Application Guidelines – Canada Cultural Spaces Fund

On this page

• Objectives and expected results for the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund
• Application deadline
• Eligibility
• Who can apply
• Eligible projects
• Eligible expenses
• Ineligible expenses
• Limits of government assistance
• Applying for more than 12 months
• How to apply
• Application process
• How applications are evaluated
• Evaluation criteria
• Application processing time
• Funding decisions
• How funding is provided
• Funding conditions
• Anti-racism and anti-hate
• Workplace well-being
• Official languages requirements
• Public health guidance
• Acknowledgement of financial assistance
• Impact Assessment Act
• Access to information requests
• Disclosure of information
• Audits of recipients and evaluation of the Program
• Contact us
• Glossary

Objectives and expected results for the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund

The objectives of the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund (CCSF) are to contribute to:

• improved physical conditions for arts and heritage cultural spaces for creation, collaboration, presentation, preservation, and exhibition; and
• increased and improved access for Canadians, including Indigenous, under-represented and equity-deserving groups to arts and heritage cultural spaces in their communities.

The CCSF achieves these objectives by supporting:

• the creation of planning and design documents, feasibility studies or facility assessments for the construction or renovation of arts or heritage spaces;
• the purchase of specialized equipment; and
• the construction or renovation of arts or heritage cultural spaces, operated in a manner consistent with professional standards.

The expected results include:

• artists, creators, and heritage practitioners have access to arts or heritage cultural spaces; and
• diverse arts and heritage experiences are available in a wide range of communities.

Ultimately, the long-term results of the CCSF will allow Canadians to value and access arts and heritage spaces in their community.

Application deadline

There is no established deadline date to submit a funding application under the CCSF, as applications are accepted on a continuous basis.

Eligibility

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

The CCSF is highly competitive. Requests for funding exceed our available resources. If your organization is eligible, submitting an application does not guarantee funding. Potential applicants are encouraged to contact a CCSF advisor at the nearest Canadian Heritage regional office before applying.

Who can apply

To be eligible for funding, your organization must be:

• a not-for-profit art or heritage organization, incorporated under the Canada Not-for-Profit Corporations Act, or under the equivalent provincial or territorial legislation, that has been active in the execution of its arts or heritage mandate for over 2 years:
  • that creates, produces or presents works where most activities undertaken include artists, creators and heritage practitioners who are compensated; or
  • that provides professional services for the benefit of other arts or heritage organizations; or
  • that collects, preserves, interprets, studies and/or exhibits heritage collections.
• a not-for-profit Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit or Métis) art or heritage organization, incorporated under the Canada Not-for-Profit Corporations Act, that has been active in the execution of its arts or heritage mandate for over 2 years including Indigenous heritage or cultural practice in their community.
• a provincial/territorial government, a municipal administration, or one of their agencies including post-secondary institutions, that has historically demonstrated its commitment to arts or heritage activities; or
• an Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, or Métis) governing body or one of their agencies that has historically demonstrated its commitment to artistic or heritage activities including Indigenous heritage or cultural practice in their community.

Applicants must:

• operate in a manner consistent with professional standards;
• compensate artists, creators, and practitioners for their work;
• demonstrate that their programming is available to Canadians or to their communities;
• own the space or have a minimum 5-year lease and written permission from the owner for projects involving renovation, construction, or the installation of specialized equipment; and
• have other sources of project funding that may include contributions from the applicant, the private sector, other levels of government or other federal institutions.

Ineligible applicants include but are not limited to:

• federal departments, agencies, and federal Crown corporations;
• unincorporated organizations;
• for profit entities; and
• individuals.

Eligible projects

To be eligible for funding from the CCSF, your project must be the:

• purchase and/or renovation of an existing arts or heritage space, including expansion or modernization;
• purchase and installation of specialized equipment for an arts or heritage space;
• completion of infrastructure planning projects, design documents, feasibility studies, or facility assessments for the renovation or construction of an arts or heritage space;
• construction of an arts or heritage space.

Eligible arts and heritage spaces may include, but are not limited to:

• museums, archives, exhibit spaces, interpretive centres, art galleries;
• theatres, music or concert halls, rehearsal spaces, green rooms, collaborative studios;
• arts training or production facilities;
• outdoor spaces, stages, or amphitheaters;
• spaces that support Indigenous heritage or cultural practices for Indigenous communities.

The CCSF may give special consideration to project applications submitted by organizations that are part of an alliance or partnership with other arts or heritage organizations, or who will share an arts or heritage cultural space.

Applicants requesting over $1,000,000 must include a formal business plan in their application package, including a financial operating forecast for the three years following project completion. The program reserves the right to request a business plan for funding requests under $1,000,000.

Renovation and construction projects with a total cost of $5 million or more are required to provide supporting documentation, such as quotes and estimates, that are less than six months old from the date of the funding application submission.

The following projects are not eligible for support under the CCSF:

• historic building renovations or restorations that are not directly linked to professional arts or heritage programming;
• construction or renovations to the physical envelope of buildings not owned by the applicant;
• projects related to regular or routine maintenance of a building;
• projects primarily involving space for worship or congregational purposes, or cemeteries;
• purchase or replacement of highway/roadway tourism signage;
• programming of spaces; and
• purchase, design, or production of exhibit content or artistic works.

Eligible expenses

Only project-related expenses, which can be of cash and in-kind value, are eligible; these may include but are not limited to:

Construction and/or Renovation Expenses

• Professional assessment, planning and design fees;
• Construction or renovation of arts or heritage cultural infrastructure, including:
  • Property acquisition and transfers;
  • Project-related interest on short-term financing;
  • Demolition and excavation;
  • Materials and labour;
• Fire, safety, and security systems;
• Systems and measures to improve accessibility;
• Environmental practices and sustainable construction (e.g. LEED, ecoENERGY);
• Specialized equipment;
• Fixed seating;
• Purchase of an existing arts or heritage space;
• Government of Canada Infrastructure Project Signage; and
• Purchase and installation of public art as part of a construction or renovation project.

Specialized Equipment Expenses

• Costs related to the acquisition and installation of specialized equipment. These expenditures may include but are not limited to:
  • Sound and lighting equipment;
  • Seating;
  • Stage curtains, staging and rigging equipment;
  • Multimedia equipment;
  • Portable dance floor or stage;
  • Integrated data collecting and ticketing system;
  • Hygrothermographs, environmental control systems;
  • Hanging or storage systems;
  • Cases, panels and interactive displays related to a permanent exhibit; and
  • Initial trainer fees related to specialized equipment.

Planning and Feasibility Study Expenses

• Costs related to studies that examine approaches for the development of a new space or for the renovation of an existing arts or heritage space;
• Professional fees related to the assessment of the viability of the project;
• Professional fees related to the design, market analysis and resources required to operate the new or renovated site; and
• Professional fees related to specialized technicians.

Administrative Expenses

• Costs directly related to the project up to a maximum of 5% of eligible expenses, including:
  • Carrying costs;
  • Calls for tender;
  • Services to provide materials in both official languages and/or in Indigenous languages;
  • Project audit fees; and
  • Signage required for acknowledgement of financial assistance;

The CCSF reserves the right to determine eligible expenses. While planning your project, know that the Government of Canada's fiscal year runs from April 1st to March 31st.

Ineligible expenses

The following expenses are ineligible for support under the CCSF. This list is not exhaustive:

• Costs related to the development of the project proposal and/or application, including fees for professional grant writers;
• Taxes; and
• Travel.

Ineligible Construction and/or Renovation Expenses

• Routine maintenance and repair;
• Operating expenses including fixed costs and staff time (salaries, office equipment and furniture, etc.);
• Restoration, conservation, reproduction, and refurbishment of artefacts/collections (both permanent and temporary);
• Commissioning and purchasing of works of art;
• Landscaping for beautification;
• Parking lots; and
• Long-term accrued interest on financing.

Ineligible Specialized Equipment Expenses

• Musical instruments and cases;
• Office equipment, furniture and computers dedicated to administrative tasks;
• Administrative systems; and
• Equipment for revenue-generating spaces, including commercial beverage and food facilities and/or gift shop contents.

In-kind contributions

Donated goods and services (in-kind contributions) are not reimbursable but may be considered real contributions to the cost of the proposed project 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); and
• are balanced by an equal revenue in your budget (i.e., total in-kind expenses equal total in-kind revenues).

We cannot fund expenses incurred before we receive the application. If project expenses are incurred before receiving written confirmation of funding approval, the organization will be doing so at its own risk.

Limits of government assistance

To ensure the success of your project, you must have other funding sources. This may include contributions from your organization, the private sector, other levels of government, or other federal institutions.

The CCSF is highly competitive. Requests for funding exceed our available resources.

The total financial assistance received from the CCSF, and other levels of government (federal, provincial, territorial and/or municipal) cannot exceed 100% of your total project-related costs.

The CCSF cannot recommend your project for approval before two-thirds of the total funding required has been confirmed. The CCSF cannot recommend a project for approval with a total cost of $5 million or more, before 80% of the total project funding is confirmed. These calculations take into consideration the CCSF requested amount.

The Program’s support for an individual project is limited to a maximum of 50% of total eligible expenses.

In exceptional circumstances, CCSF can fund up to 90% of eligible expenses per project. For more information on the specific funding criteria related to these exceptional circumstances, please contact a CCSF program officer at the nearest Canadian Heritage regional office before applying.

Applying for more than 12 months

You may request funding for a project spanning more than 12 months. You must then show that there is a need for a multi-year commitment and that you have the capacity to complete the project. This is demonstrated with a realistic project timeline and budget projections as well as sound governance.

How to apply

Read these Application Guidelines in their entirety before completing the application form. We encourage you to contact us before completing an application.

The applicant must meet all eligibility requirements and submit a complete application package to be considered for funding. A complete application package includes the application form and all required supporting documents. Please refer to the application form checklists for the list of required supporting documents.

Application process

• Complete, sign and date the application form;
• Attach all the required supporting documents; and
• Submit your application package through only one means (i.e., by email, by mail, etc.)

Email submissions

We encourage you to submit your application package electronically to the nearest office of the Department of Canadian Heritage.

Mail submissions

You can mail or courier your complete application package to the nearest office of the Department of Canadian Heritage.

Please contact us if you wish to submit your application package by fax.

Special accommodations may be provided to applicants who need assistance in submitting their application. Please contact the nearest office of the Department of Canadian Heritage if alternative arrangements are required.

How applications are evaluated

We fund projects that have clear objectives and measurable results. Your application will be evaluated based on the Evaluation criteria below.

The assessment will be based on information provided in your application. We may request additional information for assessment purposes, which must be provided within ten business days.

Applications will be assessed according to the extent to which the proposed project is expected to contribute to Program objectives, and the extent to which it will address the needs of underserved communities and groups, such as official-language minority communities, Indigenous communities, and ethnocultural communities.

As part of the project review of applications to CCSF, consultations may be undertaken with other federal departments or agencies, other provincial/territorial governments, and municipal administrations as well as provincial/territorial arts boards or arts councils. In the context of these consultations, applicant information may be shared with these stakeholders.

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

Evaluation criteria

The CCSF will evaluate your application based on the following criteria. Applicants should demonstrate in their application how the proposed project will fulfill each of the following criteria:

Your application will be evaluated based on the viability of your project and the demonstrated impact it will have in meeting the CCSF objectives and expected results.

A. Availability and quality of arts and heritage spaces

Does your project increase, improve and/or enhance:

• The number and/or capacity of available arts or heritage spaces?
• The accessibility, circulation, and organization of a space?
• Existing physical, environmental and/or safety conditions?
• The ability to meet local building codes and regulations?
• The equipment, functionality and/or technical capacity of the space?
• The number/capacity of available spaces at the local, regional and/or national level?

B. Availability and access to quality arts and heritage experiences

Does your project increase, improve and/or enhance:

• An audience member’s experience of a performance, presentation, and/or exhibition?
• The number/type of performances, presentations, and/or exhibitions you deliver?
• The diversity of performances, presentations, and/or exhibitions you deliver, including underserved disciplines, artists, perspectives, and themes?
• Audience accessibility, by reducing and/or removing barriers for those with physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments?
• Your ability to reach audiences, including underserved communities and groups?

C. Advancement of arts and heritage practice and profession in Canada

Does your project increase, improve and/or enhance:

• Working conditions for artists, technicians, staff, and volunteers (i.e., dressing/green rooms, rehearsal halls, efficient technical systems, etc.)?
• Access to space, equipment, and technology?
• Conditions for collaboration and/or professional development for artists, heritage professionals, staff, and other users?
• Opportunities for a full range of professional artistic and heritage activities, including the ability to create, present or exhibit larger or more complex works?
• Opportunities for experimentation and innovation which help push the boundaries of artistic and heritage practice, presentation, and exhibition?
• Long-term preservation and security of collections of art or cultural objects, and other tangible assets used for cultural purposes, etc.?
• Benefits to other arts and heritage organizations at the local, regional and/or national level?

D. Long-term sustainability of your organization

Does your project improve and/or enhance:

• Your ability to generate income from new and existing sources?
• Your ability to reduce operational cost and generate savings?
• Diversify your work force/be more inclusive in terms of board, staff, and volunteers?
• Reduce your carbon footprint and/or achieve Net Zero?
• Usage by new or existing clients or groups to rent or utilize the facility, for example, through short-term rentals, shared spaces, co-location agreements, co-presentations?

Viability

Your application will be evaluated based on the following:

• Organizational management capacity, ability to manage the project effectively, history of your organization, including the capacity to submit reports in a timely fashion;
• Past and present financial situation of your organization and confirmation of other sources of revenues for the project; and
• Ability to manage the financial impact of the project on long-term operations e.g., increased maintenance costs, additional staff requirements.

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 receiving your application in our office.

Funding decisions

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 a project. The conditions you agreed to at the time of application will apply. At the end of your project, 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 funding agreement is signed by your organization and by us and specifies the terms and conditions to receive payment. At the end of your project, you must submit a final report.

Funding conditions

You may be required to submit interim reports during your project. Additional conditions may apply and, if applicable, will be included in your funding agreement.

Workplace well-being

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

Public health guidance

Canadian Heritage expects that applicants will act in compliance with applicable statutes, laws, bylaws, regulations, orders, codes, standards, directives, and guidelines governing the activities for which funding is being sought, including those related to public health and safety due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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 project 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 project.

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 project; and
• to support transparency, accountability and citizen engagement.

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:

Department of Canadian Heritage
Canada Cultural Spaces Fund
15 Eddy Street
Gatineau, Quebec
J8X 4B3

Email

Please contact the nearest office of the Department of Canadian Heritage.

Telephone

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

Video Relay Service (VRS)

You can use free VRS services (ASL and LSQ) to provide us your feedback or questions (for people who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired).

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 am to 5:30 pm. (ET).

Regional offices of the Department of Canadian Heritage

Glossary

2SLGBTQI+

This acronym represents Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and additional people who identify as part of sexual and gender diverse communities. The “2S” at the front recognizes Two-Spirit people as the first 2SLGBTQI+ communities. The “I” for intersex considers sex characteristics beyond sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression. The “+” is inclusive of people who identify as part of sexual and gender diverse communities, who use additional terminologies.

Audited financial report

An audited financial report includes a statement of operations for the given period regarding 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 accounting principles.

Arts organization (operated in a manner consistent with professional standards)

• A not-for-profit organization that creates, produces and/or presents works in dance, theatre, music, visual arts or media arts where the majority of activities undertaken include artists who are compensated for their work.^{Footnote 1} Such organizations may include performing arts companies, artist run centres, arts festivals, and other presenters;
• An arts training institution that has a significant impact on training for a professional career in the above-noted artistic disciplines which is not funded as a provincial post-secondary education activity; or
• An organization which provides support to eligible arts organizations related to the delivery of their mandate may also be eligible for support.

Barrier

Anything—including anything physical, architectural, technological or attitudinal, anything that is based on information or communications or anything that is the result of a policy or a practice—that hinders the full and equal participation in society of persons with an impairment, including a physical, mental, intellectual, cognitive, learning, communication or sensory impairment or a functional limitation.

Business plan

A written document that describes your organization’s current status and plans for two to five years. It identifies future opportunities and includes the financial, operational and marketing strategies to achieve your goals.

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.

Climate change impacts

The adverse and beneficial effects of climate change on natural and human systems. Depending on the consideration of adaptation, one can distinguish between potential impacts and residual impacts.

Consultation with Indigenous Peoples

The Government of Canada is committed to building a renewed relationship with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples based on the recognition of rights, respect, and partnership. Funding applicants are encouraged to engage in meaningful consultation with Indigenous peoples early in project planning and design.

Cultural space

A physical space where Canadians gather collectively to experience arts or heritage related activities.

Disability

Disability means any impairment, including a physical, mental, intellectual, cognitive, learning, communication or sensory impairment — or a functional limitation — whether permanent, temporary or episodic in nature, or evident or not, that, in interaction with a barrier, hinders a person’s full and equal participation in society.

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.

Ethnocultural communities may or may not overlap with racialized communities (See definition of racialized communities).

Equity-deserving groups

A group of people who, because of systemic discrimination, face barriers that prevent them from having the same access to the resources and opportunities that are available to other members of society, and that are necessary for them to attain just outcomes.

Equity-deserving organization

An equity-deserving organization is one in which:

• The organization has its own governance structure
• Individuals of one or more equity-deserving groups form the majority of key, lead, creative and executive positions.
• The organization’s mandate is to serve people of one or more equity-deserving groups.
• The organization has its own financial presence (a bank account in its own name), financial autonomy and receives funding directly.
• The organization may center worldviews and practices rooted in the respective community. These may or may not be in combination with other modalities from outside of that community.
• Staff throughout the organization include individuals of equity-deserving communities.

Feasibility study

Report conducted in advance of a project to determine the likelihood of the project’s success. A feasibility study considers the desirability, financial viability and technical feasibility of a project. It is prepared by an independent consultant, architect and/or engineer or another specialist.

Federal lands

1. lands that belong to His Majesty in right of Canada, or that His Majesty in right of Canada has the power to dispose of, and all waters on and airspace above those lands, other than lands under the administration and control of the Commissioner of Yukon, the Northwest Territories or Nunavut;
2. the following lands and areas:
   1. the internal waters of Canada, in any area of the sea not within a province;
   2. the territorial sea of Canada, in any area of the sea not within a province;
   3. the exclusive economic zone of Canada; and
   4. the continental shelf of Canada; and reserves, surrendered lands and any other lands that are set apart for the use and benefit of a band and that are subject to the Indian Act, and all waters on and airspace above those reserves or lands.

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 and include a final report of actual revenues and expenses.

Final financial report

A final financial report includes, as separate items, the budget as well as all of the revenues realized, and expenditures incurred for the given period with regard to the Project being funded.

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.

Heritage organization (operating in a manner consistent with professional standards)

Incorporated not-for-profit Canadian organizations with a mandate and key policies related to the collection, preservation, interpretation, research and study, and/or the exhibition of cultural collections which are regularly open to the public.

The following are recognized as heritage organizations: museums, art galleries, archives, rare book libraries, botanical gardens, aquariums, insectariums, zoos, biodomes, science and interpretation centres, planetariums and archaeological, historical and ethnographic sites.

An organization which provides support to eligible heritage organizations related to the delivery of their mandate may also be eligible for support.

In-kind contribution

A real contribution to the cost of the proposed project but is not reimbursable as no monies change hands. Donated goods and services may be considered in-kind contribution if:

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

Indigenous people

First Nations (Status and Non-Status), Inuit and Métis Peoples, as defined in the Constitution Act.

Indigenous communities

First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities.

Indigenous governing bodies

First Nations governments, Band Councils or Tribal Councils, Inuit and Métis equivalent governing organizations.

Indigenous arts or heritage organizations

A not-for-profit art or heritage organization owned and controlled by members of the Indigenous peoples of Canada, which includes First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples, with a mandate to support and preserve Indigenous art, culture, or heritage.

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.

Net Zero

A Net Zero carbon building means a highly energy efficient building that produces onsite, or procures, carbon-free renewable energy or high-quality carbon offsets in an amount sufficient to offset the annual carbon emissions associated with building materials and operation.

Official-Language Minority Communities

The official-language minority communities are the Anglophone communities residing in Quebec and the Francophone communities residing outside of Quebec.

Operating Costs

Operating costs pay for items and people to generate ongoing activities of the business. These costs include items such as, but not limited to:

• Artistic, technical, and administrative personnel
• Marketing and fundraising personnel and materials
• Employee benefits
• Professional services (e.g., accountants, payroll services)
• Phone, internet, web hosting, yearly domain registration
• Facility rent, property taxes, utilities
• Property and liability insurance
• Annual depreciation or amortization costs related to capital expenditures

Professional fees

Money paid to a resource person, a consultant or a provider of professional services such as those related to architectural or engineering designs, environmental assessments, project management or financial audits.

Racialized communities

Communities of shared heritage who have been historically disadvantaged as a group and may experience discrimination based on colour, culture and/or race.

Racialized group

A group of people categorized according to ethnic or racial characteristics and subjected to discrimination on that basis.

Ethnic characteristics include culture, language and religion. Racial characteristics include skin colour, hair texture and facial features.

The use of the term "racialized" acknowledges that race is a social construct that negatively impacts a person's social, political and economic life.

Reconciliation

A renewed nation-to-nation, government-to-government, and Inuit-Crown relationship based on the recognition of rights, respect, cooperation, and partnership.

Short-term financing

A loan obtained by your organization to cover immediate costs incurred by the acquisition or construction and/or renovation of the cultural or historical infrastructure until your organization takes possession of the infrastructure.

Sustainable construction

Environmentally sensitive construction methods that promote a more efficient use of resources.

Underrepresented

Underrepresentation refers generally to groups or individuals from groups who, due to both formal and legal restrictions and to systemic barriers, have lacked access to full participation in a given organization, community or discipline. The term “underrepresented” refers not only to a group’s presence falling below population-level demographics, but also to the inequity and exclusion that contribute to this underrepresentation. Even as diversity increases across an institution or field, the factors that underpinned the exclusion still resonate.