Community Services

Community Incentive Grant Program (CIGP)

The Community Incentive Grant Program is designed to encourage non-profit community organizations to undertake improvements or purchase capital assets that are available for public use or will enhance public use of a space or facility.

Applicant eligibility

Non-profit community organizations that contribute to the health and well-being of the community are eligible to apply for CIGP funding. For the purposes of this grant, the definition of a non-profit organization shall be: "a corporation or an association that conducts business for the benefit of the general public without shareholders and without a profit motive. Any profit that is made is used to further the goals or undertaking of the organization. Profits must not be used by the individuals involved for their own personal financial gain".

Eligibility Criteria

Any project that fits the following criteria is eligible for funding:

• The applying organization is a non-profit community organization that contributes to the health and well-being of the community
• The project is a capital improvement or the purchase of a capital asset that will be retained for more than one year
• The project is available for public use or will enhance public use of the space or facility
• Project will be initiated within two years of award and substantially completed within five years of award
• Total City of Winnipeg contribution is 50% or less of the total project costs

Do not assume the application is approved until notified in writing. Expenditures incurred before the project approval is received may be ineligible for reimbursement.

Application procedure

Submit the Community Incentive Grant Application (Part A and Part B), along with required supporting documentation to:

Community Incentive Grant Program
7th Floor – 395 Main Street
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 3N8
Email: cigpadministration@winnipeg.ca

Please refer to the CIGP Application Guide for details. Note: incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

Applications are accepted year-round. Applications are reviewed, evaluated and forwarded to the relevant Ward Councillor and the Director of the Community Services Department.

Please note that projects must be initiated within two years of award and substantially completed within five years of award or the grant may be rescinded. As a result, applicants should be considering the funding timeframe relative to the project completion date prior to submitting the application. For large construction/renovation projects, it is recommended that organizations contact the CIGP Grant Administrator for assistance in assessing when to apply.

Approval process

1. The CIGP Administration Office will refer all eligible applications to the Ward Councillor where the proposed project is to be located. Once approved, the Director of Community Services has the final authority to approve eligible applications.
2. When applications do not meet criteria, an Administrative Report is forwarded to the Community Committee. The Administrative Report will recommend that the criteria be waived or that the application be denied.
3. The Administrative Report will move from the Community Committee through to the Standing Policy Committee on Community Services, Executive Policy Committee, and Council.
4. All applicants will be notified in writing concerning the final decision of the Director of the Community Services Department and, if applicable, Council.

Approval Process Flow Chart

Ineligible Costs

The following expenses are not eligible for reimbursement:

• Expenses for project sponsor employees and operations
• Feasibility studies
• Consulting/engineering fees
• Legal fees
• Financing charges
• Shipping fees
• Costs related to fundraising activities, advertising, promotions, on-going maintenance, meals, or travel

Additional information

Upon approval, an initial in-person or phone meeting with the City of Winnipeg CIGP Grant Administrator may be required to review project-specific conditions for funding and additional requirements necessary in order to access the grant.

Note: approved applicants are required to enter into a contractual funding agreement with the City of Winnipeg. It is strongly recommended that applicants do not start work on the project until the CIGP Grant Administrator has confirmed that all of the grant requirements have been met and the funding agreement has been executed.

The Community Incentive Grant Program operates on a reimbursement basis. As a result, the applicant will be required to first pay for the project, or some portion of it, and then submit a request for reimbursement for a portion of those payments in accordance with the following:

• The funding agreement must be executed prior to any reimbursement of expenditures.
• The applicant/project sponsor must pay for the project, or some portion of it, before applying for reimbursement (progress claim) of 50% of the expenditure. As a result, applicants may need to consider arranging for interim financing.
• Invoices and proof of payment for the expenditure must be included with the progress claim request. Upon receipt, 50% of eligible expenses will be reimbursed.
• The City of Winnipeg retains a 7.5% holdback on each construction-related progress claim. When the project is complete, these holdback funds are released to the project sponsor. To release the funds the project sponsor is required to provide a certificate of total or substantial completion, and/or written confirmation that the project is complete following a final inspection performed by a designated official and there are no deficiencies.

Questions?

Please refer to the CIGP Application Guide for help completing the application and submission requirements.

For clarification or assistance, contact the CIGP Administration Office at 204-986-2216.