The Major Capital Grant program provides funding to charitable organizations and qualified donees for capital campaigns and large projects requiring more than $100,000. Applicants may request up to $1,000,000.
| Program | Application Due Date | In-Person Information Sessions (click to register) | Virtual Information Sessions via ZOOM (click to register) |
| Major Capital Grants | 2-Stage Application: Stage 1 – May 1, 2026 at 12:00 (noon) Stage 2 – June 26, 2026 at 12:00 (noon) (decision in December) | Théâtre Cercle Molière 340 Provencher Blvd. Wednesday, April 15 (2:00 – 3:30 p.m.) | Thursday April 9 (10:00 – 11:00 a.m.) Thursday April 23 (10:00 – 11:00 a.m.) |
You can view your grant information at any time.
If you have any issues accessing your account, please contact grants@wpgfdn.org.
Eligibility
To be eligible for a Major Capital Grant, organizations must meet the following criteria:
- Only organizations that have a grant history with The Winnipeg Foundation and have received and reported on at least one Community Grant are eligible to apply for a Major Capital Grant. · Adhere to the Manitoba Human Rights Code and not discriminate based on actual or perceived group characteristics identified in the Manitoba Human Rights Code.
- Projects must primarily benefit the people of Winnipeg. For projects taking place outside of the City, applicants should demonstrate how the project will also benefit the people of Winnipeg.
- The organization applying for a Major Capital Grant must either own the space that is the focus of the capital project, upgrades, or renovations; or hold a long term lease, of at least five years, at the time of grant approval.
- Organizations that have a current or outstanding Major Capital Grant are not eligible to apply for a Major Capital Grant.
- Project readiness is a key factor in grant analysis. Preference will be given to applications where more than 50% of the project budget has been confirmed.
- For projects with less than 50% of the budget secured, preference will be given to communities that have not benefitted equitably from grants and have traditionally been disproportionately underfunded by the philanthropic sector.
- Organizations may apply for a Community Grant, or Children & Youth Grant, in the same year, but applications must be for different projects.
Eligible Costs
A Major Capital Grant covers costs for a specific purpose associated with capital which is defined as diverse types of infrastructure, including renovations, new builds, and natural landscape. The most common costs covered are for equipment and supplies, construction and renovation, administration, etc.
For examples of recently approved projects, visit our Recent Grants page.
What we do not support
- A Major Capital Grant will not cover initial project costs or preliminary planning and development for the project, such as drawings or estimates.
- Project expenses incurred before the grant decision.
- Annual fundraising campaigns, fundraising positions, annual fundraising events, and finder’s fees/contingent fees for fundraising consultants.
- Paying down mortgages or reducing deficits
How to Apply
There is a two-stage application process for Major Capital Grants. Stage 1 of the Major Capital Grant application will open on Thursday, April 2.
Log in here to access the application.
Applications must be submitted using our grant portal. Emailed applications and supporting documents will not be accepted. The deadline is firm – Late applications will not be accepted.
Stage 1 Application due by May 1, 2026, 12:00 p.m. (noon)
- Project summary, start and end date of your project, amount requested, alignment with strategic priorities, project timing, project budget and any helpful documents (See Application Check List)
- Stage 1 applications that meet The Foundation’s eligibility criteria and costs, as well as alignment with strategic priorities, will be invited to submit a Stage 2 application.
Stage 2 Application (by invitation) due by June 26, 2026, at 12:00 (noon)
Required information includes:
- Community served
- Implementation plan
- Community engagement & accountability
- Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- Qualifications of the Board, staff, and volunteers
- Measurable project outcomes
- Updated budget with more details
- Required financial documents and other supportive documents (See Application Checklist)
Troubleshooting
If you need technical assistance, or require support while completing your application, please:
- Visit our FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) Section on the grant portal – (Found on the home page when logging into the grant portal.) It contains information to help navigate the grant portal.
- Send us an Email – grants@wpgfdn.org.
- Register for an in-person or virtual Information Session.
Content Questions and Consults
Applicants can email with any application-specific questions before the final week leading up to the deadline. During the last week, our team will be available exclusively for technical support.
Support will be limited on the morning of Friday, May 1, 2026, due to the anticipated high volume of requests on the deadline day. We encourage organizations to start their application early to avoid issues with submission.
Application Checklist
For Stage 1 of the Major Capital application:
- Check “Action Items” on your grant portal home page for any outstanding Major Capital Grant final reports. Submit any outstanding final report(s) from approved Major Capital Grants before the grant intake deadline.
- Update your organizational profile including your contact list to ensure the information is current. To help you navigate the grant portal, please review the FAQ section on the home page.
- Gather helpful documents that support your application:
- Quotes from external providers, one quote is acceptable
- Most recent audited financial statements
- Approved operating budget for the current fiscal year
- Design documents (if applicable)
- Lease agreement documentation (if applicable)
Submit your stage 1 application, including the required documents, before the grant deadline on Friday, May 1, 2026, at 12:00 (noon)
For Stage 2 of the Major Capital application:
- Letter(s) of support from a non profit or charitable community partner
- List of board members
- Most recent annual report (optional but appreciated)
- Capital campaign materials (if applicable)
Submit your stage 2 application, including the required documents, before the grant deadline on Friday, June 26, 2026 at 12:00 (noon)
