There’s something special about summer in Manitoba.
It’s not just the long days or lake weekends — it’s the energy. It’s the community BBQs, the small-town festivals, the neighbours helping neighbours. That spirit of generosity runs deep here — and it doesn’t fade when the seasons change.
In fact, according to the most recent data from Statistics Canada, Manitoba ranks first among all provinces for charitable giving, with 19.3% of tax filers donating to charity. That statistic isn’t just a number. It’s a reflection of who we are.
But behind those donations lies another force powering our communities: nonprofits.
The Unsung Backbone of Our Communities - Nonprofits in Manitoba
You might not always see them, but nonprofits are everywhere — and they’re essential. From food banks and child care centres to employment services and arts programs, these organizations fill the gaps that neither business nor government can always reach.
Manitoba is home to nearly 4,000 nonprofit organizations. Together, the nonprofit sector generates a staggering $7.1 billion in economic impact, contributing 10.4% to the province’s GDP. That’s not a typo. Community nonprofits alone — the ones delivering hands-on services to Manitobans — contribute $1.3 billion.
And behind these numbers? People. According to Statistics Canada data collected by Imagine Canada, more than 110,000 Manitobans work in the nonprofit sector, and 73% of them are women.
This is a sector built on care, connection, and community. But sustaining it requires support — and not just from individual donors.
Why Business Support Matters
At North Forge, we see this firsthand.
We’re seeing a shift. Sponsorship is no longer just about writing a cheque — it’s about knowing where that money is going and what it’s making possible.
North Forge is a nonprofit business incubator that exists to fuel the next generation of entrepreneurs in Manitoba. We help founders build companies, protect intellectual property, prototype physical products, and access expert mentorship through programs like the Women in Innovation Lab (WiLab™) and our Founders Program, all at no cost.
But none of this is possible without partnerships.
95% of North Forge’s annual operating budget is spent on programming — programming that betters not only the local economy, but also the lives of Manitobans seeking to build businesses and scale both within our province and beyond. We rely on the generous support from the Province of Manitoba, who heavily believes in supporting innovation in our province. We also depend on the generosity of businesses that believe in building something bigger than themselves.
Princess Auto, for example, sponsors the Princess Auto Tool Room — a cornerstone of our Fabrication Lab that ensures Manitoban innovators can continue turning ideas into reality.
Law firms, like Thompson Dorfman Sweatman LLP and McKercher LLP, sponsor North Forge to help startup founders understand and navigate the complex world of business law.
Bell MTS has been with us since the AssentWorks days, providing vital support that’s grown with us over the years. And Bockstael Construction sponsors our carpentry room at the FabLab, helping facilitate workshops designed specifically for women and gender-diverse individuals — creating space in a male-dominated industry.
This is what modern generosity looks like: targeted, values-driven, and rooted in impact.
A Call to Action — and Compassion
To the business owners reading this: we know you can’t support every nonprofit that knocks on your door. But you can support the ones whose mission aligns with yours. The ones that are actively building the community you care about.
And to everyone else: giving doesn’t always mean dollars. It can be your time, your voice, your network, your skills. Every bit matters.
As wildfires rage in Northern Manitoba, now is a time to remind ourselves of what makes this place so special — we show up for each other. Let’s keep doing that.
Because when we support nonprofits, we’re not just donating. We’re investing in a stronger, smarter, more compassionate Manitoba.
And that’s the kind of place we all want to live in.
To learn more about North Forge and how its programming impacts entrepreneurs across the prairies, visit northforge.ca. To donate to the Manitoban wildfire relief, visit give.redcross.ca.
