Investing in Our Communities - Grant Programs

 

Small Capital Grants and Special Initiatives Program

The Small Capital and Special Initiative 2023/24 intake is now closed and is no longer accepting applications.

**ALL APPLICATIONS WILL RECEIVE A CONFIRMATION EMAIL WITHIN 1 WEEK FROM SUBMISSION. PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOU KEEP THIS CONFIRMATION EMAIL FOR YOUR RECORDS. IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE A CONFIRMATION EMAIL WITHIN 1 WEEK, PLEASE CONTACT THE ACSC PROGRAM TEAM AT ACSC@GOV.MB.CA

 

How to apply

Submit a completed application form and supporting documents to acsc@gov.mb.ca

 

Arts, Culture and Sport in Community Fund

The Manitoba government's Arts, Culture and Sport in Community (ACSC) fund provides grants to support the arts, culture (heritage, public libraries, and ethnocultural organizations) and amateur sport sectors, enhancing Manitobans' opportunities to access quality programming and facilities in their own community.

 


General Information

 

Purpose

The ACSC Small Capital Grants and Special Initiatives Program will strengthen the arts, culture, and sport sectors, enhance their ability to bring Manitobans together and contribute to thriving sustainable communities; and support the development and renewal of the facilities and spaces needed for arts, culture, and sport programming and activities.

 

Objectives
  • To support the arts, culture and amateur sport sectors and enhance their contributions to Manitobans
  • To support the development and renewal of facilities and spaces needed for arts, culture and amateur sport sector programming and activity
  • To support opportunities for Manitobans to celebrate and share their unique culture and community
  • To support projects that will help strengthen arts, culture and amateur sport organizations; enhance their ability to engage a diverse population; and contribute to vibrant and healthy communities

 

Desired Outcomes
  • Manitoba's arts, culture and sport sectors are able to innovate and respond to emerging community needs.
  • Manitobans have increased access to arts, culture and sport programming and activities in their communities.
  • Manitobans have high quality and modern facilities within their communities to engage in arts, culture and sport activity and programming.
  • Manitobans have opportunities to learn about and celebrate their unique heritage, culture, and communities.

 

Eligible Applicants

All eligible organizations must:

  • have been incorporated as a non-profit within Canada or Manitoba for a minimum of one year; have had registered charitable status under Canada Revenue Agency for a minimum of one-year; or must be established as a Public Library under the Public Libraries Act; and
  • have established operations in Manitoba.

Eligible organizations include:

  • non-profit organizations and associations with a mandate to serve the arts, heritage or amateur sport
  • non-profit ethnocultural and Indigenous community organizations engaged in the protection, promotion, education or appreciation of shared language, tradition, heritage, and/or culture
  • public libraries
  • Crown corporations and Crown Agencies with a mandate to serve the arts, culture and sport sectors
  • Support may also be provided to non-profit organizations who are implementing projects or programs that advance arts, culture, sport or heritage goals and initiatives.

 

Ineligible Applicants
  • For-profit entities
  • Individuals
  • Unincorporated organizations
  • Public institutions (e.g. universities, colleges, school boards, hospitals)
  • Recreation commissions or associations, non-profit community centres and community clubs, and golf courses
  • Organizations whose primary purpose is to deliver grants, awards or other funding
  • Municipalities, First Nations, local authorities such as planning districts, Métis locals, and Northern Affairs Community Councils

 


Small Capital

 

Eligible Facilities

Eligible Small Capital Projects must be in facilities that:

  • are located within Manitoba
  • are open to the general public
  • are used for arts, culture or sports programming and/or activity
  • are owned by an eligible applicant; or
  • are leased by an eligible applicant (provided applicant has a lease that extends more than five years past project completion*)
    • These sites are eligible for development or renewal of programming space and facilities.
    • Projects related to the building envelope (exterior walls, roof, etc.) are not eligible for funding.

* Applicants that do not own their facilities are required to provide proof of lease agreement (or confirmation from the municipal or provincial authority) and written permission from the owner for the work that is taking place.

 

Ineligible Facilities

Including but not limited to:

  • facilities whose primary function is as a place of assembly for religious purposes/worship (e.g. church, mosque, synagogue, temple, chapel, shrine, etc.). Community spaces within a religious facility may be considered if used primarily for purposes that advance the objectives of ACSC.
  • private residential or group housing projects
  • projects related to facilities regulated under The Liquor and Gaming Control Act

 

Eligible Projects may include
  • Capital projects that support the development and renewal of facilities and spaces needed for arts, culture and sport sector programming and activity
  • Acquisition of specialized equipment needed for arts, culture and sport sector programming and activity
  • Planning, feasibility and facility assessment projects intended to lead to capital work
  • Design and production of major permanent interpretive installations including exhibitions or outdoor interpretive signage; heritage projects with a grant request under $10,000 should seek funding from the Heritage Grants Program.

 

Ineligible Projects:

Including but not limited to:

  • development or renovations to the physical envelope (exterior walls, roof, etc.) of buildings not owned by the applicant
  • military memorials creation or conservation *Military Memorial projects must apply to the Military Memorials Conservation Program

 


Special Initiatives

 

Eligible Special Initiatives must
  • be located within Manitoba
  • be available to the general public
  • advance arts, culture and sports programming and activity

Including but not limited to:

  • planning, training or other activities that support the development of leadership and organizational capacity
  • new arts, culture or sport initiatives or programs
  • pilot projects
  • special initiatives designed to expand or enhance existing services or programming
  • acquisition of moveable equipment, furniture and technology
  • planning, feasibility and facility assessment projects

 

Ineligible Special Initiatives:

Including but not limited to:

  • fundraising or fundraising events (fundraising plan development would be considered)
  • projects related to gaming activity regulated under The Liquor and Gaming Control Act
  • ongoing programs (that have existed more than three years)
  • religious activities or programs
  • core or essential municipal, provincial, federal projects or programs and services that are the responsibility of a municipal, provincial or federal body; projects or programs that receive regular, budgeted provincial or federal support (e.g. hospitals, medical facilities, long-term care facilities, schools and day cares); projects that are linked to the delivery of core education, or health and social services programs, delivered through provincial or federal governments

 


Small Capital & Special Initiatives
Additional Information

 

Eligible Costs

All costs, incurred on or after April 1, 2023, directly related to the completion of an eligible project, excluding those identified under ineligible costs. Expenses incurred before notification of a successful application are undertaken at the applicant's risk.

NOTE: The applicant must demonstrate that it has (or how it will acquire) the resources to complete the project. Applicant budgets may include the following funding types:

  • self-generated revenues/funds on hand, federal or local government contributions, grants, donations, fundraising and sponsorships
  • In-kind contributions: volunteer labour, donated materials, loaned equipment
    • In-kind contributions are eligible project costs/revenues and can be used toward the applicant's contribution, but are not eligible for provincial ACSC funding.
Ineligible Costs

Include but are not limited to:

  • ongoing operating or programming costs not directly related to the small capital project or special initiative, or the costs of regularly scheduled maintenance work
  • costs related to religious activities or programs, and/or lobbying activities
  • salaries and other employment benefits of any employees of the applicant or their partners that are not directly related to the delivery of the project, and approved in advance by Manitoba
  • financing charges, loan costs, debt reduction, legal fees and loan interest payments
  • catering or other expenses associated with ribbon cuttings or other events
  • costs for purchasing equipment and furnishings that do not remain with the applicant
  • costs incurred for cancelled projects
  • land acquisition and related costs
  • leasing land, buildings and other facilities, leasing equipment other than equipment directly related to the project, real estate fees and related costs
  • food and travel expenses beyond Manitoba government guidelines; out-of-province travel expenditures unless required expertise is unavailable in Manitoba

 

Assessment Criteria
  • Project feasibility
  • Impact on organization, sector and community
  • Impact on principles of access, inclusion and diversity
  • Alignment with Government goals, priorities, and objectives
  • Sustainability - Environmental and/or Organizational (ability to manage long-term operations)
  • Project's ability to enhance programming, increase participation, and improve organization's ability to meet best practices within the sector
  • Project's alignment with municipality's cultural/community development plan goals; department goals and provincial policies (balanced scorecards, culture policy, green building, Indigenous consultation, accessibility standards and safety standards)

Applications will be reviewed and assessed by department officials in consultation with other experts as needed. Available funds will be awarded based on the criteria above.

Incomplete applications cannot be assessed.

 

Provincial Contribution

For projects with total eligible expenses of:

  • up to $25,000: ACSC will provide a provincial contribution of up to 100% of the eligible project costs
  • between $25,000 and $50,000: ASCS will provide a maximum of $25,000
  • greater than $50,000: ACSC will provide up to 50% of eligible projects costs, to a maximum provincial contribution of $300,000

 

Payment Terms and conditions
  • Following project approval, a project contribution agreement will be signed between the applicant and the Manitoba government, outlining the terms and conditions.
  • Project contribution agreements will outline the terms, the acceptable use of funds, project end date, payment process and reporting requirements.
  • Eighty per cent of the approved funding will be provided upon signing the project contribution agreement.
  • The remaining balance of up to twenty per cent will be available following project completion and meeting all reporting requirements as described in the contribution agreement.
  • Applicants with any outstanding reporting requirements may be considered ineligible for future intakes until fulfilling the obligations within the contribution agreement.
  • All payments are subject to the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Manitoba duly appropriating the funds payable by the Manitoba government in each year they are to be paid.
  • Project funds may only be used for the purposes identified in the agreement. All surplus, ineligible, or unexpended grant funds are subject to recoupment by the Manitoba government.
  • All projects are subject to audit by the Manitoba government.

 

I have a question not covered here, can someone assist me?

If further assistance is required, please email acsc@gov.mb.ca or phone Manitoba Government Inquiry, 1-866 MANITOBA (626-4862)