FAQs

A community foundation is a charitable organization that manages and invests gifts from individuals, families and other organizations. The interest earned on the gifts provides for the community through grants. There are more than 190 community foundations across Canada.

The Winnipeg Foundation, Canada’s first community foundation (established 1921), is a collection of endowment funds established by donors from all walks of life. Funds are pooled and invested with the income distributed as grants to registered charitable organizations that primarily benefit the citizens of Winnipeg.

The Foundation does not review applications or decide who receives awards.

High school students should consult their guidance counsellor or student services staff about awards available to them. Post-secondary students should consult the Awards and Financial Aid office at their college or university.

Other awards – such as sports scholarships, professional development support and music awards – are generally publicized by the sponsoring organization or association.

Present your award letter to the Student Aid and Awards office at the post-secondary school where you are registered. They will apply the award amount towards your tuition and invoice The Winnipeg Foundation. The amount will go directly into your student account at your school. If you are having trouble, contact the Student Awards Team at 204-944-9474 (toll-free 1-877-974-3631) or email.

The Foundation will work with your post-secondary school on your behalf to arrange payment. If payment cannot be processed this way, you will need to provide The Foundation with proof of registration; a cheque will be issued directly to you. To arrange payment, contact the Student Awards Team at 204-944-9474 (toll-free 1-877-974-3631) or email.

Generally, you can submit a written request to The Winnipeg Foundation to defer your award for one year. Some awards cannot be deferred; contact us to find out the conditions of your award. To defer your award or get more information, contact the Student Awards Team at 204-944-9474 (toll-free 1-877-974-3631) or email.

Most awards will be pro-rated based on credit hours. This means you can still claim the award but not the full amount. For example, if you are taking 60% of a full course load, you will receive 60% of the award amount. The remainder will not be carried forward. For more information, contact the Student Awards Team at 204-944-9474 (toll-free 1-877-974-3631) or email.

The Winnipeg Foundation values your privacy and uses a variety of security measures to protect your personal information. If you have any questions, please contact The Foundation at 204-944-9474 (toll-free 1-877-974-3631) or email.

After your gift is processed your tax receipt will be sent to you by email. To ensure your electronic charitable receipt is delivered to your email address, add our email address – info@nullwpgfdn.org – to your “Safe Senders” list.

You can make a gift with a credit card through The Winnipeg Foundation’s online donation site. The amount will be in Canadian dollars and you will receive a Canadian tax receipt.

The Winnipeg Foundation is also able to accept gifts in U.S. dollars. If you would like to make a gift in U.S. funds and receive an American tax receipt, please see Winnipeg Foundation USA [PDF].

The Winnipeg Foundation respects its donors regarding the collection, use and disclosure of donors’ personal information. As a regular course of our business, donor names may be listed in online and printed publications, unless you advise us you prefer to remain anonymous.

Donors are also welcome to make their gift anonymously. When you make your gift, select either the “Yes” or “No” option below the statement “I would like my gift to be anonymous. For further information please see our Privacy Policy.”

As part of The Foundation’s commitment to be transparent, our publications are sent to donors every year. Donors can also expect to receive E-veryday Philanthropy, the Foundation’s e-newsletter, throughout the year with information on recent projects, grants, special events and opportunities related to The Foundation.

Donors can choose not to receive these publications and emails. When you make your gift, select either the “Yes” or “No” option below the statement “I would like to receive periodic communications from The Winnipeg Foundation, including but not limited to our publications, email updates, special notifications (ie. invitations to events).”