In one minute
If you hire summer youth in Manitoba, this is your primary provincial funding source.
The Grant: Covers 50–100% of minimum wage for youth (ages 15–29) between May 1 and Sept 30.
Who Applies: Nonprofits, municipalities (outside Winnipeg), and Northern Affairs Councils.
The Deadline: Monday, January 26, 2026.
The Catch: You must submit via email (
greenteam@gov.mb.ca). There is no online portal, so your PDF form must be perfect before you hit send.
While federal programs like Canada Summer Jobs get all the attention, Manitoba’s Urban/Hometown Green Team is often the better deal for local organizations. It offers higher subsidy rates for nonprofits and simpler reporting rules.
But the window is short. You have until January 26 to secure funding for your 2026 summer staff.
Here is what you need to know to get your application in the “Approved” pile.
Who is this for?
Nonprofits & Education Authorities (Winnipeg & Rural): You can get up to 100% of wage costs.
Municipalities (Rural only): You get 50% cost-shared funding. (City of Winnipeg is excluded as an applicant).
Northern Affairs Community Councils: Eligible for 100% coverage.
What does it cover?
Unlike some federal grants that only cover a portion of the hourly rate, Green Team is robust:
Wages: Manitoba Minimum Wage (currently ~$15.80/hr, typically adjusted Oct 1).
Benefits: Covers ~15% for MERCs (CPP, EI, Vacation Pay).
Support Costs: Up to $250 per position for nonprofits (PPE, background checks, materials).
Period: Jobs must run between May 1 and September 30, 2026.
Reviewer Lens: What Wins?
Provincial reviewers look for community impact and youth development. They want to see that the job isn’t just “busy work.”
Pro Tip: Your project description needs to answer: “How does this job improve the neighbourhood or help the youth grow?”
Weak: “Student will cut grass and paint fences.”
Strong: “Green Space Coordinator will lead neighbourhood beautification projects and supervise volunteer teams, developing project management and community engagement skills.”
The 2026 Application Checklist
The process is old-school (fillable PDF + Email). Do not leave this until 4:00 PM on the deadline day.
[ ] Download the 2026 Form: Ensure you have the current 2026 PDF from the Manitoba.ca website. Old forms are rejected.
[ ] Check Eligibility: Confirm your project is NOT on a First Nation reserve (those have separate streams) and does NOT involve advocacy/politics.
[ ] Calculate Weeks: Ensure your start/end dates fall strictly between May 1 and Sept 30.
[ ] Define the Supervisor: You must list a supervisor who is at least 18 years old.
[ ] Submit via Email: Send the completed PDF to
greenteam@gov.mb.cabefore 11:59 PM CST on Jan 26.[ ] Save the Auto-Reply: You should receive an instant confirmation. Save this—it is your only proof of submission.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I stack this with Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ)? A: No. You cannot double-dip for the same hours. However, you can use CSJ for one student and Green Team for another, or use them for consecutive time periods (e.g., Green Team for May/June, CSJ for July/Aug).
Q: I am in Winnipeg. Can I apply? A: Yes, if you are a nonprofit. The “Urban” in Urban/Hometown Green Team specifically covers Winnipeg nonprofits. Only the City of Winnipeg municipal government itself is excluded.
Q: When do I find out if I won? A: Notifications usually arrive in April. Do not start staff before you receive the approval letter, or those hours will be ineligible.
Q: Is there an age limit for the student? A: Yes. The youth must be aged 15 to 29. They do not strictly need to be returning students (unlike some federal streams), which makes hiring easier.
What to do next
If you are juggling this application alongside your Canada Summer Jobs files, it’s easy to mix up the rules.
Need a second set of eyes? Our Rapid Grant Rescue service can review your Green Team draft to ensure your narrative hits the “youth development” markers provincial reviewers love.
