Twenty-four hours of giving helped increase the endowment fund for the Community Foundation of Portage and District (CFPD).

The organization announced today its fundraising totals from the Nov. 19, 24-hour giving challenge. For every $5 contributed to CFPD that day, the Winnipeg Foundation chipped-in an extra $1. CFPD executive director Mary Lynn Moffat says they raised $9,650: a total of $11,580 including the Winnipeg Foundation's contribution.

"The endowment fund this money goes into is what is put towards our granting program," says Moffat. "When we have our two granting seasons, and when non-profits in the community apply for funding, those that meet the criteria (get funding).

"It's always a challenge to select where the funds can go, because there are limited funds," she continues. "And we get all sorts of requests for great projects in the community. But it will be part of our granting program."

The challenge occurs annually through Endow Manitoba, and it aims to encourage contributions to endowment funds throughout the province. More than $445,000 came into endowment funds this year in Manitoba during the one-day challenge.

"The impact of giving to foundations means that there is ongoing funds available in all communities that got involved," explains Moffat. "And we're just excited to be able to be part of the program."

Moffat adds the next CFPD granting intake is April 1, 2017.