Health, Wellness & RecreationThe Foundation announces $5.27 million in strategic new grants at annual celebration.
Winnipeg’s mental health, addictions and community safety challenges are complicated and inter-connected. In January, organizations working in these areas learned they would receive $5.27 million in strategic new grants support from The Winnipeg Foundation.
Mental health and addictions are often linked to inequality, poverty, and colonialism, and can also lead to concerns over community safety. While The Foundation has long supported prevention, the situation our community faces calls for a more immediate and coordinated effort. Based on feedback from the charitable sector and community leaders through focus groups and ongoing conversations, The Foundation developed a strategic response falling under four pillars: Prevention, Crisis Intervention, Treatment and Post-Treatment.
“This approach has given The Foundation the opportunity to collaborate with other organizations serving the City in the areas of mental health, addictions and neighbourhood safety in our community,” says Doneta Brotchie, The Winnipeg Foundation’s Board Chair. “The Foundation’s strategy aims to augment and enhance existing services provided by frontline organizations, and also to invest in long-term treatment and recovery facilities, to help address these urgent community issues.”
“We know this investment will not eliminate mental health and addictions challenges in our community, nor will it address every neighbourhood safety issue, however we are confident this strategy will better equip the organizations dealing directly with their pressing community issues,” Brotchie adds. “As a community, we must work together.”
“When we consulted with front-line service providers, they told us about the hurdles they face when addressing the challenging demands placed on them daily,” says Megan Tate, The Foundation’s Director of Community Grants. “We are optimistic this support will help them address these new demands.”
The funds were announced during The Foundation’s Annual Celebration, held Jan. 8 at the Spence Neighbourhood Association Magnus Eliason Recreation Centre, which was a recipient of one of the grants. See next page for grant details.
“As a community, we must work together.”
Doneta Brotchie, The Winnipeg Foundation Board Chair
Mental health, addictions and community safety grants
On Jan. 8, 2020, The Winnipeg Foundation announced $5.27 million in new grants support for mental health, addictions and community safety programming. This strategic response falls under four pillars: Prevention, Crisis Intervention, Treatment and Post-Treatment.
| Organization | Grant amount | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Main Street Project | $750,000 | • Crisis Intervention. • $500,000 capital support; $50,000/year for five years operating support. |
| Bruce Oake Recovery Centre | $750,000 | • Treatment. • $500,000 capital support; $50,000/year for five years operating support. |
| St. Boniface Hospital | $100,000 | • Treatment. • Capital support for the McEwen Building, to provide a better healing environment for those seeking treatment for mental illness. |
| Dakota Ojibway Child and Family Services* | $500,000 | • Treatment and Post-Treatment. • Support for families struggling with addiction who are engaged with the child welfare system. |
| Tamarack Recovery Centre* | $1,754,171 | • Treatment and Post-Treatment. • Capital and programming support. |
| St. Raphael Wellness Centre* | $766,050 | • Post-Treatment. • Programming support. |
| TOTAL | $4,620,221 | * Supported by the Moffat Family Fund, a Donor-Advised Fund held at The Foundation. |
New support for front-line community organizations
As a responsive grant-maker, The Foundation typically funds specific programs and projects. However, these 12, one-time grants are unrestricted, acknowledging the organizations know best how to use the funds in the community and allowing them to be nimble in their responses.
| Organization | Grant Amount |
|---|---|
| 1 Just City | $75,000 |
| Bear Clan Patrol | $50,000 |
| Chalmers Neighbourhood Renewal Corporation | $50,000 |
| Ka Ni Kanichihk | $50,000 |
| Nine Circles Community Health Centre | $50,000 |
| North End Community Renewal Corporation | $50,000 |
| North Point Douglas Women’s Centre | $50,000 |
| Resource Assistance for Youth (RAY) | $50,000 |
| Spence Neighbourhood Association | $75,000 |
| Sunshine House | $50,000 |
| Thunderbird House | $50,000 |
| West Broadway Community Organization | $50,000 |
| TOTAL | $650,000 |
This story is featured in the Spring 2020 issue of our Working Together magazine. Download or view the full issue on our Publications page.