Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Community Incentive Grant Program (C.I.G.P.)?
Who can apply?
What is the selection criteria?
Does everyone get approved?
What are the financial limits of the grant?
How does the grant work?
How is the grant paid out?
What are ineligible costs?
What are the additional requirments?
What is the Community Incentive Grant Program (C.I.G.P.)?
The C.I.G.P. is designed to encourage non-profit community recreation and sport organizations to undertake capital
projects which will result in long-term benefits to the community at large in terms of new facilities.
Who can apply?
Eligible applicants include non-profit community recreation and sport organizations and non-profit organizations providing recreation services to a given neighbourhood or community within the boundaries of the City of Winnipeg. Organizations created solely to apply for this program are not eligible.
What is the selection criteria?
❏ Organization is a non-profit community organization.
❏ Organization offers sport or recreation services or contributes to the health and well-being of the community.
❏ Organization is developing a sport or recreation capital project.
❏ Project is and must remain accessible to the community.
❏ Project must provide long-term benefit to the community at large in terms of new facilities.
❏ Project must not compete with or duplicate existing facilities.
❏ Applicant must provide confirmation of sufficient resources to maintain and operate the completed project.
❏ Application must articulate plans, specifications and project requirements.
❏ Project must be feasible within the project management capabilities of the applicant.
❏ Applicant’s 50% matching funds must not include other City funds.
Does everyone get approved?
Applicants are evaluated using the selection criteria (see above). As funding is limited, not all projects which meet the criteria will be approved.
Applicants should not assume approval of their application until notified in writing. Expenditures incurred before the project approval is received may be ineligible for reimbursement.
What are the financial limits of the grant?
The C.I.G.P. can contribute up to 50% of the project costs to a maximum of $225,000 per project. This is on a one-time basis only. Applicants are required to show proof of their 50% matching funds before the grant is paid out.
Is there a deadline for applications?
Applications are accepted on a year-round basis. Once reviewed and evaluated, applications are forwarded to the relevant Community Committee for recommendation and approval.
How does the grant work?
If the application is approved, an initial meeting with the City of Winnipeg C.I.G.P. Administrator is required. The requirements and process for accessing the grant will be discussed in detail. Project sponsors are required to enter into a contractual funding agreement with the City of Winnipeg. Please do not start work on the project until the C.I.G.P. Administrator has confirmed that all of the grant requirements have been met and the funding agreement has been executed.
How is the grant paid out?
1. The funding agreement must be executed prior to any reimbursement of expenditures.
2. The project sponsor must pay for the project, or a portion of it, before applying for a reimbursement (progress claim) of 50% of the expenditure. Interim financing may need to be arranged.
3. Invoices and proof of payment for the expenditure must be included with the progress claim request.
4. The City retains a 7.5% holdback on progress claims. When the project is complete, these funds are released to the project sponsor.
What are ineligible costs?
Costs for project sponsor employees and operations; permits; feasibility studies; expenditures for equipment and furniture; legal fees; financing charges; costs related to fundraising activities, advertising, promotions, on-going maintenance, meals or travel.
What are the additional requirements?
Upon approval of funding from the Community Incentive Grant Program, the City of Winnipeg requires that the following conditions be met:
1. Final plans and specifications for all projects must be submitted to the City of Winnipeg for review and approval before any work is started on the project.
2. The project must proceed in accordance with the final plans and specifications as approved by the City of Winnipeg. Any revisions must receive prior approval from the City of Winnipeg. Changes which significantly alter the nature or intent of the project will be referred back to the Community Committee for consideration.
3. Upon completion of the project, a final inspection of the work will be carried out by the City of Winnipeg for projects completed on City-owned property.
4. Evidence of liability insurance, satisfactory to the City of Winnipeg Corporate Finance Department (Insurance Supervisor), must be provided for projects on City-owned property.
5. Periodic audited financial statements or other evidence satisfactory to the City Auditor may be required from all projects to verify that the project was undertaken as planned and that the funds were expended solely for the intended purpose. Project sponsors will not be funded for any costs reimbursable from other sources.
6. A formal agreement, satisfactory to the City Solicitor, is required prior to the start of construction, and prior to funds being reimbursed.
7. The applicant will be required to obtain all necessary permits, etc. and to comply with any and all applicable codes, regulations, etc.
8. Any works undertaken on City-owned property become the property of the City of Winnipeg.
9. The applicant will be required to adhere to all City of Winnipeg policies and procedures presently in place, or which may come to being, regarding the operation of the type of facility for which this grant is provided. (e.g. Fees and Charges Policy).
10. Projects must be initiated within one year of the approval date and completed within three years of the approval date.
