Community foundations across Manitoba saw donations supercharged during the 24-hour Giving Challenge on Saturday.

The Winkler Community Foundation (WCF) smashed its ambitious goal and raised $50,000.

WCF Executive Director Myra Peters says the challenge was a success thanks to matching efforts from not only the Winnipeg Foundation and the Government of Manitoba, but also from the City of Winkler, Access Credit Union, Kroeker Farms, ProTec, Goldenwest Radio, Winkler Concrete, Southern Potato, Elias Woodwork, Triple E and Winkler Auto Dealers.

Board Members Tracy Klassen and Ken Wiebe at the ACF table in the Altona Mall during the 24-Hour Giving Challenge Saturday, November 16th. Submitted."Thanks to our donors, the Winkler Community Foundation is able to help a wide variety of local charitable projects, now and forever," Peters says. "From play structure projects, assisting the food cupboard, youth, and senior projects and programs, to heritage, the arts and recreation. You can be confident your gift will have a lasting impact on Winkler."

Meantime, the final total is still being tallied for the Altona Community Foundation (ACF), however, estimates peg funds raised locally on Saturday, combined with the max "stretch" dollars, at nearly $40,000. According to an ACF statement, this is similar to what was raised during the 2018 24-Hour Giving Challenge.

"We are so very thankful for the ongoing support of Altona and Municipality of Rhineland residents, especially during the 24-Hour Giving Challenge," said ACF President Chris Sumner. "The Challenge is our biggest fundraiser of the year, and continues to play a significant role in growing the Foundation's Endowment Fund."

Following Saturday's fundraising blitz, ACF's endowment fund has now surpassed the $1.4 million mark.

Board members for ACF thank the many business partners that made donations during the 24-Hour Giving Challenge: Red River Mutual, Access Credit Union, Golden West, Pioneer Meat, Municipality of Rhineland, Keystone Kat and Pembina Valley Pharmacy.

As for the Morden Area Foundation, that organization saw over $33,000 raised during the Challenge, the largest amount for the 24-hour Giving Challenge to date.

"It's very exciting with people catching on to the program," MAF Executive Director Lynda Lambert says, noting all funds will go directly to investments and the interest earned will be granted to local charities on an annual basis forever into the future.

In Carman, the local foundation raised just over $30,000.

In total, nearly $20,000 was raised in Plum Coulee, up from $6,600 a year ago. "People are just becoming more aware this event happens every year," Plum Coulee Foundation member Moira Porte explains.

While totals are still being calculated in Miami and Manitou, local organizers say they've raised over the maximum of $10,000 to get the $4,000 boost in matching funds.

The final tally is also still be counted for the Morris Area Foundation and is expected to be announced in early December.

However, President Del Stevenson added early estimates sit at $27,170.50 plus the $4,000 "stretch" grant, for a total of $31,170.53.