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Application Guidelines – Events component

The Community Support, Multiculturalism, and Anti-Racism Initiatives Program

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Objectives for the Community Support, Multiculturalism, and Anti-Racism Initiatives Program

The Community Support, Multiculturalism, and Anti-Racism Initiatives Program supports the mandate of the Department of Canadian Heritage, by building on Canada's strength as a diverse and inclusive society.

The Program and the Events component objectives are to:

  • support communities in confronting racism and discrimination, promoting intercultural and interfaith understanding and fostering equitable opportunities to participate fully in Canadian society;
  • promote and engage in discussions on multiculturalism, diversity, racism and religious discrimination at the domestic and international levels;
  • strengthen research and evidence to build understanding of the disparities and challenges faced by racialized and religious minority communities, and Indigenous Peoples.

Expected results for the Events component

The Events component provides funding to community-based events that promote intercultural or interfaith understanding, promote discussions on multiculturalism, diversity, racism and religious discrimination, or 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 combat racism and discrimination; that provide opportunities for youth community engagement and involvement; and that build awareness and change attitudes. When conducting assessments, proposals with this focus will be treated as a priority.

Application deadline

There is no established deadline date to submit a funding application under the Events component of the Community Support, Multiculturalism, and Anti-Racism Initiatives Program, as applications are accepted on a continuous basis. However, applications must be submitted at least 18 weeks prior to the proposed event start date.

Who can apply

The following groups and institutions are eligible for funding:

  • Canadian not-for-profit organizations, associations and unincorporated groups of individuals;
  • Canadian incorporated and unincorporated municipalities and townships with a population of up to 10,000;
  • Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit or Métis) not-for-profit organizations.

Eligibility

We are responsible for determining the eligibility of each applicant, its event, and event-related expenses.

Applicants that are not eligible for support include but are not limited to applicants that:

  •  discriminate, contrary to applicable laws, on the basis of prohibited grounds, including race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, family status, genetic characteristics, disability and conviction for an offence for which a pardon has been granted or in respect of which a record suspension has been ordered;
  • discriminate on the basis of language;
  • advocate intolerance, discrimination and/or prejudice;
  • provide support to organizations or individuals that share or promote offensive content or discourse;
  • undermine Canada’s Anti-Racism Strategy, as described in Building a Foundation for Change: Canada’s Anti-Racism Strategy 2019–2022; or
  • undermine the values set out in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the Canadian Human Rights Act.

The Program is highly competitive. Requests for funding typically exceed our available resources. If your organization is eligible, submitting an application does not guarantee funding.

Eligible events

To be eligible for funding your event must:

  • 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.

Some examples of eligible events:

  • intercultural dialogues to share cultural heritage, traditions and viewpoints;
  • public education events that foster intercultural or interfaith understanding;
  • interfaith dialogues that bring together representatives of Canada's faith groups;
  • community-based celebrations of the historic contributions to Canada of particular ethnocultural, cultural or religious groups;
  • musical events that bridge ethnocultural, cultural or religious communities.

Activities funded under the Projects component of the Community Support, Multiculturalism, and Anti-Racism Initiatives Program cannot receive funding under the Events component for the same activities.
Events not eligible for funding are primarily those of a religious, political, commercial or private nature.

Eligible expenses

Only project-related expenses which can be of cash and in-kind value are eligible. These may include:

  • salaries and professional fees and expenses, including costs of honoraria (but not for directors);
  • recruiting, training or supporting local volunteers (e.g., child care, uniforms or transportation);
  • performers' and artists' fees and expenses;
  • domestic travel for event participants;
  • liability insurance (public events funded under the Events component must be covered by liability insurance);
  • translation from one official language to another;
  • communications, publicity, promotional material;
  • facility rental, production and set-up costs.

In-kind contributions are considered real contributions to the cost of the proposed project but are not reimbursable. Donated goods and services may be considered in-kind contributions if they:

  • are essential to your project’s success;
  • are eligible and would otherwise have to be purchased or paid for by you;
  • can be measured at fair market value (i.e. in relation to similar goods and services);
  • are balanced by an equal revenue in your budget (i.e. total in-kind expenses equal total in-kind revenues).

In all cases, administration/overhead costs will be limited to a maximum of 15% of the total event funding.

We cannot fund expenses incurred prior to receiving your application. If you incur expenses for your event before receiving written confirmation of your funding approval, you will be doing so at your own risk.

Expenses that will not be considered for funding include:

  • core programming expenses such as:
    • directors' fees for volunteer members of boards or other governing bodies;
    • annual general meetings or regular executive board meetings of an organization or association, including related travel;
    • ongoing production or development of newsletters, websites, newspapers, magazines, journals, or radio and television broadcasts;
    • capital costs or expenditures (eg. the purchase of computers and tablets, renovation expenses);
    • start-up and operational costs for organizations.
  • profit-making activities;
  • international travel;
  • food and beverages;
  • contingency fees and miscellaneous fees.

Limits of government assistance

To ensure the success of your event, we encourage you to have other funding sources. This may include contributions from your organization, the private sector, or other levels of government.

Total government assistance cannot exceed 100% of total eligible event-related expenses. Total government assistance includes all levels of government funding: federal, provincial and municipal.

We can fund up to 100% of the eligible expenses of the event up to a maximum of $100,000.

How to apply

Applicants are required to:

  • Read the Application Guidelines in their entirety before completing their application
  • Create or access their Canadian Heritage Funding Portal account
  • Complete and submit their funding application online through the Canadian Heritage Funding Portal

Application process

If, for some reason, you do not have access to the online system and require other methods of application, please contact:

Ontario:
csmariontario-scmlcrontario@pch.gc.ca
Quebec:
scmlcrregionduquebec-csmariquebecregion@pch.gc.ca
Atlantic:
multiatl-atlmulti@pch.gc.ca
Prairie and Northern Region (Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Northwest Territories and Nunavut):
rpn-pnr@pch.gc.ca
West (Alberta, British Columbia and Yukon):
multiwest-multiouest@pch.gc.ca

How applications are evaluated

We fund events that have clear objectives and measurable results. Funding decisions are based on the number and quality of applications received. Your application will be evaluated based on the criteria below. It will be compared with other applications received and prioritized in relation to the funds available.

Failure to comply with any conditions for a previously funded project will be considered in the evaluation of your new application and could result in the rejection of your new application.

Evaluation criteria

The following criteria will be used to evaluate all eligible applications:

Event design, goals and rationale

  • the proposal demonstrates how the event supports the program objectives and expected results of the Events component;
  • the need for the event is well established and clear;
  • the event has confirmed partners (if applicable);
  • the event activities are designed to create concrete opportunities for positive interaction between different communities and/or target a single cultural community and provide opportunities to engage.

Results, budget integrity and value for money

  • the anticipated effects of the event on one or more of the communities that are involved are clearly expressed in the proposal;
  • the proposed budget is balanced and sufficiently detailed (i.e., costs and revenues have been itemized and explained);
  • the proposed budget is reasonable and reflects due regard for the efficient and prudent use of public funds.

Ensuring event success

  • the applicant has demonstrated capacity to deliver the proposed event in a successful, efficient and timely manner.

We may request that your organization ask adult participants to complete a client survey to help evaluate the effectiveness of the Community Support, Multiculturalism, and Anti-Racism Initiatives Program.

Application processing time

For application processing time, please refer to the Service standards for Canadian Heritage funding programs or contact the program.

We will acknowledge receipt of your application within two weeks of the date your application is received by the Department.

Funding decisions

We reserve the right to target our funding to specific events.

Please note that decisions regarding eligibility and funding amounts are final.

How funding is provided

We will determine if funding will be disbursed as a grant or as a contribution.

A grant is a payment issued to a recipient for an event. The conditions you agree to at the time of application will apply. At the end of your event, you may be required to submit a report and/or participate in the evaluation of results.

A contribution is a conditional payment issued for a specific purpose, as outlined in a funding agreement. The agreement is signed by your organization and by us and specifies the terms and conditions to receive payment. At the end of your event, you must submit a final report.

Funding conditions

You may be required to submit interim reports. Should you receive a contribution you are required to submit a final report.

Additional conditions may apply and, if applicable, will be included in your funding agreement.

Workplace well-being

The Government of Canada is committed to promoting healthy workplaces where harassment, abuse and discrimination are not tolerated. Organizations that receive funding from Canadian Heritage must take measures conducive to creating a workplace free from harassment, abuse and discrimination.

Official languages requirements

We are committed to taking positive measures to enhance the vitality of official language minority communities and to promote the use of English and French in Canadian society. If you receive funding, you agree to comply with the official languages requirements set out in your application and in your funding agreement.

Acknowledgement of financial assistance

If you receive funding, you must publicly acknowledge – in English and in French – the financial support received from the Government of Canada in all communications materials and promotional activities. Additional requirements may be included in your funding agreement.

For additional information, please refer to our Guide on the public acknowledgement of financial support.

Impact Assessment Act

If you receive funding, your event may be subject to the provisions of the Impact Assessment Act. If your activities are to be carried out on federal lands, we will contact you for additional information prior to the start of your event.

Access to information requests

We are subject to the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act. The information you submit in your application may be disclosed in accordance with these acts.

Disclosure of information

By submitting your funding application, you authorize us to disclose any information submitted with this application within the Government of Canada or to outside entities for the following purposes:

  • to reach a decision;
  • to evaluate the results of the event;
  • to support transparency, accountability and citizen engagement;
  • to explore the possibility of funding from another federal government program.

Audits of recipients and evaluation of the Program

We reserve the right to audit your accounts and records to ensure compliance with the terms and conditions of your funding agreement. We also conduct periodic Program evaluations, during which you may be required to present documentation.

You must keep any records, documents, or other information that may be required to perform the audit or the evaluation for five years. Demonstrated failure to maintain such records may result in the repayment of amounts previously received.

Contact us

For further information, please contact us by:

Email
soutienauxcommunautes-communitysupport@pch.gc.ca
Mail
Community Support, Multiculturalism, and Anti-Racism Initiatives Program
Department of Canadian Heritage
15 Eddy Street
15-8-113
Gatineau, Quebec
J8X 4B3
Telephone
819-997-0055
1-866-811-0055 (toll-free)
TTY
1-888-997-3123 (for people who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired)

Agents are available to answer your questions Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (ET).

Glossary

This glossary contains definitions for some important terms used in the application guidelines, the application form or any other documents that could be required in the assessment of your project.

Administrative costs
Administrative expenses such as office supplies, telephone, fax, Internet, utilities, postage, courier, photocopying/printing, and rent for office space.
Audited financial report
An audited financial report includes a statement of operations for the given period with regard to the project and is prepared by a certified accountant who is not part of your organization.
Audited financial statements
A complete set of financial statements including a statement of financial position; a statement of operations; and a statement of changes in financial position. Audited financial statements are completed by a certified accountant who is not part of your organization. The certified accountant performs auditing activities in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards principles.
Cash flow
A presentation of all anticipated revenues and planned expenses that will occur over the length of your project. At the beginning of your project, your cash flow will have only forecasted revenues and expenses. Over time, your cash flow will be updated to reflect the actual revenues and expenses.
Ethnocultural communities

A group of people whose members identify with each other through a common heritage. An ethnocultural community or group is defined by the shared characteristics unique to, and recognized by, that group. This includes characteristics such as cultural traditions, ancestry, language, national identity, and/or country of origin.

To the extent that religion is inextricably linked to the group's racial or cultural identity, it can also be recognized as a defining characteristic. In some cases, a group may view its common origin as pan-national, or it may be based on geographic region of origin.

Events
Events are community-based, short-term activities that promote intercultural or interfaith understanding, promote discussions on multiculturalism, diversity, racism, and religious discrimination, or celebrate a community’s history and culture such as heritage months recognized by Parliament. These should be open and intended for the general public and foster concrete interaction amongst communities.
Final financial report
A final financial report includes, as separate items, the budget as well as all the revenues realized and expenditures incurred for the given period with regard to the project being funded.
Final report
A final report is submitted at the end of your project based on the requirements in the funding agreement. Your final report needs to provide the results of the activities you have undertaken for the duration of your project.
Financial statements
A complete set of financial statements, including a statement of financial position; a statement of operations; and a statement of changes in financial position. Financial statements may be audited or unaudited.
Honorarium
Payments for services provided by a person who is not a staff member of the organization, or by a firm that is separate from the organization. For example, it includes fees for, or in respect of, services provided by writers, translators and event managers.
Indigenous communities
Indigenous communities include First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities.
Interim reports
Interim reports are submitted during your project based on the requirements in the funding agreement. These reports indicate the results of the activities undertaken for a specific period. In addition, they include a status report on the work to be accomplished and updated revenue and expense reports.
Liability insurance
Insurance for claims arising from injuries or damage to other people or property.
National in scope
Projects that are delivered or have an impact in three or more provinces and/or territories.
Offensive content
Actions that, in the Minister’s opinion, contain or promote any of the following:
  • hate propaganda,
  • illegal material as defined in the Criminal Code;
  • material that contains excessive or gratuitous violence;
  • material that is denigrating to an identifiable group; or
  • any other similarly offensive material.
Official-language minority communities
The official-language minority communities are the Anglophone communities residing in Quebec and the Francophone communities residing outside of Quebec.
Partners
All parties (individuals, communities, community-based organizations, public and private sector institutions and funding bodies) with a vested interest in a particular issue.
Volunteer
An individual working on behalf of others without receiving financial or material gain.
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