Community Infrastructure Grants
Applications open August 4th
Western Communities Foundation is proud to support communities across Canada through its Infrastructure Grants Program, which invests in the enhancement, upgrade, and creation of community spaces and assets. These projects strengthen the future of communities by improving accessibility, sustainability, health and safety, and by creating spaces that bring people together. Through this program, the Foundation helps foster connections and supports the long-term resilience and vitality of the communities we serve.
One Program, Three Grant Streams
Our Infrastructure Grant Program offers three paths to building stronger communities.
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Community Infrastructure Grant
Open to all Canadian municipalities and communities, this grant supports projects that enhance local infrastructure, climate change resilience, accessibility and safety, and community well-being. -
Indigenous Infrastructure Grant
Introduced in 2021 as part of Western’s commitment to reconciliation, this stream supports up to five (5) infrastructure initiatives in Indigenous communities annually that promote cultural preservation, sustainability and social connection. -
AMM Infrastructure Grant
This stream, exclusive to Manitoba municipalities, honours our over 40-year partnership with the Association of Manitoba Municipalities (AMM). It supports projects that enhance public assets and services in the province. Each year, we provide up to five grants to help these communities bring their visions to life.
How to Apply
Information Session & Application Support
Learn more about the Community Infrastructure Grants Program, eligibility requirements, and application process. Join a live Information Session or watch the recording at your convenience*.
Monday, August 10 at 1pm MT
Thursday, August 20 at 9am MT
*A webinar recording will be posted following the session.
Important before you apply: The grant award amount is fixed at $5,000 CAD per project. Organizations may submit one application only, apply to one grant stream only, and must meet all eligibility requirements. The total project budget cannot exceed $500,000 CAD, including all phases where applicable.
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Eligibility
Review the eligibility criteria to learn about the types of organizations and projects that qualify for this grant.
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Online Application Forms
Please complete and submit your grant application by the application deadline indicated below. Organizations may apply through one grant stream only. Please select the stream that best fits your organization before completing the application.
Indigenous Infrastructure Grant
Indigenous groups recognized as registered charities or qualified donees by Canada Revenue Agency.
Application Deadline: September 7, 2026
Recipients Announced: September 29, 2026
AMM Infrastructure Grant
Members of the Association of Manitoba Municipalities (AMM).
Application Deadline: October 31, 2026
Recipients Announced: November 24, 2026
Community Infrastructure Grant
Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) registered charities or qualified donees.
Application Deadline: November 15, 2026
Recipients Announced: December 17, 2026
Eligibility
- Canadian charities or qualified donees registered with the CRA
- Organizations that operate in or serve communities where Western Financial Group has a presence.*
*Association of Manitoba Municipalities (AMM) Infrastructure Grant applicants must be current AMM members and are exempt from this requirement.
- Be located in Canada
- Be completed within 12 months of funding
- Have a total project cost of $500,000 or less
- Involve building, upgrading, enhancing, or renovating a community asset
- Be a publicly accessible community asset that is owned or operated by an organization providing programs and/or services to the broader community
Your project should also:
- Show clear community benefit and measurable outcomes
- Support one or more of the following areas:
- Strengthen climate resilience and adaptation
- Reduce disaster risks or improve emergency preparedness
- Advance accessibility, promote equity and foster inclusive spaces for all communities
Organizations
- For-profit businesses
- Social enterprises
- Individuals
- Political parties, campaigns, or candidates
- Non-profit organizations that are not registered charities with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)
Projects and Expenses
- Regular operating costs
- Retroactive funding
- Fundraising activities or campaigns
- Event sponsorships
- Religious activities or programs requiring participation in faith-based practices.
- Projects on private land with no public access
Selection Process
- Applications are reviewed by a selection committee
- A standardized evaluation rubric is used to ensure fairness and consistency
- Due to the volume of applications, only successful applicants will be contacted
Have questions? Email us at communitiesfoundation@westernfg.ca.
Frequently Asked Questions
General Information
The Infrastructure Grant Program provides fixed grants of $5,000 CAD to eligible Canadian registered charities and qualified donees for projects that improve, repair, enhance, or create community assets, facilities, equipment, infrastructure, or public spaces in communities served by Western Financial Group.
The application takes approximately 20-30 minutes to complete.
Visit the Western Communities Foundation Infrastructure Grants webpage for program information, eligibility requirements, key dates, and the online application form: Western Financial Group | Communities Foundation Infrastructure Grants.
Funding Amounts
The grant amount is fixed at $5,000 CAD per project. Applicants cannot request a higher or lower amount.
Yes. Projects may have budgets greater than $5,000, provided the total project budget does not exceed $500,000 CAD
Yes. The total project budget cannot exceed $500,000 CAD, including all project phases where applicable.
If your project is part of a larger multi-phase initiative, the combined budget for all phases of the project must not exceed $500,000 CAD.
No. Projects with total budgets exceeding $500,000 CAD are not eligible for funding.
Eligibility
Applicants must be a Canadian registered charity or qualified donee recognized by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).
Only non-profit organizations that are also registered charities or qualified donees are eligible. Non-profits that do not have this status are not eligible to apply.
No. Applications must be submitted directly by the eligible organization. Intermediary or third-party applications are not permitted.
Yes. Organizations must operate in or provide services to communities where Western Financial Group has a presence. Click HERE to determine whether your community is served by Western Financial Group.
Yes. Faith-based organizations may apply if they meet all eligibility requirements, the project is available to the broader community regardless of faith affiliation, and funding is not used for religious worship, instruction, or faith advancement activities.
Yes. Eligible organizations must provide free programs, services, or benefits that are available to and support the broader community.
Application Limits
No. Each organization may submit one application only and may apply to one grant stream only per funding cycle. The available streams are the Indigenous Infrastructure Grant, AMM Infrastructure Grant, and Community Infrastructure Grant. Please review the eligibility requirements for each stream and apply to the one that best aligns with your organization and project.
Yes. Organizations and projects that have previously received funding may apply again, provided they meet all current eligibility requirements.
Project Eligibility
Eligible projects generally create, improve, repair, or enhance community assets, facilities, equipment, infrastructure, or community spaces.
Projects must be completed within 12 months of receiving funding. Grant funds must be used for future project activities and cannot be applied to expenses incurred before funding is approved and awarded.
No. Funding cannot be used for general operating expenses.
No. Funding cannot be used for salaries, wages, honorariums, or ongoing staffing costs.
Application Review Process
You will receive an automated confirmation email acknowledging receipt of your application. Applications are reviewed by a committee using a standardized evaluation rubric to ensure a fair and consistent assessment process.
If you need to update information after submitting your application, please contact communitiesfoundation@westernfg.ca as soon as possible.
Notification Process
Due to the high volume of applications received, only successful applicants will be notified directly.
Successful applicants will be contacted by email using the information provided in their application.
Yes. Recipient organizations will also be announced through Western Financial Group communication channels.
If you have not been contacted by the applicable announcement date and your organization is not included in the public recipient announcement; your application was not selected for funding.
Questions and Support
For questions regarding eligibility, project requirements, or the application process, please contact communitiesfoundation@westernfg.ca.
You can also visit the program webpage for additional information, register for an upcoming information webinar, or access a recording of a previous webinar: Western Financial Group | Communities Foundation Infrastructure Grants.
To express our appreciation and demonstrate our support for the communities where we live and work, Western Financial Group founded the non-profit Western Communities Foundation in 2001 under the Income Tax Act of Canada (Registration #87030 2619 RR0001).
The Foundation does not accept requests, applications, or nominations from outside organizations; we only accept via a Western Financial Group or affiliate office. According to CRA guidelines, we can only donate to a registered charity or municipality and its boards.