When & How to Apply for a Discretionary Grant

 

Discretionary Grant Application Deadlines

The deadlines for application to the Foundation’s three discretionary grant programs are set out below. For more information on each grant program, see Discretionary Grants.

 

Core Operating Grant Applications will be considered in 2024 as follows:

Application Deadline: September 20, 2024
Board Consideration: December 2024

Small Grant Applications will be considered in 2024 as follows:

Application Deadline: October 18, 2024
Board Consideration: December 2024 

Project Grant Applications will be considered in 2024 as follows:

Application Deadline: September 20, 2024
Board Consideration: December 2024

For additional information on our discretionary granting, contact the Foundation’s Executive Director.

 

Steps to Apply for a Discretionary Grant

Step 1: Determine if your organization may be eligible to apply for a grant. The Foundation makes grants to organizations, associations, institutions or individuals. Grant recipients will ordinarily be resident in Manitoba and their program or project must demonstrate direct benefit to Manitobans. Note: The Foundation may fund a program or project that is national in scope if it:

  • is found to be within the objects of the Foundation:
  • directly or indirectly benefits Manitobans; and,
  • has an appropriate amount of funding from other law Canadian law foundations.

Step 2: Determine if your project/program may be eligible for a grant. To be considered, your project/program must align with one or more of the purposes of the Foundation:

  • legal education;
  • legal research;
  • legal aid services;
  • law reform; and,
  • the development and maintenance of law libraries.

Determine ALSO whether your project/program addresses one or more of the Foundation’s strategic objectives or additional granting priorities.

Strategic Objectives:

  • Increase Access to Justice in Remote and Northern Manitoba.
  • Increase Access to Justice in Rural Manitoba.

Additional Granting Priorities:

Legal education, legal research, legal services/supports, and law reform activities that address:

  • French language legal services and supports; and
  • Systemic discrimination experienced by racialized and marginalized groups in Manitoba’s legal systems.

Step 3: Contact the Executive Director to discuss your proposal and obtain the necessary application package. Prior applicants are asked not to use application packages previously provided to them as there have been recent changes to the Foundation’s application package. Be prepared to discuss the following:

  • Which of the Foundation’s purposes does the project/program meet?
  • Which (if any) of the Foundation’s strategic objectives or additional granting priorities does the project/program address?
  • Who will the project serve?
  • What need is it addressing? How did you determine the need?
  • What are the outcomes you hope to achieve with the project?
  • Approximately how much funding would you like to apply for?

Step 4: Draft your application, following the instructions provided in the Application Package. Make sure you have included all the information required. If you have questions during this step of the process, the Foundation’s Executive Director can answer them and provide feedback on the draft application.

Step 5: Submit the application by email by the required deadline to the Executive Director (see above for deadlines). Once the application is received, the Executive Director will review it to confirm it is complete. If any additional information is required, you will be given the opportunity to submit it before the application is considered by the Board.

The Board will consider applications at a regularly scheduled board meeting (see above for timing). The Manitoba Law Foundation Board makes the final decision on all grant applications. Foundation staff will advise of the decision reached by the Board within seven (7) days of its decision.