Canada’s first community foundation, The Winnipeg Foundation, was established in 1921 by William Forbes Alloway. Today we manage more than 2,400 endowment funds built by people from all walks of life and are part of a vibrant network of more than 175 community foundations across the country. Donors to The Winnipeg Foundation share a commitment to our vision of “a Winnipeg where community life flourishes”.

The Winnipeg Foundation fulfills this vision through wise and effective grant-making that meets the needs of the community, while respecting donors' wishes.

Read an Overview of The Winnipeg Foundation (PDF).

Through permanent endowment funds, The Winnipeg Foundation helps to strengthen our community and create a legacy for all of our donors.

The Foundation offers flexible options for donors to help them meet their personal needs and philanthropic goals. Gifts to the Foundation are pooled and invested and the income earned is distributed as grants that support community projects. The Foundation maintains the purchasing power of the funds entrusted to us, achieving maximum returns consistent with prudent investment and assuring sound financial management practices. Through these permanent endowments, the Foundation is able to meet the needs of our community now and forever.

The Foundation responds to needs identified by local registered charities. During our more than eight decades of history, the Foundation has distributed more than $200 million to support programs and projects in: community service, education, health, environment, heritage, arts and culture and recreation.