the manitoba accessibility fund: what it covers and how to apply

how the fund works

The Manitoba Accessibility Fund (MAF) gives one-time grants to Manitoba organizations and businesses that want to remove barriers for people with disabilities and meet The Accessibility for Manitobans Act. Eligible applicants can request up to $50,000, with funding covering up to 100% of eligible project costs.

The program is designed to:

  • Raise awareness about preventing and removing barriers
  • Develop tools, resources and training that help organizations meet Manitoba’s accessibility standards
  • Remove barriers to information and communication online, in print and in person
  • Promote accessible transportation that supports full participation in community life

are you ELIGIBLE?

MAF is for organizations based and operating in Manitoba that have been running for at least one year and have a project that improves accessibility.

You may be eligible if you are:

  • A Manitoba non-profit or registered charity
  • A local Manitoba business registered with the Companies Office that serves Manitobans
  • A municipality or local authority, such as a planning district or Northern Affairs community council
  • An on-reserve business or organization
  • A university, college or school division

Non-profits qualify by being a registered charity, by being incorporated with the Companies Office, or by having a bank account and at least one year of activity they can verify. Franchises that aren’t locally owned, residential rental properties, businesses closed to the public, Crown corporations and individuals can’t apply. Each organization can send only one application per intake.

is MAF a good fit?

MAF is a competitive grant, not an automatic one; it has about $825,000 a year to award, and each intake gets around 200 applications, with fewer than 40 funded. Meeting the rules gets your application reviewed, but it doesn’t guarantee funding, and awards can be less than you ask for.

For websites, MAF funds work that removes barriers for people with disabilities by bringing your site up to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA. Since May 1, 2025, Manitoba businesses and non-profits with at least one employee have had to meet that standard for new web content and any content people need to access their goods or services.

MAF is likely a good fit if:

  • Your organization is based in Manitoba and has been operating for at least one year.
  • Your website has accessibility barriers you can point to, and you want to fix them to meet WCAG 2.1 AA.
  • You can involve people with disabilities in planning, testing or reviewing the project.
  • You can measure the results, such as with a before-and-after audit, and keep the site accessible after the grant.

MAF is probably not the right fit if:

  • You want a new look or new features with no accessibility goal behind them.
  • Your project is a building renovation, ramp, door opener, vehicle or other capital cost.
  • You want the grant to pay for work done before your funding is approved.
  • You received two MAF grants in a row, or $100,000 in total, which means waiting one intake.
  • You need multi-year funding, since projects must finish by the end date in your agreement.

A selection committee reviews each application on eligibility, capacity, work plan, budget and results, inclusion and impact. Priority goes to innovative projects that meet a clear need and keep supporting accessibility after the funding ends. Involving people with disabilities is part of the assessment, and staff have said it’s an area applicants often miss.

what isINELIGIBLE?

MAF is focused on removing accessibility barriers, so some projects and expenses don’t qualify, including:

  • Capital projects, including renovations, new builds, ramps, elevators, lifts and automatic door openers
  • Buying, replacing or modifying vehicles
  • General operating costs and ongoing programs not tied to the project
  • Costs incurred before your funding is approved
  • Wage subsidies, job placement programs or employee assistance programs
  • Projects, programs or services outside Manitoba
  • Travel outside Manitoba, including meals and accommodation
  • Fundraising and lobbying
  • Core services that a municipal, provincial or federal government is responsible for
  • Paying for the regular delivery of core education, health or social services
  • Accessibility improvements to a private home

eligible expenses

MAF funding can cover up to 100% of eligible project costs, to a maximum of $50,000 per project, and that funding may be used for:

  • Staff and consultant fees for work on the project
  • Website and digital accessibility improvements
  • Technology that removes barriers to information and communication
  • Guidebooks, toolkits, factsheets and webinars
  • Translation into French, ASL or Manitoba’s Indigenous languages as part of creating an accessible resource
  • Promotion and marketing of the resources you create
  • Space rental for events and registration for learning events

Up to 10% of the amount you request, to a maximum of $5,000, can go toward administration directly related to the project. Costs only count if they happen on or after the date your funding is approved.

how to apply

  1. Check if you qualify:

    Read the MAF application guidelines and FAQ on AccessibilityMB.ca and confirm that your organization and project meet the requirements.

  2. Discuss your project:

    The Manitoba Accessibility Office answers questions about whether a project or cost is eligible at MAF@gov.mb.ca. Recordings of its two-part webinar series, covering the program and how to prepare a strong application, are on the MAF page.

  3. Complete your application:

    Apply through the online form on the MAF page and include the MAF project budget form. The form doesn’t save your progress, so write your answers in a document first. A letter of support isn’t required.

  4. Submit before the deadline:

    The current intake opened October 5 and closes November 27, 2026. MAF has one intake a year, and all applications are reviewed together after it closes, so applying early doesn’t lead to a faster decision. You should get a confirmation email within three business days of applying.

  5. Wait for a funding decision:

    The province aims to notify applicants within eight to ten weeks of the deadline, but MAF staff have said a decision can take three to five months. Approved applicants sign a contribution agreement, and 90% of the funding is paid once it’s signed. The last 10% is paid after your final report and financial statement are accepted, and the due date for those is set in your contribution agreement. Any change to the scope, budget or dates needs approval first, unspent funds must be returned, and projects may be audited.

Apply on AccessibilityMB.ca (opens in a new tab)

We help organizations turn website plans into finished projects, built to meet WCAG 2.1 AA. If you’re considering the Manitoba Accessibility Fund for your website, we can help you plan the project, define the scope and provide a quote for your application.

The application itself needs to come from your organization, but we can prepare the project details and budget to include with it. Keep in mind that any work done before your funding is approved won’t be covered.

If you’re thinking about applying for MAF funding and want to talk about your website, contact us to see how we can help.

Contact Us

This article is for informational purposes only and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Government of Manitoba, the Manitoba Accessibility Office or the Manitoba Accessibility Fund, and funding is not guaranteed. For official eligibility requirements, deadlines and applications, please refer to the Manitoba Accessibility Office directly.