Leave a Legacy
Grants
Scholarships
We take a broad view of what makes a community and what it takes for a community to succeed.
Our community grants support for projects under that broad canopy including shelter, sustenance and care for those most in need, to recreation, the arts, and community activities for the benefit of all.
COMPETITIVE GRANTS
Community Fund, Jake & Tina Neisteter Memorial, and Thomas Sill Fund
These community funds support:
- Arts, Culture & Recreation
- Family & Community Services
- Health
- Environment
- Education
- Heritage
- Leadership
Darlene Gale Peters Endowment Fund
The Darlene Gale Peters Fund supports:
- Health-related education
- Health-related programs
2014 Power Smart Manitoba Winter Games Sport Legacy Fund
The Sports Legacy Fund supports:
- Opportunities for promotion and enhancement of sport leadership and/or sport development
- Organizations for the benefit of sport
- Projects aligned with True Sport principles
Grant Applications are OPEN for 2025
There is one grant application for all grant programs. Please see below for how to apply.
Central Station, Community Service Recovery Grant Recipient
HOW TO APPLY FOR A GRANT
There is one application process for all of our competitive grants.
Application deadline: April 15 annually
An acknowledgement will be sent via email upon receipt of both the application and supporting documents. Please note: you must submit a final report from your previous grant before submitting a new application.
The Winkler Community Foundation grant-making provides financial support to qualified community groups whose activities advance the foundation’s objectives. These objectives are:
- To support social services to advance the welfare of the needy and the alleviation of human suffering and poverty
- To support and develop recreation and physical fitness activities
- To assist and promote the arts, culture and heritage activities;
- To advance education;
- To support and advance the provision of medical services;
- To support the enhancement of the environment;
- To support and advance other community activities or facilities of a charitable nature.
Grant Guidelines:
- Project must primarily benefit the people of Winkler and District.
- Grants are made only to non-profit organizations with CRA Registration Numbers and other qualified recipients under the Income Tax Act.
- Grants to Non-Qualified Donees (NQD) to be kept under 5% of WCF overall disbursements.
- Each individual grant to a Non-Qualified Donee (NQD) recipient must be under $5,000.
- Self-directed funds are not eligible to grant to Non-Qualified Donees (NQDs).
- Organizations seeking funds must demonstrate a strong and committed board, fiscal responsibility, and management qualifications.
- Grants are awarded for definite purposes and for projects covering a specific period of time.
- Pilot or demonstration projects must include provision for an evaluation and a realistic plan for financial viability beyond the pilot stage.
- The Foundation encourages the participation of others in funding projects, and, on occasion, provides matching funds or challenge grants to stimulate increased response from other sources.
- Organizations must submit a satisfactory report on their previous Community Grant showing accountability for the use of the funds within one year. Failure to complete the final report may result in denial of future grant applications.
Grants are not made to or for:
- projects or programs that will be completed before the grant decision takes place;
- operating expenses/ capital deficits/ mortgages;
- annual fund drives;
- establish or add to endowment funds;
- specific medical research projects or scientific research projects;
- direct religious activities;
- political activities;
- individuals
The following information is needed to complete the online application. The first section collects all pertinent organization information, providing an initial snapshot to the grant provider about the applicant.
ORGANIZATION INFORMATION:
- Name of organization
- Charitable registration number
- Mission statement
- Number of employees
- Number of volunteers the project will engage
- Mailing address
- Website
The second section collects the main contact’s information to provide follow up communication.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
- Contact person
- Contact title/position
- Contact phone number
- Contact email address
- Applicant name (if different from contact person)
- Applicant email address
The third section offers a brief summary of your project.
GRANT REQUEST INFORMATION:
- Project name
- Amount requested
- Project start and completion dates
- Approved by the Board of Directors
- Partial funding (will the project still proceed?)
- Recognition
The fourth section asks about any other applied for and/or received financial support. The Winkler Community Foundation encourages partnership and working with others in funding projects.
OTHER FINANCIAL SUPPORT:
- Other sources of funding
- Upload applicable documents
The fifth section asks for specific information and descriptions to make sure your organization has a clear understanding of the impact the project will have on the community. This offers a comprehensive breakdown of your project and presents the granting committee with a detailed overview of the project’s objectives, timeline, and anticipated outcomes.
PROJECT/PROGRAM INFORMATION:
- Descriptive summary
- Who will benefit
- Need and importance in the community
- Implementation (specific activities and timelines)
- Evaluation (success and benefits for the community)
The sixth section requires you to submit the following documentation.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:
- Copy of the most current audited or reviewed financial statement
- Detailed budget including applicable quotes for capital purchases
- List of all Board of Directors
If you have any questions during the application process, you can contact the Community Development Coordinator at 431-775-9882 or grants@winklercommunityfoundation.com
A final report from your previous grant and all required documents for your current grant must be submitted for your application to be considered.
- Financial Statement: a copy of the most current audited or reviewed financial statements
- Budget & Quotes: a detailed project budget, including any quotations for capital purchases
- Board of Directors: a list of Officers of the Governing Board and all Directors
- Financial Support: a list of any other sources of support for this project (organizations, amount, confirmed/unconfirmed)
The deadline for grant applications is April 15, 2025.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Winkler Library, Community Grant recipient
Is my project eligible for a grant?
To be eligible for a grant from the Winkler Community Foundation, your organization must have a registered charity number and your project must primarily serve the citizens of Winkler and surrounding community. Please review the Terms of Grants. If you still have questions, contact our Executive Director.
How much should our organization apply for?
Some of the lowest grants we’ve ever provided have been a few hundred dollars and the highest grant was $50,000 over a 5-year commitment. On average, our grants range from $1,000 to $10,000 per grant.
What kind of things have you funded?
We support projects and programs where a moderate grant will have a significant impact. We typically do not fund 100% percent of a project. Consider reviewing the list of Grant Recipients on this website in advance, to get a better understanding of what has typically been funded in the past.
Is there something you don’t fund?
Grants are not made to:
• support operating expenses of established agencies;
• individuals;
• project costs related to activities undertaken before the date of the Grants Committee or Board decision;
• annual fundraising campaigns or annual fundraising events;
• pay down mortgages or reduce deficits;
• political activities;
• exclusively religious activities, defined as proselytizing related to a specific set of organized beliefs and practices;
• establish or add to endowment funds
My project has already started/ended. Can I still apply funding?
Please contact the Executive Director to determine whether a part of your project is still eligible.
My previous project is not yet complete. May I apply for a new grant?
We will accept a new grant application only after your previous project is complete and a final report has been submitted.
What do you look for in a grant application?
Preference is given to projects which:
• Align with The Winkler Community Foundation’s strategic granting priorities;
• Demonstrate innovative approaches and techniques to solve community issues, and build individual, neighbourhood and/or community capacity;
• Encourage more efficient use of community resources;
• Promote cooperation and sharing among organizations to minimize the potential for duplication of services;
• Promote volunteer participation;
• Strengthen an organization’s capacity to be sustainable.
• Demonstrate accessibility and inclusiveness;
• Demonstrate sensitivity to diversity;
• Address the root causes of issues in our society;
• Demonstrate that consideration has been given to the project’s effect on the environment
PAST GRANT RECIPIENTS
In 2024, we supported local people, projects and places with over $140,000
Agency Fund Grants
| ORGANIZATION | DESCRIPTION | AMOUNT |
| Fire Rescue Fund | ||
| Winkler Fire Department | Mental Health First Aid Training Course and open house training aids | $981 |
| Heritage Museum Fund | ||
| Winkler Heritage Museum | Operating | $1,927 |
| Gateway Resources Fund | ||
| Gateway Resources | 204 Main Street project – furnishings & supplies | $56,905 |
Community Fund Grants
| Organization | Description | Amount |
| Reinfeld Park | Playground & picnic shelter | $10,000 |
| Central Station | Poverty Reduction Program | $10,000 |
| Pembina Counselling Centre | Client Assistance | $5,000 |
| Child & Family Services of Central Manitoba Foundation Inc. | Chance to grow – children participate in extra curricular programs | $3,000 |
| Boundary Trails Health Centre Foundation | Education Days | $2,500 |
| Habitat for Humanity Winkler-Morden Chapter | New house build | $2,500 |
| Northland Child Care Centre Inc. | Playground upgrade – new woodchips | $1,500 |
| Southwood Elementary School/ GVSD | Sandpit | $1,500 |
| Winkler Day Care Centre | Playground refresh | $1,500 |
| Healthy Muslim Families | New office furnishings | $1,000 |
| Douglas Kuhl School of Music | Technology upgrade | $500 |
| Discovery Nature Sanctuary Committee | Pollinator Garden | $500 |
| South Central Regional Library | Dishwasher | $800 |
| Winkler Arts and Culture Centre |
Summer art program | $760 |
Designated Fund Grants
| ORGANIZATION | DESCRIPTION | AMOUNT |
| Katie Cares Fund | ||
| Katie Cares | Operating | $5,115 |
| Frank & Vi Wiebe Cheerboard Fund | ||
| Winkler & District Cheerboard | Annual Christmas Hampers | $3,223 |
Donor Advised Fund Grants
| ORGANIZATION | DESCRIPTION | AMOUNT |
| Kalansky Family Fund | ||
| The Bunker | Industrial Eats Project | $1,000 |
| MAP Family Fund | ||
| GVSD – JR Walkof School | Wyatt Fehr Outdoor Classroom | $2,271 |
| Mend the Gap Fund | ||
| Central Station | Community Housing Emerency needs | $2,266 |
Field of Interest Fund Grants
| ORGANIZATION | DESCRIPTION | AMOUNT |
| Darlene Peters Health Fund | ||
| South Central Cancer Resource | Skin Screen Clinic | $3,000 |
| Salem Home Inc | Salem Park | $1,990 |
| 2014 MB Winter Games Sports Legacy Fund | ||
| Winkler Whips | Scoreboard | $3,759 |
| Dr CW Wiebe Medical Fund | ||
| Winkler & District Health Care Board | Exam table | $9,476 |
TOTAL GRANTS AWARDED $142,592
Mend The Gap Fund, Central Station Play Structure Project