Events component — Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Program

The Events component of the Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Program (MARP) provides funding to community-based events that:

• promote intercultural or interfaith understanding
• promote discussions on multiculturalism, diversity, racism and religious discrimination
• celebrate a community’s history and culture such as heritage months recognized by Parliament

Expected results are that participants and communities will gain knowledge, develop strategies and take action to:

• increase awareness of Canada’s cultural diversity
• increase awareness of issues affecting full participation in society and the economy, related to culture, ethnicity and/or religion
• increase capacity within communities to address racism and discrimination

The Events component is actively seeking proposals that will include one or both of the following funding priorities:

• Initiatives that support community-led efforts to counter hate, misinformation, and polarization by fostering dialogue, mutual understanding, and civic engagement. These public events aim to equip communities to recognize misinformation and hate-motivated actions and encourage the development of critical thinking leading to stronger social cohesion.
• Initiatives that foster human connection, civic participation, and a shared sense of belonging by bringing communities together through inclusive and interactive gatherings across the country. Activities such as cultural and/or intergenerational dialogue and participatory forums help reduce social isolation and build meaningful ties between people of diverse backgrounds. These efforts cultivate a Canada where every individual feels seen, heard, and valued, reinforcing equity and advancing the vision of a strong, vibrant, and united nation.

Who can apply

The following organizations and groups are eligible for funding:

• Canadian not-for-profit organizations, associations and unincorporated groups
• Canadian incorporated and unincorporated municipalities and townships with a population of up to 10,000
• Indigenous not-for-profit organizations (First Nations, Inuit and Métis)
• Indigenous governments, band councils and tribal councils

Eligible events

To be eligible for funding, your event must contribute to the Program’s objectives as well as the component’s objectives and expected results. Your proposed event must also:

• establish concrete opportunities for positive interaction among cultural, religious or ethnocultural communities
• demonstrate involvement of more than one single cultural, religious or ethnocultural community or target a single cultural community and provide opportunities to engage with and foster pride in the community’s history, culture and/or identity, such as heritage months recognized by Parliament
• help foster intercultural or interfaith understanding
• be open to and intended for the general public

Application deadline

Important Notice – Changes to the Events component

Please note that funding applications for events taking place in the 2027-2028 fiscal year, as of April 1st, 2027, are only accepted during specified, scheduled intake dates. Applicants are encouraged to plan accordingly and submit their funding applications before the relevant scheduled closing date.

Status of the call for proposals:

• 2027-2028 Events:

  For events starting between April 1, 2027 to July 31, 2027

  The application intake period will take place from September 15, 2026, at 8 am (ET) to October 27, 2026, at 4 pm (ET).

  For events starting between August 1, 2027 to November 30, 2027

  The application intake period will take place from January 13, 2027, at 8 am (ET) to February 24, 2027, at 4 pm (ET).

  For events starting between December 1, 2027 to March 31, 2028

  The application intake period will take place from May 12, 2027, at 8 am (ET) to June 22, 2027, at 4 pm (ET).

When an application deadline falls on a weekend or statutory holiday, it is extended to the following working day.

How to apply

Important: Please note that the Canadian Heritage Funding Portal for the Events component is currently unavailable for submitting funding applications.

Please contact your Canadian Heritage regional office for a copy of the Application Form and Budget Form.

To apply for funding, you must:

• complete, sign and date the Application Form
• attach all the required supporting documents
• submit your application by email

Contact us

Email

• Ontario: multiontario-ontariomulti@pch.gc.ca
• Quebec: multiquebec@pch.gc.ca
• Atlantic (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, PEI, Newfoundland and Labrador): multiatl-atlmulti@pch.gc.ca
• Prairies and Northern Region (Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Northwest Territories and Nunavut): multirpn-multipnr@pch.gc.ca
• West (Alberta, British Columbia and Yukon): multiwest-multiouest@pch.gc.ca

Address

Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Program
Department of Canadian Heritage
15 Eddy St
Gatineau QC  J8X 4B3

Telephone

819-997-0055
1-866-811-0055 (toll-free)

TTY

1-888-997-3123

Advisors are available to answer your questions, Monday to Friday, 7:30 am to 6:30 pm (ET).

Regional offices of the Department of Canadian Heritage