Grants for Nonprofits in Manitoba: 2026 Funding Guide
If you are searching for grants for nonprofits in Manitoba, the good news is that the province remains one of the more generous funders of community organizations in Canada — but the program names have changed, and applying to the wrong (or discontinued) program is a common and costly mistake. Manitoba's community funding flows through several channels: provincial programs administered by Municipal and Northern Relations, arts funding through the Manitoba Arts Council, federal programs open to organizations in every province, and private foundations such as The Winnipeg Foundation, one of Canada's oldest community foundations.
A note before you bookmark older guides: the Building Sustainable Communities Program (BSC) — for years Manitoba's flagship community grant — is no longer available. The province created BSC in April 2019 by consolidating seven legacy community development programs (news release, April 2019), then repurposed it in April 2024 into a new flagship, From the Ground Up – Safe Healthy Communities for ALL (news release, April 2024). The former BSC page now confirms the program has ended. This guide covers what is actually open in 2026 — and what your organization needs in place before it can apply.
Major Manitoba grant programs for not-for-profits
| Program | Funder | What it funds | Typical amount | Intake window / deadline | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| From the Ground Up – Safe Healthy Communities for ALL | Manitoba Municipal and Northern Relations | Community renewal, community spaces, and children/youth projects in three streams | Up to $100,000 (Community Renewal and Community Spaces streams); up to $50,000 (Children and Youth stream); non-profits cost-shared at 80% of eligible costs | 2026-27 intake closed January 26, 2026; watch the grants portal for the next round | Program guidelines (PDF) |
| Urban/Hometown Green Team | Manitoba Municipal and Northern Relations | Wages to hire youth aged 15–29 for community projects between May 1 and September 30 | Non-profits reimbursed the Manitoba minimum wage plus 4% vacation pay and CPP/EI, to a maximum of $150,000 | 2026 season deadline was January 26, 2026; annual intake | 2026 guidelines (PDF) |
| Support – Operate | Manitoba Arts Council | Operating funding for not-for-profit arts and cultural organizations with revenues of $50,000+ | Minimum award $20,000/year; scaled to revenue (e.g., smaller organizations up to $37,500) | Deadline was January 25, 2026; results May 2026 | artscouncil.mb.ca |
| Manitoba Arts Council project grants | Manitoba Arts Council | Project-based creation, sharing and community arts programs | Varies by program | Multiple intakes per year | MAC grants overview |
| Community Grants | The Winnipeg Foundation | Projects in literacy/education, arts and heritage, community services, environment, and health/recreation — including capital and equipment | Projects up to $100,000 | Most recent intake closed March 27, 2026, with decisions in June 2026 | wpgfdn.org |
The province lists all of its active grants — including any successor intakes to the programs above — on the Manitoba grants portal, which is worth checking each autumn. The 2026-27 intake for both From the Ground Up and the Green Team was announced on November 26, 2025 with a shared January 26, 2026 deadline (news release), so a similar late-autumn announcement is a reasonable expectation for the next cycle.
Note that eligibility rules differ. From the Ground Up and the Green Team are open to incorporated non-profit organizations in good standing, municipalities, and Northern Affairs community councils. The Winnipeg Foundation's Community Grants, by contrast, are directed to CRA-registered charities and other qualified donees, so a newly incorporated not-for-profit may need a charitable partner (or its own charitable registration) before applying there.
Federal grants Manitoba not-for-profits can also access
Provincial money is only half the picture. Manitoba organizations regularly draw on federal programs, including Canada Summer Jobs, which subsidizes summer wages for youth aged 15 to 30, and the New Horizons for Seniors Program, which funds community projects that keep seniors active and connected — the federal government announced its latest round of community-based funding under that program in April 2026 (Canada.ca). Employment and Social Development Canada maintains a directory of current funding programs covering jobs, skills and community-building. For the full list of national opportunities, see our guide to federal grants for not-for-profits.
Recently awarded grants in Manitoba
Recent announcements show where Manitoba's community money is actually going:
- January 2026 — The province announced $350,000 for four Dauphin organizations under From the Ground Up, including $100,000 each to Dauphin Recreation Services, the Ukrainian Folk Arts Centre and Museum, and the Anishinaabe Agowidiiwinan Secretariat, and $50,000 to Career Trek for youth career programming — part of more than $12 million invested provincewide in 2025-26 (news release, January 24, 2026).
- April 2026 — Green Team funding created close to 1,900 summer jobs for young Manitobans on community projects across the province (news release, April 16, 2026).
- November 2025 — The province opened the joint 2026-27 intake for From the Ground Up and the Urban/Hometown Green Team, with applications due January 26, 2026 (news release, November 26, 2025).
Who qualifies for grants for nonprofits in Manitoba — and why incorporation matters
Nearly every program above requires applicants to be legally established organizations. Manitoba's From the Ground Up guidelines are explicit: non-profit applicants must be incorporated and able to demonstrate they are active and in good standing when asked. The Green Team guidelines carry the same requirement, and the Manitoba Arts Council's operating stream funds established not-for-profit organizations with audited-quality financial reporting. Foundations go further still — The Winnipeg Foundation generally requires charitable registration, which itself is far simpler to obtain once you are incorporated.
In practice, that means an unincorporated committee or informal club cannot access this funding directly. Funders want a legal entity that can sign a funding agreement, carry liability, keep proper books, and survive the departure of any single volunteer. If your group is still operating on a handshake, incorporating as a not-for-profit under Manitoba's Corporations Act (or federally) is the single most important step toward grant readiness — our guide to incorporating a not-for-profit in Manitoba walks through the process.
How to strengthen your grant application
Manitoba's community programs are oversubscribed, so the difference between funded and declined often comes down to preparation rather than merit. Start with governance: reviewers look for a functioning board, current bylaws, and evidence that your corporate filings are up to date — a certificate of status or good standing answers that question before it is asked. Build a realistic project budget with quotes for major cost items, and remember that cost-shared programs like From the Ground Up expect you to document your 20 per cent share, whether cash or confirmed in-kind contributions.
Describe outcomes, not just activities. "Employ six youth to restore the community rink" is stronger than "improve recreation," and stronger still with a plan to measure results. Letters of support from your municipality, school division or partner organizations signal community backing, which matters in a program explicitly aimed at community renewal. Finally, respect the calendar: Manitoba's main intakes cluster in January, so the organizations that succeed are usually the ones whose incorporation, insurance and financial statements were in order by November.
Frequently asked questions
What grants are available for nonprofits in Manitoba?
The flagship provincial program is From the Ground Up – Safe Healthy Communities for ALL, offering up to $100,000 for community renewal and community spaces projects and up to $50,000 for children and youth initiatives. Other options include the Urban/Hometown Green Team (youth wage funding to $150,000), Manitoba Arts Council operating and project grants, Winnipeg Foundation Community Grants, and federal programs such as Canada Summer Jobs.
Is the Building Sustainable Communities Program still available?
No. Manitoba created the Building Sustainable Communities Program in 2019 by consolidating seven older programs (including its community development grants), then repurposed it in April 2024 into From the Ground Up – Safe Healthy Communities for ALL. The province's website confirms BSC is no longer available, so new applicants should apply to From the Ground Up instead.
When is the next From the Ground Up intake?
The 2026-27 intake closed on January 26, 2026, after being announced in late November 2025. Based on that pattern, the next intake is likely to be announced in late 2026 with an application deadline in January 2027. Check the Manitoba grants portal at gov.mb.ca/grants for the official announcement and updated guidelines before preparing an application.
Do you need to be a registered charity to get grants in Manitoba?
Not for most provincial programs — From the Ground Up and the Green Team accept incorporated non-profit organizations in good standing, without charitable status. However, many foundations, including The Winnipeg Foundation's Community Grants, fund CRA-registered charities and qualified donees. Incorporation is the practical baseline everywhere; charitable registration expands your options afterward.
How much can a nonprofit get from the Green Team program?
Under the 2026 Urban/Hometown Green Team guidelines, non-profit organizations, Northern Affairs community councils and education authorities can receive up to $150,000. The program reimburses the Manitoba minimum wage plus 4 per cent vacation pay and CPP/EI costs for youth aged 15 to 29 employed on eligible community projects between May 1 and September 30.
Can a new nonprofit apply for Manitoba grants right away?
You can apply as soon as you are incorporated and in good standing for programs like From the Ground Up, though you will need a board, a budget and often confirmed cost-sharing. Some funders prefer a track record or financial statements from at least one completed year, so plan your incorporation well ahead of your first intake deadline.
Grant-ready starts with incorporated — free consultation
Funders fund organizations, not ideas. Before the next intake deadline, get your not-for-profit incorporated and grant-ready: a CRS specialist will review your proposed names, board, and mission in a free consultation and set up the corporate records funders ask for — certificate of incorporation, registered office, minute book, and annual filings.
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
What grants are available for nonprofits in Manitoba?
The flagship provincial program is From the Ground Up – Safe Healthy Communities for ALL, offering up to $100,000 for community renewal and community spaces projects and up to $50,000 for children and youth initiatives. Other options include the Urban/Hometown Green Team (youth wage funding to $150,000), Manitoba Arts Council operating and project grants, Winnipeg Foundation Community Grants, and federal programs such as Canada Summer Jobs.
Is the Building Sustainable Communities Program still available?
No. Manitoba created the Building Sustainable Communities Program in 2019 by consolidating seven older programs (including its community development grants), then repurposed it in April 2024 into From the Ground Up – Safe Healthy Communities for ALL. The province's website confirms BSC is no longer available, so new applicants should apply to From the Ground Up instead.
When is the next From the Ground Up intake?
The 2026-27 intake closed on January 26, 2026, after being announced in late November 2025. Based on that pattern, the next intake is likely to be announced in late 2026 with an application deadline in January 2027. Check the Manitoba grants portal at gov.mb.ca/grants for the official announcement and updated guidelines before preparing an application.
Do you need to be a registered charity to get grants in Manitoba?
Not for most provincial programs — From the Ground Up and the Green Team accept incorporated non-profit organizations in good standing, without charitable status. However, many foundations, including The Winnipeg Foundation's Community Grants, fund CRA-registered charities and qualified donees. Incorporation is the practical baseline everywhere; charitable registration expands your options afterward.
How much can a nonprofit get from the Green Team program?
Under the 2026 Urban/Hometown Green Team guidelines, non-profit organizations, Northern Affairs community councils and education authorities can receive up to $150,000. The program reimburses the Manitoba minimum wage plus 4 per cent vacation pay and CPP/EI costs for youth aged 15 to 29 employed on eligible community projects between May 1 and September 30.
Can a new nonprofit apply for Manitoba grants right away?
You can apply as soon as you are incorporated and in good standing for programs like From the Ground Up, though you will need a board, a budget and often confirmed cost-sharing. Some funders prefer a track record or financial statements from at least one completed year, so plan your incorporation well ahead of your first intake deadline.
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