Community Supports Expression of Interest

The Employment and Income Assistance Program (EIA) provides financial assistance to Manitobans who have no other way to support themselves or their families. This includes benefits from the Rent Assist Program that helps with housing costs. For people who are able to work, EIA will help them go back to work by providing supports to employment.

For more program information, please visit: https://www.gov.mb.ca/fs/eia/.

The Community Supports EOI will be open for applications for a 4-week period: March 6, 2023 - April 3, 2023

The deadline to submit applications to Community Supports EOI is April 3, 2023, 11:59 p.m. CST.

Eligible applicants include:

• Organizations located and operating in Manitoba with an established governing board

• Application is submitted by established deadline
• Application is completed in full, including any supporting documents
• Application proposes eligible activities
• Must be able to fulfill intended services and programming within the 2023/24 fiscal year.

• The Community Supports EOI is open to all eligible applicants across Manitoba that are able to provide supports and services to EIA clients.

Proponents may amend their proposals prior to the Submission Deadline. To amend a proposal, the proponent must withdraw the previously submitted proposal and submit the amended proposal in accordance with the instructions set out above. The amended proposal must be submitted in its entirety on or before the Submission Deadline.

At any time throughout the EOI process until the execution of a written agreement for provision of the Deliverables, a proponent may withdraw a submitted proposal. To withdraw a proposal, a notice of withdrawal must be sent by email to the EOI Contact and must be signed by an authorized representative of the proponent.

No, grants issued from the Community Supports EOI will be dispersed within the 2023/24 fiscal year and program, projects or services are expected to be completed within one year from the start date.

For the Community Supports EOI intake, funding is only available for projects that are completed within one year.

The Community Supports EOI is designed for one-time short-term grants. However, the department may consider longer-term funding for projects or programs that yield measurable benefits for EIA clients and the EIA program.

Applications with request for capital cost must be reasonable and limited for the purpose of the project. Approval for capital cost will be assessed on its necessity for the delivery of the project.

The Manitoba government hopes to inform applicants within six weeks of the application submission deadline.

The Manitoba government will transfer 100 per cent of the EOI once agreements have been signed between the organization and the province.

An organization is encouraged to determine the amount of funding required for the delivery of the program or project rather than the requesting the maximum amount.

As part of the agreement with the Manitoba government, any unused funds from the grant must be returned.

• Salaries or wages for staff working on the proposed program, project or service
• Promotion of program
• Administrative costs
• Program space for rental
• Limited capital equipment
• Limited cost associated for furnishings and/ or renovations
• Training costs for participants of the proposed program, service or project

Eligible activities could include:

• workforce integration
• job shadowing
• resume/interview preparation
• work mentorship
• job coaching
• work placements
• job creation
• developing unique partnerships with employers and community supports   
• financial empowerment supports, such as financial literacy, access to banking, benefits navigation, as well as savings and asset building opportunities          
• employment wages/subsidy                                                        
• finding and maintaining stable housing
• literacy
• education exploration
• Indigenous cultural programming and supports
• peer mentoring
• service navigation
• addiction recovery
• goal setting and healthy relationships
• programming that offers wraparound supports
• wellness supports and services, including mental health and counselling services

According to the selection process in the application guideline document, organizations applying for the Community Supports EOI should include details in how they meet the selection categories. Additionally, it is recommended that organizations identify how the proposed project or program addresses gap in services and how it aligns with the purpose and objective of the Community Supports EOI.

The amount of the EOI awarded to an organization may be lower than requested.  EOI award will be determined based on the requested funds from the organization in conjunction with the availability of funds and an organization's ability to demonstrate the effective use of the funds.

Organizations that are selected to receive grants from the Community Supports EOI will enter into an agreement with the Manitoba government and be subject to reporting requirements to ensure financial accountability and include the following:

• Clearly defined purposes, deliverables and outcomes
• Financial reporting requirements include a final financial report indicating expenses associated with the approved budget and project
• Regular progress reports, including, narratives and updates on deliverables and outcomes.
• Will be required to comply with reporting requirements during the funding period, as well as a providing a final report within 60 days of project completion.  The final report includes a narrative report and a final statement of revenue and expenses, as related to the approved budget of the project.

Each application submitted to ETT@gov.mb.ca by the deadline will receive a confirmation the application has been received.  After the evaluation of all applications, applicants can expect to receive a response within 4-6 weeks after the deadline.

Organizations should provide all the necessary information required for the Community Supports EOI application. In addition to the application, organization may be required to provide supporting documents to confirm information described in an organization's application. Examples of supporting documents may include but are not limited to the following:

• Audited financial statements
• A list of Board of Directors
• The previous year’s annual report
• Work plan (required)
• Detailed budget (required)

For further questions or assistance in completing an application, please e-mail ETT@gov.mb.ca.

Information sessions:

The EIA program is offering three information sessions to provide an opportunity for interested organizations to ask questions and seek clarification where needed.  Organizations are encouraged to ask questions related to the Community Supports EOI application process, funding inquiries and/or general questions.