Community museums and archives can now access matching dollars from the new Manitoba Heritage Trust Program announced last week by Sport, Culture and Heritage Minister Cathy Cox and Municipal Relations Minister Jeff Wharton.
Working in partnership with The Winnipeg Foundation, the province will provide one dollar for every two dollars raised for an organization’s endowment fund. Eligible organizations will be required to contribute a minimum of $2,500 to an established heritage trust. The province will guarantee support up to a maximum of $25,000 to organizations that raise $50,000.
From left: MLA for St. Vital Colleen Mayer; municipal relations minister Jeff Wharton; president of the St. Vital Historical Society Bob Holliday; sport, culture and heritage minister Cathy Cox; CEO of the Winnipeg Foundation Rick Frost; and MLA for Riel Rochelle Squires. Photo: Province of Manitoba.
Minister Cox said, “We are pleased to announce the details of our Heritage Trust program, which will help heritage organizations build their own, individual endowment funds to assist in their long-term sustainability.”
Organizations will have access to $5 million in matching grants through the program, which will be administered through the province’s three-year agreement with The Winnipeg Foundation.
Minister Wharton said, “Small community museums and heritage organizations already face a number of challenges, like a smaller donor base and distance from large population centres, but this program ensures all areas of the province will have access to provincial support. By partnering together, we ensure museums and archives already working closely with their community can receive our support and continue to preserve our local history while offering educational opportunities to visitors.”
Manitoba has nearly 200 museums and 36 archives, with about 75 per cent located in rural areas.
Visit www.endowmanitoba.ca for information on how to apply for the program and to sign up for updates.
