There are several funding opportunities open right now in Manitoba. We encourage community artists and food-sector entrepreneurs, researchers and local businesses to apply.

Manitoba Arts Council

The Manitoba Arts Council is an arm’s-length agency of the Province of Manitoba, established in 1965 “to promote the study, enjoyment, production and performance of works in the arts.” MAC makes awards to professional arts organizations and individuals in all art forms including theatre, literature, dance, music, painting, sculpture, architecture or the graphic arts, and includes other similar creative or interpretative activity, including arts education. MAC uses a peer assessment process in making awards.

Manitoba Arts Council funding deadlines for September and October 2023 include:

• September 10, 2023: Share – Present
• September 15, 2023: Share – Artists in Communities
• October 5, 2023: Share – Artists in Schools
• October 10, 2023: Create
• October 15, 2023: Learn – Travel/Professional Development
• October 25, 2023: Indigenous 360

Manitoba Sustainable Canadian Agriculture Partnership program

The Government of Manitoba has a few funds closing in October. The Manitoba Agriculture Indigenous Agriculture and Relationship Development program is open and accepting applications until Oct. 27, 2023. The program staff are helpful and can answer questions and provide more information.

These programs are designed to increase Indigenous participation in the agri-food and agriculture sectors. Activities can include establishing and growing food systems, supporting partnerships and collaboration and much more. The Indigenous Agriculture and Food Systems program will provide funding across four funding streams:

• Planning and Consulting, which support access to community-driven, culturally relevant services and the development of resource materials, up to a maximum of $80,000.
• Training activities, which support sharing skills, group learning and knowledge transfer events, up to a maximum of $10,000.
• Enhancing Indigenous Food Systems, which support the design and development of community-based food systems from planning and training through to implementation, up to a maximum of $200,000.
• Capital Equipment and Software, which support access to capital items required in implementing and/or scaling up food system/agriculture projects from production and processing to preservation, with a 50 per cent government and 50 per cent applicant cost-sharing up to a maximum of $50,000 in funding.

The Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership is a five-year, $3.5-billion investment by Canada’s federal, provincial and territorial governments that supports Canada’s agri-food and agri-products sectors. This includes $1 billion in federal programs and activities and a $2.5-billion commitment that is cost-shared 60 per cent federally and 40 per cent provincially/territorially for programs that are designed and delivered by provinces and territories.

Trebek Initiative

The Trebek Initiative is a joint venture between the National Geographic Society and the Royal Canadian Geographical Society funding storytellers, educators, conservationists, innovators and researchers who are documenting Canadian and Indigenous land, wildlife, water, culture and history. The Trebek Initiative’s mandate is to “ignite a passion to preserve across Canada”. This is accomplished by widely sharing the stories and discoveries of Trebek Grantees. In addition to funding, Trebek Grantees also receive mentorship and networking opportunities, storytelling support and opportunities to present their work on stage or virtually. Select Trebek Grantees will also receive the title of National Geographic Explorer.

The Trebek Initiative has four streams: Education, Storytelling, Technology and Conservation. You can learn more about each funding stream on their web site at: https://www.trebekinitiative.com