Community Services

24/7 Safe Space Grant Program

Aligned with the recommendations of the 2019 report of the Illicit Drug Task Force, the 24/7 Safe Space Grant Program has been established to expand services for priority populations in Winnipeg, by offering 24/7 safe environments that foster positive relationships in neighbourhoods where most needed.

This Program is intended to provide core funding to successful applicants for four years. Each year, up to $250,000 in total funding is to be allocated to successful Program applicants identified in the first year of the Program (2020).

Individual Program applicants may be approved for funding of up to $75,000 per application, per year for four years, while applications with two or more partnering agencies may be approved for up to $175,000 per application, per year for four years. For exceptional partnership applications, the entirety of the $250,000, per year for four years, could be awarded.

Eligibility Criteria

Program applicants are required to meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Program applicants must be an incorporated community organization.
• Funded activities must take place in the City of Winnipeg.

Application Criteria

Program applicants must demonstrate how they meet the following application criteria:

• Applicants must demonstrate how they will use grant funding to support at least one of the following:
• Expand hours of service to provide full 24/7 safe space services
• Enhance existing 24/7 safe space service operations
• Create a new 24/7 safe space service in partnership with one or more partnering agencies.

• Applicants must demonstrate how they satisfy at least one of the following:
• Provide services 24 hours a day
• Provide services in the winter, specifically between November and March
• Identify as an Indigenous organization or provide Indigenous-led services
• Offer a harm reduction and trauma-informed approach to service
• Hire and retain staff within the organization that have lived experience
• Provide access to on-site mental health and/or addiction support services
• Expand areas of expertise or services to enhance mental health and/or addiction supports for clients

• Applicants must demonstrate how they will directly support at least one, of the following priority populations:
• Indigenous people
• Women
• People who use drugs
• Youth
• 2SLGBTQ+
• Sexually exploited girls and women

• Applicants must demonstrate how they align with End Homelessness Winnipeg’s 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness.

Reporting Requirements

Within 60 days of the conclusion of each calendar year that the Program is operational, grantees are required to provide a progress report to the City of Winnipeg submitted to the grant agreement contract administrator, with the following information:

• A statement outlining the use of grant monies including activities and operations conducted.
• A summary of participation rates, including:
• The approximate number of Winnipeg citizens served by the activity
• The number of monthly visits
• The number of individuals served by priority population
• Any observable positive outcomes and impacts that reflect successful implementation of the funded activity;
• Any lessons learned by the organization in developing and implementing the funded activity;
• An overview of activity and operation plans for the following year, including any changes from the preceding year to implement the sustainability plan (as described below); and 
• Other reporting as requested by the City of Winnipeg.

It is important to note that successful Program grant applicants are not required to reapply each year. However, grantees are subject to the annual reporting requirements noted above. If the grantee is unable to meet the requirements of their funding agreement, this could result in an operational review and possible termination of funding.

In addition to the above, following the first year of the Program, grantees are required to submit to the grant agreement contract administrator a sustainability plan for the conclusion of grant funding in 2023. This plan must either identify the continuation of services developed through the Program, or a planned reduction in services as funding ends. No additional funding for this grant is planned for after the 2023 calendar year.

Application Submission and Deadline

Questions related to the application process can be directed to Danielle Gould at DGould@winnipeg.ca.

Please return the completed Application Form (Updated July 14, 2020) on or prior to July 31, 2020.

• Email: DGould@winnipeg.ca
• Mail:
  Attention Danielle Gould
  24/7 Safe Space Grant Program
  Community Services Department
  7th Floor, 395 Main St.
  Winnipeg, MB R3B 3N8
  

PLEASE NOTE:
All 2020 Program applications will be evaluated in August 2020 by a Program Award Selection Committee.

Only applicants who have been approved for funding will be notified in writing. Any approved funds may be subject to the applicant and the City entering into an agreement setting out the terms and conditions of such funding.