Thirty-thousand dollars in grants is available for Portage la Prairie projects to celebrate Canada's 150th birthday. Mary Lynn Moffat, executive director of Community Foundation of Portage and District (CFPD), says they're not focused too much on specific criteria.

"We're looking at all of our projects that might reflect something relating to cultural diversity or the indigenous peoples, or youth," Moffat says. "It's a wide-ranging opportunity. It's hard to put some definite parameters on it, because we want to see what ideas come in from the people that would like to do something. And there are all sorts of fabulous ideas around."

Moffat says the $30,000 to be divided up among all selected projects comes from $15,000 provided by a partnership with Community Foundations of Canada, the federal government and many business leaders. That amount is to be matched by the CFPD. She notes all the money might go to one large project or several smaller ones. Moffat says they'll decide that once they receive all project submissions.

Moffat explains there are three basic focuses for projects, including: The encouragement of participation in community activities and events, inspiration for a deeper understanding about the people and places and events that make up our country and our community, and the building of vibrant and healthy communities.

"We want to get the community engaged and to acknowledge the various cultures that make up all of our communities," she notes. "Again, it's nice if the projects can connect to a legacy for the Canada 150 anniversary year, but the biggest thing is to ensure it has an impact on the community. It's just an exciting opportunity to end up with more funds to give out within the community than we have on a normal year."

Moffat says promotion of the grants has been taking place for a few months now, and deadline for applications is Jan. 31. You can fill out an application online (http://www.cfpdi.ca/) and you can call (204) 856-1971 for more information. A video of the program can be viewed at that website.