How to Use the United Way Winnipeg Organizational Development Grant to Maximize Your Nonprofit Communications

If you work in the nonprofit world, you already know how much heart it takes to keep things running, and how often communications and marketing end up at the bottom of the to-do list. But here’s the truth: clear, consistent communication is one of the most powerful tools your organization has to grow awareness, attract funding, and inspire your community.

That’s why the United Way Winnipeg Organizational Development Grant is such an exciting opportunity. It offers up to $7,500 to help nonprofits like yours strengthen internal capacity,  including the chance to build or refresh your communications and social media plan.

And yes, that’s exactly where Brandidly comes in.

What the United Way Winnipeg Organizational Development Grant Offers

United Way Winnipeg created this grant to help local nonprofits build capacity in six key areas, everything from governance and leadership to financial management, partnerships, and strategic planning.

Under Stream 6: Strategy and Business Planning, the funding can be used to develop a communications plan or social media strategy, two areas that directly affect your organization’s ability to connect, fundraise, and tell your story!

If you’re a Winnipeg-based registered nonprofit or charity working in health, social services, or community programs, you may be eligible to apply. Applications open October 6 to 31, 2025, with successful applicants notified in December.

(You can find all the details on the United Way Winnipeg website,  but here’s the bottom line: this grant is built to strengthen your organization for the long term.)

Why Communications Matter More Than Ever for Nonprofits

Strong communication isn’t just about posting on social media. It’s about making sure everyone, staff, volunteers, donors, and community partners, understands who you are, what you do, and why it matters.

When your story is clear and consistent, people connect with it. Donors trust you. Partners want to collaborate. Volunteers stay engaged.

The challenge? Most small and mid-sized nonprofits simply don’t have the internal capacity or expertise to create that kind of strategy, which is exactly why this grant exists.

How to Use the United Way Winnipeg Organizational Development Grant to Fund a Communications Plan

Your Organizational Development Grant funding can fully cover a project designed to:

• Develop a new or updated communications strategy
• Build a social media plan that aligns with your mission
• Strengthen brand messaging and audience engagement
• Create templates and tools your team can use long after the project ends

At Brandidly, we’ve built a grant-eligible Communications Plan Package that’s tailored specifically for this purpose, focused, practical, and achievable within the $7,500 funding window.

Brandidly’s Grant-Eligible Nonprofit Communications Plan Package

For $7,500, your organization receives a strategic, custom communications plan designed to bring clarity, confidence, and direction to your outreach efforts, with 20% more value built in for CRA-registered charities.

Here’s what that includes:

• A collaborative discovery and strategy session
• A review of your current brand and communications efforts
• A clear, actionable 10–15 page communications plan
• Audience and message mapping
• A simple, sustainable social media framework
• Editable content planning templates your team can use for months to come

It’s not about flashy campaigns. It’s about creating the foundation your organization needs to communicate with impact, and to keep doing it well.

What Other Nonprofits Are Saying

Here’s what some of our nonprofit partners have said about working with Brandidly:

“I’ve been working with Brandidly Communications, and the experience has been exceptional. From day one, [they have] been incredibly accommodating and always easy to connect with. Their expertise and attention to detail have truly helped elevate our online presence.”

— Sina Aiello, Downtown Community Safety Partnership 

“Working with Brandidly is an absolute delight. Their experience and knowledge have proven to be invaluable to our organization. Their involvement has allowed us to grow and raise awareness in the community, resulting in increased donations.”
— Nicole LaTourelle, Deer Lodge Centre Foundation 

Our goal is always to build capacity, not dependency, so your team walks away with tools, clarity, and confidence!

Ready to Apply? Let’s Make Your Grant Work for You.

Applications for the United Way Winnipeg Organizational Development Grant are open until October 31, 2025, and the “communications and social media plan” stream is one of the most powerful ways to use this funding.

If you’d like help shaping your proposal or want to make sure your project aligns perfectly with the grant criteria, we can help.

Book a consultation today to talk about how we can turn this grant into a lasting investment in your nonprofit’s communications success.