What

Ogniwo Polish Museum is expanding its scope and formally changing to become the Polish Canadian Museum & Archives (PCMA). We are expanding Ogniwo’s regional mandate and officially collecting, preserving, and sharing Polish Canadian histories on a national scale. To accommodate our growing mandate and allow us to intake artefacts and archives from across the country, we have set a goal to raise money through a capital campaign to fund our Museum expansion project.

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When

In March 2025, Ogniwo’s Board of Directors and members approved a Capital Campaign Strategy to expand our mandate and our museum building. In November 2025, we announced our formal name change and are beginning to phase out our old branding and update our organizational mandate to reflect these changes.

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How

Our capital campaign goal is to raise $10 million over the next ten years to help us expand our current space, or to find a new and improved location here in Winnipeg, to house our collections, showcase our exhibits, and allow for community gatherings. 

In 2024, we commissioned MMP Architects Inc. to do a feasibility study to determine what it would take to expand our current building at 1417 Main Street. We are also continuing to assess commercial real estate opportunities in Winnipeg.

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Donate to our capital campaign!

You can support our capital expansion campaign by making a charitable donation today. Donations $20 and over are tax deductible. 

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Capital Campaign Strategy

The key points of our strategy are outlined below.

 

 

 

Campaign Components

1. Foundational Phase (Duration: 6–12 months):

   • Establish a Campaign Leadership Committee comprising prominent Polish Canadians and supporters.

   • Conduct site selection and feasibility studies.

   • Develop branding and communication materials, including a campaign website and video.                                                                                                                               

2. Silent Phase (Duration: 12–18 months):

   • Approach major donors (individuals, corporations, and foundations) for leadership gifts.

   • Seek government grants and cultural funding.

   • Secure 50–60% of the fundraising goal before public launch.                          

3. Public Phase (Duration: 18–24 months):

   • Launch a national awareness campaign through media and community events.

   • Engage grassroots donors through crowdfunding, events, and social media campaigns.

   • Promote naming opportunities for donors (e.g., galleries, exhibits, and plaques, donor board).                                               

4. Construction and Launch Phase (Duration: 24–36 months):

   • Break ground on the PCMA’s construction.

   • Host a capital campaign celebration to thank donors and showcase progress.

   • Open the PCMA with a grand opening ceremony and inaugural exhibition.
      

Key Partnerships

We are counting on the support of
1. Polish Canadian Organizations
2. Canadian Governments
3. The Government of Poland
4. Corporations
5. Media and Influencers
6. Polonia community members, supporters, and friends!
 

Recognition Opportunities
We will honour donors through plaques, donor walls, and naming opportunities.​