At the recent 2013 Women's Endowment Fund Luncheon at the Fort Gary Hotel, Marsha Cowan,  CEO of the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba,  noted that " the work the Women’s Endowment Fund does makes a real difference in people’s lives. "

She also announced a goal of  Doubling the Women's Endowment Fund to $2  million:

"Last year, we were able to share the exciting news with the community that the Women’s Endowment Fund had reached $1 million in total assets. It’s a wonderful milestone. We should all be proud.

 "But now – we move forward.  We are challenging ourselves to reach the $2 million mark. By ultimately doubling our assets, we will ultimately double our distribution which means that we wouldn’t have to turn down so many fine applications. In the most recent funding cycle, we were only able to fund 7 out of 11 applications, and able to distribute only one-third of the total money requested. We must do better, and we will do better.

"To launch the journey toward $2 million, we announced a Builders campaign last year. I am very proud to tell you that 58 women stepped forward with Builders gifts representing nearly $42,000. The Builders are listed on a page inserted in the program and many of our Builders are in the room today. I ask them to rise to accept our thanks".

Cowan also noted the philanthropy of Kiki Delaney: 

'While all gifts matter and we value all of our donors, I wanted to call special attention to Kiki Delaney of Delaney Capital Management in Toronto. Kiki has joined us this year as a first-time event sponsor with the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba and as a Women’s Endowment Fund Builder. Thank you, Kiki, for your enthusiasm, welcome to the Foundation family, and thank you for reminding us that there really is no such thing as a former Winnipegger."

Cowan summarized exciting news about the Foundation, and recognized the philanthropy of  Sheila Rabb and Edward Carriere Salon. As she said:

"Along with welcoming new donors, sponsors, and builders, there is much to be excited about at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba.  Our capital contributions have now reached $80 million, a number that continues to grow at a rate of about $3 million annually in new assets; we are distributing about $3 million a year in grants, scholarships, and donor-advised contributions; our flagship Endowment Book of Life program has attracted more than 700 participants; we have weathered – and continue to weather – volatile financial times through careful stewardship of our assets; our Board and committees continue to attract leading lights in the community; and, I’m excited to tell you, that we will be celebrating our 50^th anniversary, starting in June 2014 and ending in June 2015. Fifty years. Thanks to you, we’ve come a very long way.

"Without donors, sponsors, and volunteers – none of this happens. Every success enjoyed by the Foundation and indeed by any not-for-profit organization is powered by generosity, good will, and action. And when I think of generosity, good will, and action, Sheila Rabb and Edward Carriere Salon come to mind. It is our pleasure to recognize them today. I ask our President, Steve Kroft, to come forward to present our certificates of appreciation."

In giving out the certificates of appreciation to Shiela Rabb and Edward Carriere, Steve Kroft, President of the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba said:

"Today we are celebrating Builders, but without Founders, there can be no Builders. Sheila Rabb was one of the Women’s Endowment Fund’s original Founders in 1994. She has served on the Endowment Book of Life Committee and, along with her husband David, she is a signer of the Endowment Book of Life. In 2011, Sheila and David fulfilled their Book of Life commitment with Sheila designating funds to the Women’s Endowment Fund. She is an active grandmother and community volunteer who has shared her talents with CancerCare Manitoba, the Red Cross, the MS Society, the Chai Folk Ensemble, the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, the Health Sciences Centre Maternity Ward, Shalom Square, and Hadassah. Wow! But she might be most famous for her many years of work sending out tribute cards on behalf of National Council of Jewish Women. Sheila, thank you for your generosity, your spirit of community, and for the example you set for all of us.

"What would a Women’s Endowment Fund Luncheon be without the participation of Edward Carriere Salon? Edward Carriere has been a sponsor of this event since the very beginning. This is a business that clearly cares about improving lives in the community, and we are honoured and grateful to be part of the Salon’s philanthropy and community service. Besides his support of the Jewish Foundation, Edward Carriere has been a partner in the Day of Caring Program of the Nor’West Co-op Community Health Centre; an advocate for youth hockey in the West Broadway area; and the salon has raised thousands of dollars’ worth of food donations for people living below the poverty line. Edward Carriere and his salon’s commitment to their neighbourhood and the city as a whole is unbelievable. As usual, one of our guests today will be going home with an exceptional basket of Edward Carriere Salon products. Today, we’d like to send something back to the Salon – a certificate of our deep and sincere gratitude. Edward Carriere and Deborah Seguin of Edward Carriere Salon, please come forward."

Margaret Redmond, CEO of the Assiniboine Park Conservancy was the keynote speaker at the Luncheon and outlined the dramatic redevelopment of the Park that is currently underway. [To read more about this, see related article ASSINIBOINE PARK UNDERGOING DRAMATIC CHANGES: HELP BUILD A HOME FOR HUDSON ]