A message from the CEO: Strengthening capacity in our community

Spring is often identified as a time of new beginnings and Mother Earth’s annual renewal. For The Winnipeg Foundation, this season is often a time of review and assessment and planning for the year ahead. We are into the second half of our Strategic Plan, and under that plan, many of our Community Impact granting programs are offering us a closer look at what approaches are most effective for the community we serve, and where might we need to further refine our offerings.

One of the programs that the sector had been asking for was a consistent source of year-over-year funding to help organizations stabilize and be able to do more long-term planning. This is where The Foundation’s Multi-Year granting stream is having a lasting and positive effect in our community.

The Multi-Year Grants program aims to strengthen the capacity of our community partners, enhance well-being in the charitable sector, and ensure that at least 50% of the grant recipients are led by individuals from the underrepresented communities they serve, also known as “equity-led” organizations. Supporting equity-led organizations aligns well with one of The Foundation’s strategic goals which is to ‘increase equity in the philanthropic sector for the communities that have not benefited equitably from grants and gifts.’ This approach also aligns with one of our values as an organization which is equity – to identify, acknowledge and help remove systemic barriers so everyone in our community can thrive.

We are happy to share that 37 organizations were recently approved for Multi-Year Grants, totalling at $4,261,945 million per year ($17.0 million over four years). Projects were approved between $25,000 to $150,000 per year of flexible funding until 2028. Flexible funding to us means the grants may be used at an organization’s discretion to fulfil its mission, mandate, and strategic plan. You can read more about some of these multi-year grants in this issue of the magazine and on our website This issue of Working Together also takes a closer look at the C.A.R.E. (Community Area for Revitalization and Equity) area and its residents, as identified in The Foundation’s Strategic Plan. As we further our work in this part of our city, we are listening and learning together with its residents and supporting their community-building plans for their neighbourhood, helping to ensure ‘a Winnipeg where community life flourishes for all.’ We hope you enjoy the stories of those who love our city and work hard to connect us all to a place of well-being.

SKY BRIDGES ICD.D | PRESIDENT AND CEO