Manitoba Accessibility Fund
Winnipeg, MN, Canada
Manitoba Accessibility Fund removes barriers through project grants
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|maxCount
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|openingDateJanuary 06, 2025
- grant_single|closingDateFebruary 14, 2025
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Public administration
grant_single|grantors
- Government of Manitoba
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|open
grant_single_labels|preview
The Manitoba Accessibility Fund (MAF) offers one-time grants of up to $50,000 to help Manitoba-based organizations and businesses remove barriers, raise awareness, and support compliance with The Accessibility for Manitobans Act. Eligible activities include developing tools, resources, and training for compliance, raising awareness about barrier removal, and enhancing information and communications accessibility in various formats.
grant_single_labels|projects
This grant supports projects, programs, and events that help raise awareness about barriers faced by Manitobans with disabilities and how to prevent and remove these barriers, along with activities to integrate the standards outlined in the Accessibility for Manitobans Act. Eligible activities focus on fostering compliance and removing barriers in various formats.
- Projects, programs, and events to raise awareness about barriers and promote their prevention and removal.
- Development of tools, resources, and training events or webinars to support compliance with the standards under the Accessibility for Manitobans Act.
- Integration of Accessibility for Manitobans Act standards into policies, processes, and initiatives of organizational sectors, professional associations, geographic regions, or demographic groups.
- Implementation of tools and technology to remove barriers to information and communications, ensuring digital enhancements comply with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1 Level AA or higher.
grant_single_labels|admissibility
Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements related to the organizational type, geographical location, and operational history of the applicant.
- The applicant must be a non-profit organization, local business, local corporation, municipality, or on-reserve business based in Manitoba.
- The organization must provide services to Manitobans and be registered with the Companies Office if applicable.
- Universities, colleges, and school divisions are also eligible to apply.
- Applicants must have been in operation for at least one year prior to applying for the grant.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
Eligible applicants for the Manitoba Accessibility Fund are organizations based in Manitoba, including: municipalities, non-profit organizations, local businesses or corporations providing services to Manitobans and registered with the Companies Office, local authorities such as planning districts and Northern Affairs Community Councils, on-reserve organizations or businesses that meet all other eligibility requirements, universities, colleges, and school divisions. Previous recipients of a MAF grant may also apply, but must wait one intake period if they have been allocated two consecutive awards or have received the maximum award amount.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
This grant excludes certain companies and industries due to their status or location. The restrictions aim to ensure that funds are directed toward entities that align with the grant's accessibility objectives within Manitoba.
- Organizations not located and operating in Manitoba.
- Franchises not locally owned.
- Residential rental properties.
- Businesses considered closed to the public.
- Crown corporations.
- Individuals.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
Eligible expenses for the Manitoba Accessibility Fund grant include costs directly related to the completion of an eligible project.
- Salaries and/or fees for staff and consultants/contractors working on the project.
- Production of resources, including guide books, factsheets, toolkits, and webinars.
- Space rental for events.
- Accessibility improvements to a website or other digital and print content.
- Technology to remove barriers to information and communication.
- Promotion and marketing of resources.
- Translation into French, American Sign Language, and Manitoba’s Indigenous languages, as part of accessible resource production.
- Registration costs to attend a conference or learning event.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
This grant is specifically available to companies operating within the province of Manitoba. It targets local businesses and organizations to enhance accessibility across various regions in Manitoba.
- Local businesses or corporations based in Manitoba providing services to Manitobans.
- Municipalities and local authorities within Manitoba, such as planning districts and Northern Affairs Community Councils.
- On-reserve businesses and organizations that operate within Manitoba.
- Universities, colleges, and school divisions located within Manitoba.
grant_single_labels|criteria
The evaluation and selection of projects for this grant are based on specific criteria considering their alignment with the grant’s objectives and capacity for impact.
- Eligibility: Applicability of the project and applicant in meeting all eligibility criteria and completion of the application requirements by the deadline.
- Capacity: Evaluation of the applicant's ability to administer, manage, and oversee the project with available resources and commitment to accessibility.
- Work Plan, Budget, and Results: Clarity and reasonableness of the project steps within the proposed timeframe and budget, and the identification of realistic results and evaluation methods.
- Inclusion: Integration of the experiences and expertise of Manitobans disabled by barriers in developing, delivering, or evaluating the project, and the level of engagement with people or organizations.
- Impact: Assessment of the project's potential to enhance accessibility awareness and compliance with the Accessibility for Manitobans Act and its benefit to a significant number of people or ability to serve as a model for others.
- Other Considerations: Projects demonstrating innovation, responding to identified needs, and promoting accessibility beyond the funding period may be prioritized.
grant_single_labels|register
Here are the steps to submit an application for this grant:
- Step 1: Access Application Portal
- Visit the Manitoba Accessibility Fund website at AccessibilityMB.ca.
- Locate the online application form available on the website.
- Step 2: Prepare Application
- Ensure your organization meets the eligibility criteria for the grant.
- Draft a comprehensive project proposal detailing how your project aligns with the grant objectives.
- Prepare supporting documents including a budget, timelines, and any additional information required.
- Step 3: Application Submission
- Fill in the online application form with accurate and complete information.
- Upload all necessary documents, including project proposals and budgets, via the online portal.
- Submit the application before the deadline of February 14, 2025.
- Step 4: Confirmation and Follow-up
- Receive a confirmation email upon successful submission of your application.
- If no confirmation is received within three business days, contact the Manitoba Accessibility Office.
- Step 5: Await Notification
- Applications will be reviewed after the deadline, and you will be notified of the decision within two months.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
Here are additional relevant details for this grant:
- Organizations that have received two consecutive MAF grants must wait one intake period before applying again.
- Applicants can only submit one application per intake period but can participate as partners in multiple applications.
- Projects must be completed by March 31 of the following fiscal year, with final reports due within 90 days.
- Successful applicants will be notified no later than 8 weeks after the intake period closes.
- The funding amount approved may be less than the amount requested, so additional funding from other sources is recommended.
- The Manitoba Accessibility Fund does not cover general operating costs or capital projects.
- All projects may be subject to audit by the Manitoba government to ensure compliance and appropriate use of funds.
grant_single_labels|contact
MAF@gov.mb.ca
204-945-7613
Apply to this program
Enhance Accessibility with the Manitoba Accessibility Fund
The Manitoba Accessibility Fund (MAF) offers financial grants to support Manitoba-based organizations, businesses, and municipalities in removing accessibility barriers and promoting awareness in line with The Accessibility for Manitobans Act. The fund's objective is to enhance compliance with accessibility standards through innovative projects, supporting those committed to making Manitoba more inclusive.
Detailed Insights into the Manitoba Accessibility Fund
The Manitoba Accessibility Fund is an essential resource for municipalities, non-profit organizations, and businesses within Manitoba that aim to enhance accessibility and inclusivity for individuals with disabilities. Initiated with a significant investment of $20 million, the fund is uniquely positioned to back projects focused on raising awareness about accessibility, developing resources for compliance, and eliminating barriers in communication and information sharing.
A key feature of the fund is its commitment to supporting compliance with The Accessibility for Manitobans Act standards, emphasizing three critical areas: Customer Service, Employment, and Information and Communications. Within these areas, the fund sees diverse applications from projects aimed at creating awareness campaigns, developing training programs, enhancing digital accessibility, and adopting new technologies to facilitate barrier-free access.
Successful projects embody innovative solutions that might include designing accessible websites that conform to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1 Level AA, facilitating workshops or seminars about disability rights, or launching educational campaigns targeted at preventing common accessibility barriers. This adaptability and strategic focus ensure that initiatives funded by MAF directly address the evolving accessibility landscape in Manitoba.
Applicants for MAF funding must be based in Manitoba and can range from small businesses to larger educational institutions, each bringing unique perspectives and strategies to the table. The fund not only prioritizes first-time applicants and new innovative projects but also applies a strategic review process to ensure alignment with broader accessibility goals across the province. Repeated applicants are acknowledged for their continued commitment, with certain limitations applied to ensure a wide distribution of resources across sectors.
From technology solutions to human-centered design, recipients are required to demonstrate a clear pathway from funds to impact, embedding accessibility solutions deeply within their operational and community engagement practices. Furthermore, projects are evaluated on their capacity to catalyze further funding or innovation, looking beyond the immediate grant period to ensure sustained impact.
The Manitoba Accessibility Fund does not cover capital projects related to building renovations, thereby encouraging applicants to focus resources on creative and systemic approaches to accessibility. The funding of up to $50,000 per project includes administrative costs, supporting applicants through their project execution phases with the possibility of additional support to amplify project outcomes.
In sum, the Manitoba Accessibility Fund is pivotal in promoting accessibility, fostering environments where barriers to information, communication, and service are systematically dismantled across the region. By empowering various organizations to implement training, awareness campaigns, and innovations, the MAF is reshaping Manitoba into a leader in accessibility and inclusivity.