mollie Marti
“No one has ever become poor by Giving” – Anne Frank
What is a Giving Circle?
A giving circle has been described as “a form of participatory philanthropy where groups of individuals donate their own money or time to a pooled fund, decide together where to give these away to charity or community projects and, in doing so, seek to increase their awareness of and engagement in the issues covered by the charity or community project”.
The Chrysalis Fund is a women’s giving circle that offers women the opportunity to team together to create a powerful force to work for change in the Steinbach community and area. Women with varying levels of experience in philanthropy collaborate on giving back to their community. By being a part of a giving circle a small individual effort is multiplied to affect significant change.
Details
The Chrysalis Fund meets annually to review grant applications and to celebrate the impact that the grants have made. At the Annual General Meeting, members learn about new granting opportunities to registered charitable organizations that promote growth and positive change in youth and children. There is also a segment of the AGM reserved to receive feedback from the organizations that were funded the previous year. When possible, members also have the opportunity to conduct site visits to organizations that were awarded grants. All other communication is conducted via email.
The Advisory Board forwards approved grant applications to the members of The Chrysalis Fund. The members then review these grant applications prior to the AGM. Members are given an opportunity to cast one vote for the organization of their choice.
Although participation at the AGM is encouraged, members are not required to be present at the AGM and may submit their vote via email.
A little help from our friends...
The Chrysalis Fund is very grateful for the assistance of The Winnipeg Foundation for their first five years. Their matching grant process allowed The Chrysalis Fund to immediately start with a meaningful grant to organizations in the community while allowing time for capital to grow. Currently, The Chrysalis Fund operates independently to provide community grants, but benefits from a partnership with the Steinbach Community Foundation and The Winnipeg Foundation. The Winnipeg Foundation manages all investments for The Chrysalis Fund.
