MHV back to balance after large donation

The Mennonite Heritage Village’s (MHV) books were back to being balanced after celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2024.

The $63,028 surplus presented at MHV’s annual general meeting at the museum April 8 was due in large part to a bequeathment that lifted total donations and fundraising to $644,579.

That was up from 2023 when total donations and fundraising were $269,210 – a difference of $375,369. That 2023 budget had a $280,903 deficit.

The MHV board and executive hope to raise another $450,830 in 2025 to balance the $1.085-million operating expense budget.

That is a target board president Matt Wieler admits will be hard to reach. He told the crowd of MHV members at the AGM that a normal year sees about $250,000 to $350,000 raised, which is similar to 2023.

“We are presenting this budget under the pretense that we’re probably uncomfortable knowing that we have about $100,000 goal to achieve in donations that might be higher than the norm,” Wieler told members.

“I’m not saying it’s for sure that we will receive $350,000 in donations, but if we were to try to take our emotions out of it and make our best guess based off of historical data, relationships that we have, the hope of the generosity that we continue to see, we feel that $350,000 is a very achievable goal. But it will be uncomfortable to be able to achieve $450,000.

“That’s a comment from our finance committee and I think we also made that comment in front of our board.”

Executive director Robert Goertzen took the position last year. He said MHV is creating a new donation and supporter plan.

“It’s going to be something that we work at throughout the year. We’re recognizing that it doesn’t just happen. It requires good planning and determination to tell our story and to find those people in the community who believe in the work that we’re doing,” said Goertzen after the meeting.

Tariffs from the United States are not expected to affect MHV too much, with most things locally sourced. But inflation is a reality.

“We feel that holding the line or slightly reducing expenses is the best we can do if we want to accomplish everything that we’re having with the programs and activities,” said Goertzen.

MHV is also raising prices on pavilion rentals for private events, which are in high demand. Some equipment purchases may also be deferred to a future year.

But if there was a theme to the presentations at the AGM, it was teamwork. And Goertzen said that team includes volunteers who can help bring down costs on things that had before required hiring people.

“We have a very strong volunteer program and strong core of volunteers to support us with their expertise and services,” he said.

Potential new volunteers can call the museum to see how they can help. An orientation will be held April 24.

Events for 2025

The museum is more than just looking at and learning from the past, it also about turning towards the future with a historical perspective. That future includes a very busy event calendar for 2025.

The 16th annual Tractor Trek fundraiser that sees a long line of antique tractor making their way to the museum June 21 could see the return of involvement from the Eden Foundation, which provides support for mental health services. Goertzen was hopeful and said those discussions are ongoing.

The MHV/Eden Foundation Peace Trek cycling fundraiser is Aug. 16.

But up next for MHV is the great Easter egg hunt April 19 starting at 10 a.m. There will be 30,000 chocolate eggs scattered around the museum village and family activities run until 2 p.m. The free egg hunt starts at 11 a.m.

A hopefully less wet Canada Day celebration returns for MHV’s biggest one-day event. Last year saw 1,600 people turn out despite the several days of soaking weather mucking up the outdoor paths and forcing most of the activities indoors. Manitoba Day celebrations are also back May 10.

Pioneer Days returns August long weekend for the museum’s showcase event, giving demonstrations of pioneer activities.

A new generation of museum goers are welcomed through the education program that saw 3,000 students coming through.

Pioneer day camps in July and August and a mini-camp in December also let kids get hands on experience churning butter and learning the pioneer way of life while having fun. There is even an apprentice camp July 21-25 for youth ages 11-14.

Events and programs are updated at mennoniteheritagevillage.com.