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The Arts Incubator

Winnipeg, Manitoba

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Why Admin Matters!

Learn how administrative expenses power essential operations behind every successful nonprofit, agency, or business.
The Arts Incubator - Winnipeg June 30, 2025
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Why Planning for Administration Fees Matters

When people think of what makes a project or program successful, they often focus on the visible parts—direct services, materials, and front-line staff. But behind every successful initiative is a network of systems and people that make it all possible.

That’s where administration fees come in.

What Are Administration Fees?

Administration fees are a small percentage added to project or program budgets to cover essential overhead—things like:

  • Leadership and administrative staff
  • Office operations and equipment
  • Financial management and reporting
  • IT systems and communication tools
  • Legal, audit, and compliance support

They aren’t “extra.” They’re what keep the lights on and the wheels turning.

Why They Matter

💰 They Cover the Real Costs

Every project uses shared resources—someone handles payroll, sends reports, maintains systems. If those costs aren’t built into the project budget, the organization ends up covering them from already stretched general funds.

📊 They Create Financial Stability

Admin fees help keep core operations strong, preventing deficits and financial strain when programs expand or multiply.

🏗️ They Build Capacity

When admin work is properly funded, staff are supported, reporting is accurate, and compliance is strong. This leads to better outcomes—and less burnout.

🌱 They Support Sustainability

Organizations aren’t temporary. Admin fees help build long-term infrastructure, so services can continue for years to come—not just for one project cycle.

Why This Matters to Everyone

  • Leaders need admin fees to plan responsibly and grow sustainably.
  • Staff and volunteers benefit from strong systems and clear roles.
  • Funders gain confidence that their support is managed effectively.
  • Communities get the long-term impact they deserve.

Bottom line: Administration fees aren’t overhead—they’re the foundation.
They turn short-term efforts into long-term change.

About the Author

The Arts Incubator - Winnipeg

The Arts Incubator - Winnipeg

Administrator

The Arts Incubator - Winnipeg is a participatory arts collective and living lab, based in Winnipeg, Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario. It's a space where innovation and creativity thrive. It's latest iteration was launched in 2021 with funding and support from the Canada Council for the Arts Digital Greenhouse. Today, working with students and faculty from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, we fuse traditional and participatory media arts with artificial intelligence, music, storytelling and community-driven, land-based artist residencies to cultivate new voices and bold ideas. Whether through collaborative projects or immersive experiences, our small but vibrant community supports creators to explore, experiment, and connect. Join us at the intersection of artistry, technology, culture and community—where every moment is a new opportunity to create.

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Tags: Northern Arts Projects Northwestern Ontario Ontario Arts SDG 16 SDG 9 Winnipeg Manitoba

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MANITOBA ARTS PROGRAMS

This platform, our Winnipeg, Manitoba hub and programs have been made possible with support from the Manitoba Arts Council Indigenous 360 Program. We gratefully acknowledge their funding and support in making the work we do possible.

Manitoba Arts Council Indigenous 360 Program

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The Arts Incubator was seeded and piloted with strategic arts innovation funding from the Canada Council for the Arts Digital Greenhouse. We thank them for their investment, supporting northern arts capacity building and bringing the arts to life.

Canada Council for the Arts Digital Greenhouse Logo

NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO ARTS PROGRAMS

This platform, our Northwestern Ontario hub and programs have been made possible with support from the Ontario Arts Council Multi and Inter-Arts Projects Program. We gratefully acknowledge their funding and support in making the work we do possible.

Ontario Arts Council Multi and Inter-Arts Projects Program
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