Request for proposals
Oshki Annishinabe Nigaaniwak, the City of Winnipeg’s Indigenous Youth Strategy (“the Grant Program”) was adopted by Winnipeg City Council in 2008 and has provided grant funding to community-based organizations serving Indigenous youth in Winnipeg. Since then, the Grant Program has supported urban youth programs and services aligned to the focus areas of (i) employment and employment development; (ii) physical, culture, and leisure; (iii) literacy and lifelong learning; and (iv) community connections.
This Request for Proposals process invites applications from community-based organizations that respond to the needs and priorities of urban Indigenous youth in Winnipeg, and is aligned to the focus areas of the Grant Program, and the priorities identified in the Final Reports of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirited peoples.
Funding proposals will be evaluated and selected giving preference to urban Indigenous-led non-profit/registered charity organizations in Winnipeg with Indigenous representation defined as:
- A minimum of 75% of the organization’s board members (governing body) are Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, Inuit), and
- A minimum of 75% of the organization’s employees are Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, Inuit).
Available funding
- Existing and ongoing available grant funding remains subject to Council approval, through the City of Winnipeg's multi-year (2024-2027) budget process and annually thereafter.
- If approved by Council, multi-year grant funding would be allocated annually for the 4-year period: January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2027. The total amount of annual grant funding available would be $850,000.
- An applicant may submit a funding request for an annual amount between $50,000 - $850,000.
- An applicant may submit up to two (2) individual proposals involving two (2) separate projects; or an applicant may submit up to two (2) individual proposals for the same or similar projects for the purpose of identifying two different implementation and expenditures scenarios.
Funding eligibility
- Funding applicants must be organized as a Non-Profit (Manitoba) or as a Registered Charity as identified in the group’s governing documents.
- Funded activities must directly include and impact urban Indigenous youth (First Nations, Métis, Inuit), residing in Winnipeg, and between the ages of 15 – 30.
- Charity/Non-Charity partnerships are eligible where: (i) the Registered Charity retains direction and control of the grant funding; and (ii) the activities of the Non-Charity must align with and advance the Registered Charity’s mandate. Non-charity partners are defined for the purpose of this Grant Program as grassroots or community connected groups.
Funding proposal applications
- Proposal applications must identify and demonstrate that funded activities are aligned to:
- One or more of the four broad focus areas of the Grant Program: (i) employment and employment development; (ii) physical, culture, and leisure; (iii) literacy and lifelong learning; and/or (iv) community connections; and
- The final reports of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and/or Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirited peoples.
- Proposal applications clearly define project/program activities, purpose, objective(s), and targeted outcomes.
- Proposal applications include an attached activity budget sheet in an amount between $50,000 to $850,000, annually.
- That the applicant identifies:
- If they are a community-based non-profit organization or registered charity organization, that is Indigenous-led (75% governance, 75% employees).
- If they are a community-based non-profit organization, that is NOT Indigenous-led, but having established Indigenous relationships or associations acceptable to the community for delivering culturally appropriate programs, services, and supports for urban indigenous youth in Winnipeg.
Proposal review process and timelines
All 2024-2027 Oshki Annishinabe Nigaaniwak Grant Program applications will be evaluated by a review committee.
- June 19, 2023 – Request for proposal process opens
- July 21, 2023 – Request for proposals closes, final date to email applications
- August, 2023 – Proposal review and evaluation period
Funding proposal applications evaluated and selected to receive annual Oshki Annishinabe Nigaaniwak grant funding for the period January 1, 2024 – December 31, 2027, will be submitted to City Council in the form of a funding recommendation, subject to Council approval during the City of Winnipeg’s 2024-27 multi-year budget process, commencing later in 2023.
All approved grantees will be subject to entering into an agreement with the City of Winnipeg setting the terms and conditions of such funding, and after submitting required supporting documentation where requested.
Application form
Application Deadline – July 21, 2023
Please return the completed Application by July 21, 2023 by email to indigenousrelations@winnipeg.ca
Or by physical mail addressed to:
City of Winnipeg
Indigenous Relations,
Susan A. Thompson Building
3rd Floor, 510 Main Street
Winnipeg MB R3B 1B