Grant and Funding Programs Offered by St Amant Foundation Inc.

St.Amant Foundation is the dedicated fundraising and philanthropic arm of St.Amant, a large Manitoba not-for-profit that supports more than 5,000 children and adults with developmental disabilities, autism and acquired brain injury. The foundation mobilizes community donations, corporate sponsorships and special events to provide financial support for programs, equipment and environments that are not fully covered by government systems.

The foundation’s funding helps purchase mobility devices, adaptive recreation equipment, communication technologies, personal health items and other essentials that enable people to live more independently and participate in community life. It also finances leisure and recreation experiences, such as tickets to community events or outings that might otherwise be out of reach for individuals living on fixed incomes.

Key areas of support highlighted on the site include recreation and leisure, personal items and equipment, and education and technology. Donations are directed toward items like custom bikes, adapted sports gear, wheelchairs, orthotics, hearing aids, laptops, tablets and specialized speech devices. The foundation also contributes to meaningful connection initiatives that help people build and sustain relationships in their communities.

Beyond individual supports, St.Amant Foundation leads major capital campaigns. A notable example is the $4 million renovation of St.Amant’s stabilization unit for people with disabilities, achieved through a multi‑year fundraising effort. The foundation has also funded the fully accessible St.Amant Spirit Cottage, a year‑round retreat free of charge for people supported by St.Amant and their families.

The foundation administers targeted award programs such as the Spread Some Sunshine endowment fund, which offers multiple $250 awards via an application process. These small grants are designed to support initiatives that spread positivity and improve the lives of people connected to St.Amant, illustrating the foundation’s role as both fundraiser and grant maker.

According to its own reporting, St.Amant Foundation has raised over $32 million since its creation in 1989. Recent impact summaries note hundreds of tickets to community events, dozens of communication devices, mobility aids and pieces of recreation equipment provided in a single year. Gratitude reports and story pages document how these investments translate into greater independence, health, inclusion and joy for individuals and families across Manitoba.

The foundation is overseen by a volunteer board of directors and operated by a professional staff team that includes an Executive Director, development and communications staff, and event and partnership coordinators. It works closely with St.Amant programs, community partners and donors to identify priority needs and ensure transparent stewardship of gifts. The foundation also appears as a funding partner in St.Amant’s research activities alongside universities and other health research funders.