Closed
Source verified August 11, 2026
Conservation Trust
Funding for Manitoba conservation projects
Latest source updateLast Update: August 11, 2026Latest change: The Funding Opportunities page now shows updated 2026–2027 Conservation Trust and GROW intake dates, and the FWEF schedule has been replaced with TBD notices.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: August 11, 2026
Latest change: The Funding Opportunities page now shows updated 2026–2027 Conservation Trust and GROW intake dates, and the FWEF schedule has been replaced with TBD notices.
2026–2027 intake dates updated
The Funding Opportunities page now shows Conservation Trust and GROW intake timing for 2026–2027, including Letter of Interest intake opening on Sept. 8, 2026, closing on Oct. 3, 2026, notifications on Oct. 24, 2026, proposal intake opening on Nov. 3, 2026, closing on Nov. 28, 2026, and granting notifications in April 2027. For FWEF, the prior dated Letter of Interest and application schedule has been replaced with TBD notices for intake openings, closings, and notifications, so the concrete opening, closing, and notification timing is no longer shown.
Funding available
$ 600,000
Deadline
Closed
Location
Manitoba, Canada
Overview
The Conservation Trust is a $102 million fund established in 2018 by the Government of Manitoba for Manitoba non-profit organizations. It supports projects that conserve natural resources and create, conserve, or enhance natural infrastructure for the benefit of Manitobans.
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At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Increase social or community impact
- Develop strategic partnerships
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 600,000 $
- Up to 33% of project cost
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Manitoba
Legal structures
- Non-profit
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Environment
Target groups
- All the groups
Revenue structures
- 100% donations / grants
Scope
- Provincial
- National
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Projects designed to improve habitat quality and quantity or enhance populations of key wildlife species or suites of species
- Projects that have water quality and quantity as key EG&S outcomes, including wetland restoration and enhancement
- Activities that build soil organic matter, decrease soil erosion, and increase carbon sequestration through perennial cover management or other cropping practices
- On-the-ground pilot projects designed to focus on new approaches to the conservation of land, water and wildlife
- Large area planning initiatives at an eco-regional, basin, or multi-species scale; and projects that connect people to nature, including landscape enhancements, access improvements, and outdoor-based interpretive or educational programs
Documents Needed
- Letter of Interest
- Project application
- Completed table package
- Organizational by-laws or board resolution identifying signing authority
- Certificate of insurance naming Manitoba Habitat Conservancy as additional insured
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Community-based not-for-profit groups
- Provincially-based not-for-profit groups
- National not-for-profit groups that have established operations within Manitoba
Who is not eligible
- Organizations without established operations in Manitoba
- Governments, including municipalities and Indigenous governments
- Individuals
- For-profit organizations
- Grant recipients with existing funded projects that are substantially behind their proposed work plan and deliverables may be restricted from re-applying
Eligible expenses
- Materials and Supplies associated with the construction, delivery, or establishment of the project
- Construction Services
- Consulting/professional services, including consultants and legal fees
- Equipment Rental
- Communications, Landowner Establishment Costs, Incentive payments, Salaries and Benefits, Travel & Field Costs, and Administration and Overhead associated with the proposal
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Activities primarily focused on festivals and general public events; conferences, lecture series, or conventions
- Contributions to endowment funds; organizational fundraising; research costs; primary and applied research; policy promotion and advocacy activities; law enforcement activities
- Land purchases and easements; major capital assets such as buildings; major equipment purchases (> $5000 per item); land operating costs such as property taxes, debt servicing, etc.
- Corral system projects; landscaping projects on yard sites; feeding or control of wildlife species; fish or wildlife rearing, farming, stocking, or hatcheries projects; prevention and ongoing control of alien invasive species or wildlife species; well sealing; sod seeding non-native species in native grasslands
- Projects required by government order or regulatory requirement; construction and maintenance of drainage and other significant infrastructure; irrigation-service projects to landowners; reduction of point-sources of nutrients and other contaminants; activities that result in habitat, wildlife and/or water degradation or loss; using multiple funders at a combined cost that exceeds accepted market rates and/or established landowner cost-shares
Eligible geographic areas
- Manitoba's working landscapes
- Urban and suburban settings
Selection criteria
- Potential conservation benefit and alignment with Trust outcomes
- Technical feasibility and evidence to support project activities
- Deliverables and delivery cost efficiency (cost/benefit)
- Extent of co-benefits, partnership engagement and matching funds
- Project sustainability, organizational capacity and delivery history; highest priority will be given to projects that impact significant areas of land, significant numbers of people, and demonstrate significant and/or multiple EG&S outcomes
How to apply
- Stage 1: Submit a Letter of Interest using the online form.
- Stage 2: If the LOI is accepted, submit a Project Application.
Processing and Agreement
- The Trust Funds use a two-stage application process.
- LOIs will be screened to ensure proposed projects meet the Trusts criteria, and oversubscribed categories may restrict how many LOIs proceed to a full application.
- Applications will be screened to determine eligibility and suitability, then reviewed and ranked by a Technical Advisory Committee before MHC makes the final determination.
- Successful applicants proceed to signing of a Contribution Agreement, and MHC's decision is final.
- All approved projects may be subject to an audit, and all recipients must keep Books of Account for 7 years after completion of the project.
Additional information
- Managed by The Winnipeg Foundation and administered by the Manitoba Habitat Conservancy (MHC)
- Organizations are not restricted from partnering multiple times in the same funding cycle
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Conservation Trust Program
What is the Conservation Trust?
The Conservation Trust is a $102 million fund established in 2018 by the Government of Manitoba for Manitoba non-profit organizations. It supports projects that conserve natural resources and create, conserve, or enhance natural infrastructure for the benefit of Manitobans.
How much funding can be received?
Conservation Trust Funds up to 33% of admissible expenses, capped at $600,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the Conservation Trust program?
To be eligible for the Conservation Trust program, you must:
Community-based not-for-profit groups
Provincially-based not-for-profit groups
National not-for-profit groups that have established operations within Manitoba
What expenses are eligible under Conservation Trust?
Projects designed to improve habitat quality and quantity or enhance populations of key wildlife species or suites of species
Projects that have water quality and quantity as key EG&S outcomes, including wetland restoration and enhancement
Activities that build soil organic matter, decrease soil erosion, and increase carbon sequestration through perennial cover management or other cropping practices
On-the-ground pilot projects designed to focus on new approaches to the conservation of land, water and wildlife
Large area planning initiatives at an eco-regional, basin, or multi-species scale; and projects that connect people to nature, including landscape enhancements, access improvements, and outdoor-based interpretive or educational programs
Who can I contact for more information about the Conservation Trust?
You can contact Manitoba Habitat Heritage Corporation (MHC) by email at granting@mbhabitat.ca or by phone at 2047844350.
Where is the Conservation Trust available?
The Conservation Trust program is available the province of Manitoba.
Is the Conservation Trust a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Conservation Trust is a Grant and Funding