RMPN to host fundraisers

The Rural Manitoba Philanthropy Network (RMPN) is set to host its next gathering on Sept. 26, bringing together fundraisers, community leaders, and nonprofit professionals to strengthen collaboration and elevate philanthropy across Westman.

The event, organized under the umbrella of the Assiniboine College Foundation, will feature two guest speakers.

Winnipeg-based fundraising consultant Christine Becker will share insights on creating a culture of philanthropy and engaging board members in fundraising decisions. Bob Cooney, the new executive director of the Brandon Area Community Foundation, will discuss how nonprofits can better harness social media to connect with their communities.

The event represents another step in building a supportive and professional fundraising community in a region where collaboration hasn’t always come naturally, the foundation’s major gift officer Beth Proven told the Sun.

“When I first came to Brandon from Winnipeg, I was surprised to learn that fundraisers here didn’t really know each other,” Proven said. “There was a sense of being competitors rather than colleagues with a shared vision. Through this network, we’re breaking down those barriers and creating space for connection, learning and collaboration.”

She said the RMPN began in 2024 with a film screening of “Uncharitable,” which attracted 60 people despite a February blizzard. Since then, it has grown steadily, hosting professional development sessions in Brandon and online, with a mailing list now reaching more than 70 members.

Proven said one of the keys to changing the culture has been prioritizing networking time. “Every event includes a refreshment break and 30 minutes of mingling. It’s about humanizing each other and realizing we all want to raise the bar for philanthropy in this region,” she said.

The network has faced some challenges — mainly around encouraging participation and reaching beyond Brandon to smaller communities — but it has also seen momentum. Proven hopes to attract not only nonprofit staff and board members but also professional advisors such as lawyers, accountants, and financial planners who play a vital role in guiding charitable giving.

The upcoming event will be the RMPN’s fourth formal gathering, with attendance typically ranging between 20 and 35 participants. The MICA building at Assiniboine College will host the session, but Proven says larger venues will be considered if demand grows.

Beyond individual events, Proven explained that the network is already shifting the philanthropic landscape in Westman. She pointed to Assiniboine College’s recent campaign, which secured the region’s first-ever $10 million donation.

“Before that, Westman had never even seen a million-dollar donation,” she said. “When one organization raises the bar, it shows others what’s possible. It lifts the whole sector.”

She added that philanthropy in rural Manitoba has its own distinct character compared to larger urban centers. “Here, it’s very personal. It’s about authentic, long-term relationships, not just transactions. That’s what makes the work meaningful, and it’s why building this kind of community is so important.”

With global examples of philanthropy reaching as high as $500 million in Canada and even a billion dollars in the United States, Proven said the sky is the limit for rural Manitoba, too. “The bar is always being raised,” she said. “It’s just a matter of time before Westman sees gifts of that magnitude.”

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