Please refresh your web browser. Manitoba Riding for the Disabled Association is a charitable non-profit organization formed in 1977 to provide a therapeutic riding program for children with disabilities. Manitoba Riding for the Disabled Association is the only certified riding program in Manitoba and a member of the Canadian Therapeutic Riding Association.   Manitoba Riding for the Disabled Association Mission Statement To enable children living with special needs and disability to experience horseback riding with all the therapeutic and social benefits proven to go along with it.   Sponsor a Horse- Help a Child to Ride

Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Charities squeezed for dollars

Donor fatigue, government cuts equal cash crunch

By: Geoff Kirbyson

19/07/2010 1:00 AM |

PHIL.HOSSACK@FREEPRESS.MB.CA

Peter Manastyrsky says donations to the Manitoba Riding for the Disabled are down by more than 50 per cent from last year. The association is not alone in its plight.

The economy may be recovering from the global financial crisis but you'd never know it from talking to many charities in Manitoba.

Donations from individuals, corporations and even governments are down for many organizations this year, particularly low-profile ones, and that's raising fears some much-needed services may be forced to cut their operations or even close for good.

It hasn't helped local outfits in need that international crises, such as the the earthquake in Haiti last January, have sparked high-profile fundraising efforts at a time when many would-be donors are just finding their financial footing again.

Donations to the Manitoba Riding for the Disabled Association are down by more than half from a year ago. Peter Manastyrsky, its executive director, said it needs to raise about $80,000 annually to be able to provide therapeutic horseback riding to children between six and 12 years of age.

"Donations are our lifeline," he said. "We're treading a thin line right now. If we don't get donations in, the program might cease or have to be suspended in 2011."

The association has 28 children with a variety of disabilities, including autism, cerebral palsy and Down syndrome, who take part in a pair of 10-week programs every year.

"For 95 per cent of them, this is the only activity they can participate in. This is their hockey, their soccer," he said.

The 33-year-old organization has more than 100 volunteers, including physiotherapists, occupational therapists and "side-walkers" who ensure the children don't tumble from their mount.

The Spence Neighbourhood Association had to close its Composting For Community program last summer because Manitoba Conservation was unable to continue funding it.

Kate Sjoberg, SNA's executive director, said she is also being forced to lay off a staff member in the fall because of funding cuts. The biggest impact will be felt on neighbourhood streets, she said.

"When people get to know each other, they feel safer. They're more likely to reach out when there are issues on their street or do preventative work," she said.

Larger, more well-known organizations aren't feeling the same pinch, said Andrea Gantzel, director of development at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Winnipeg.

"We're well enough established, we have a recognizable brand and we're a national organization. We've found our supporters have recognized how difficult this time can be and have stepped up with more support, either donations or volunteering their time," she said.

Manastyrsky said smaller organizations are at a disadvantage because they don't have advertising budgets to promote their causes or spearhead fundraising drives.

"The money we do get goes directly into the program. It's like a mom-and-pop shop competing with the big-box stores. We acknowledge the people who donate but we can't take out a half-page ad in the newspaper to thank a business for their money," he said.

geoff.kirbyson@freepress.mb.ca