Grant and Funding Programs Offered by Winnipeg Police Service Endowment Fund (WPS)

The Winnipeg Police Service Endowment Fund is a permanent endowment created by by-law of the City of Winnipeg and managed in formal partnership with The Winnipeg Foundation. It generates an annual revenue stream dedicated to supporting the Winnipeg Police Service vision of building a culture of safety through crime prevention based on social development rather than enforcement alone.

The fund awards grants to Winnipeg-based charitable or non-profit organizations and associations for projects delivered within the city. Funding is targeted to initiatives that serve at-risk and underserved children, youth and families, with a focus on addressing socio-economic risk factors linked to crime. Typical projects include after-school and summer programs, drop-in centres, community recreation and cultural activities, parenting courses, and other educational or social supports that enhance well-being and community cohesion.

Grants are awarded once per year following a defined intake period from January 1 to late February. Eligible organizations may submit a single application per calendar year, and successful applicants receive their grant in a single instalment, normally disbursed in the first week of April through the City of Winnipeg Finance Department. Projects are expected to run for no longer than one year, although renewed support is possible when applicants meet reporting and reapplication requirements.

The committee gives preference to applications that demonstrate clear community need and strong alignment with the philosophy of crime prevention through social development. While the fund can cover program costs such as equipment, supplies and activity expenses, it does not support rent, renovations, capital projects, fundraising campaigns, or initiatives normally funded by schools or other levels of government.

The Endowment Fund was established through City of Winnipeg By-Law No. 138/2013 and is overseen by the Winnipeg Police Service Endowment Fund Committee, composed of officers appointed by the Chief of Police. This committee reviews all applications in accordance with published policies and guidelines and aims to issue funding decisions within 30 days of the application deadline. Organizations that receive funding must enter into a grant agreement with the City of Winnipeg and may be required to report on project progress and results.

Over multiple years, the fund has supported a wide range of community partners, including daycares, schools, youth-serving agencies, cultural organizations, sports clubs and community-based non-profits. Funded activities have included youth sports and camps, mental health and restorative justice programs, summer enrichment and day camps, Indigenous cultural programming, and supports for families affected by crime. Through these grants, the Winnipeg Police Service Endowment Fund seeks to give at-risk community members opportunities to thrive, reduce vulnerability to crime, and strengthen neighbourhood safety across Winnipeg.