Strengthen Grant: Empowering Arts and Cultural Organizations (Canada)

Deadline: 10-May-2026

The Manitoba Arts Council (MAC) Strengthen Grant provides up to $5,000 to support projects that enhance the capacity, sustainability, and effectiveness of arts and cultural organizations. Funding focuses on organizational development, technology, leadership, safety, and accessibility.

Overview of the Strengthen Grant

The MAC Strengthen Grant is designed to help arts and cultural organizations reinforce their foundations, improve internal systems, and build long-term sustainability. By funding organizational development and capacity-building initiatives, the grant supports stronger, more resilient arts institutions in Manitoba.

Focus Areas and Objectives

The grant prioritizes projects that:

• Strengthen organizational capacity and long-term sustainability

• Support organizational development, including management practices, new models, and governance

• Fund capital and equipment purchases to meet strategic and practical needs

• Enhance safety, accessibility, and staff well-being

• Implement or update technology and equipment

• Encourage shared learning, networking, and mentorship opportunities

• Provide professional development to foster new leadership

Funding Details

• Grant Amount: Up to $5,000 per project

• Purpose: Support organizational development initiatives that improve capacity, efficiency, and resilience

• Eligible Costs: Capital and equipment purchases, technology upgrades, professional development, and organizational enhancement activities

Who Is Eligible?

• Professional not-for-profit arts organizations

• Professional for-profit arts organizations, such as book and periodical publishers

• Professional arts service organizations

• Community not-for-profit organizations with a mandate to support arts and culture in Manitoba

How to Apply / How It Works

1. Identify Project Needs: Determine areas of organizational development, technology upgrades, safety, accessibility, or leadership growth

2. Prepare Proposal: Include project objectives, expected outcomes, budget, and alignment with MAC grant priorities

3. Submit Application: Follow Manitoba Arts Council guidelines for the Strengthen Grant program

4. Grant Assessment: Applications evaluated on organizational impact, capacity-building outcomes, and strategic relevance

5. Funding Allocation: Approved projects receive up to $5,000 to implement initiatives that strengthen organizational effectiveness

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Submitting applications unrelated to capacity-building or organizational development

• Requesting funds for activities outside the grant’s focus areas

• Overlooking safety, accessibility, or leadership components in the project plan

• Failing to demonstrate clear outcomes and organizational impact

Why This Grant Matters

• Strengthens the infrastructure and sustainability of arts and cultural organizations

• Supports leadership development and professional growth

• Enhances safety, accessibility, and staff well-being

• Promotes adoption of new technologies and best practices

• Encourages collaboration, networking, and shared learning within the arts community

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Who can apply? Not-for-profit and for-profit arts organizations, professional arts service organizations, and community non-profits supporting arts and culture in Manitoba.
2. What is the maximum grant amount? $5,000 per project.
3. What types of projects are eligible? Organizational development, technology upgrades, leadership mentoring, safety and accessibility improvements, and capacity-building initiatives.
4. Can the grant fund capital purchases? Yes, capital and equipment purchases aligned with organizational objectives are eligible.
5. Does the project need to include professional development? Professional development and mentorship are strongly encouraged to support leadership growth.
6. How is impact evaluated? Based on organizational strengthening, strategic relevance, and measurable capacity-building outcomes.
7. Can small community organizations apply? Yes, provided they have a mandate to support arts and culture in Manitoba.

Conclusion

The MAC Strengthen Grant empowers arts and cultural organizations to invest in their capacity, resilience, and leadership, supporting initiatives that improve efficiency, accessibility, safety, and long-term sustainability. By funding strategic projects, the grant helps organizations thrive and strengthen Manitoba’s cultural ecosystem.

For more information, visit Manitoba Arts Council.