facebook pixel

Community Infrastructure Grants

Applications Now Open August 4 to November 3

For over 20 years, the Western Financial Group Communities Foundation has been awarding $5,000 in Community Infrastructure Grants to support the enhancement, upgrade, and construction of community spaces and assets across Canada. These projects benefit the community’s future by contributing to its strength and resilience, enhancing sustainability, accessibility, health and safety, and creating connections to allow our communities to flourish. Since 2004, the Communities Foundation has awarded over $2.4 million in grants, supporting over 490 community projects.

Each year, we invite local community organizations to submit proposals for funding of their community infrastructure projects. In December, a select number of deserving applicants will be awarded the grant to support their initiatives.

One Program, Three Grant Streams

Our Infrastructure Grant Program offers three paths to building stronger communities.

  • 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.

 

Project Eligibility and Criteria

  • The project must be within Canada 
  • The project must be completed within 12 months of receiving funding
  • The total cost of the project can not exceed $500,000
  • The project consists of either upgrading, enhancing, renovating, or constructing a community asset.
  • The project must be a publicly owned community asset. 
  • The project must be accessible to the public.
  • The project must demonstrate its benefits for the community’s future through climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction, sustainability, accessibility, health and safety, or community well-being.
  • The project must demonstrate measurable social outcomes that directly benefit the community they serve. As part of Western’s evolving commitment to building Safe Places for Canadians, we place increased emphasis on initiatives that:
    • Strengthen climate resilience and adaptation
    • Reduce disaster risks or improve emergency preparedness
    • Advance accessibility, promote equity, and foster inclusive spaces for all community members
    • Create welcoming spaces that support connection, inclusion, and long-term community well-being.


The grant funding cannot be used for regular operating expenses.

Who can apply?

Indigenous Infrastructure Grant

  • Indigenous-focused CRA Registered Charitable Organizations
  • Indigenous Municipalities, Nations, Reserves, Communities

Community Infrastructure Grant

  • CRA Registered Charitable Organizations
  • Canadian Municipalities

            AMM Infrastructure Grant

  • Members of the Association of Manitoba Municipalities

The following are not eligible:

  • Non-profit organizations
  • Social enterprises
  • Religious organizations
  • For-profit organizations

 

  • Businesses
  • Individuals
  • Political campaigns, individuals, parties
  • Event sponsorship

How to Apply

  1. Project Eligibility

    Review the project eligibility and criteria to learn about the types of organizations and projects that qualify for this grant.

  2. Online Application Forms

    Please complete and submit your grant application by the application deadline indicated below. Please ensure you complete the correct application.

Indigenous Infrastructure Grant

Deadline: September 15, 2025

Community Infrastructure Grant

Deadline: November 3, 2025

AMM Infrastructure Grant

Deadline: November 3, 2025

Q&A

It will take approximately 15 minutes to complete the application.

Indigenous Grant Applications are due September 15, 2025

Community Infrastructure Applications are due November 3, 2025

AMM Infrastructure Applications are due November 3, 2025

No, an organization is only permitted to submit one application.

No, an organization is only permitted to submit one application, even if they are different projects.

Grant recipients will be contacted in mid-December 2025 via email.

All applications are pre-screened by an internal committee to assess project impact, confirm eligibility, and ensure alignment with our program criteria.

To promote fairness and reduce unconscious bias, eligible applications are then entered into a randomized draw, with selections made based on the number of grants available in the current granting year. This approach ensures that:

  • Every eligible project has a fair opportunity to receive funding
  • Projects that may otherwise be overlooked are given equal consideration
  • Our commitment to equity, transparency, and community inclusion is upheld

Please contact your local Western Financial Group branch if you have more questions.

Past Grant Recipients

2024        2023        2022        2021        2020        2019        2018        2017        2016        2015        2014        2013

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.