Archived News Releases

Province Provides Multi-year Funding, Further Expands Eligibility, Reduces Red Tape for Manitoba Non-profits

The Manitoba government is helping an additional 58 non-profit organizations better achieve stable funding and avoid red tape, allowing them to concentrate their efforts on delivering important services that enhance the quality of life for Manitobans, Family Services Minister Kerri Irvin-Ross announced today.

“Non-profit organizations provide numerous valuable services that support and strengthen individuals, families and our entire community,” Minister Irvin-Ross said.  “By providing organizations with the opportunity for multi-year funding, we are making it easier for them to put more of their efforts toward continuing to provide important services that benefit Manitobans of all ages and from all walks of life.”

Phase 1 of the non-profit (NPO) strategy was launched as a pilot project in 2011, helping more than 100 community organizations deliver services in such important areas as community health, neighbourhood renewal, and arts and culture, Minister Irvin-Ross said.  Phase 2 followed in August 2015, expanding the program’s benefits to an additional 10 organizations.

Today’s announcement reflects further expansion of Phase 2 of the project, which allowed NPOs that receive funding from one or more provincial department to apply for multi-year funding.  The majority of the NPOs that applied for the Phase 2 expansion were small, many with five or fewer employees.  These organizations will benefit the most from the NPO strategy through the reduction of administrative red tape, increased staff retention and the security provided by multi-year funding, Minister Irvin-Ross said.

“Our network knows that community-based organizations take comprehensive approaches to reducing poverty, working toward environmental sustainability and increasing community economic development and we’re excited to see this initiative move forward," said Sarah Leeson-Klym, Manitoba regional director, Canadian Community Economic Development Network.  “We had input on the NPO strategy and the stable, long-term funding will allow organizations to focus on the impacts they make in communities.”

“As a non-profit organization, it is important for us to have multi-year funding because it allows us to provide employment, nutrition and settlement programs to newly arrived immigrants so they can succeed as they transition into their new home in Manitoba,” said Jorgé Fernandez, executive director, Immigrant Centre Manitoba.

“For 25 years, Urban Circle Training Centre Inc. has been providing training and employment opportunities to over 130 Aboriginal women, men and youth annually, a large majority of whom are able to move off social assistance and secure sustainable employment for themselves and their families,” said Haven Stumpf, director of operations, Urban Circle.  “The Manitoba government’s multi-year funding agreement initiative has made all the difference to our organization’s ability to meet the needs of our community and we applaud the announcement today of the expansion of this program.”