Application Guidelines – Projects component, Anti-Racism Call

The Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Program

On this page

• Objectives for the Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Program
• Objective and expected results for the Projects funding component, Anti-Racism Call
• Application deadline
• Who can apply
• Eligibility
• Eligible projects
• Eligible 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
• Public Health Guidance
• Official languages requirements
• 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 for the Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Program

The Program’s objectives are to support communities to:

• advance anti-racism; foster ethnocultural diversity and inclusion; promote intercultural and interfaith understanding;
• provide equitable opportunities for equity-deserving populations and community organizations to participate fully in all aspects of Canadian society;
• promote dialogue on multiculturalism, anti-racism, racial equity, diversity and inclusion to advance institutional and systemic change so that Canada becomes a more inclusive society, free from racism and hate-motivated actions; and
• support research and evidence to build understanding of the disparities and challenges faced by equity-deserving populations.

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

Objective and expected results for the Projects funding component, Anti-Racism Call

The Projects funding component provides funds to community-based initiatives that address systemic racism, discrimination, or hate by effecting sustainable change to promote the value of diversity and foster inclusion and a sense of belonging in Canada.

The Anti-Racism Call funds initiatives to address systemic racism and discrimination in Canada with the following objective:

• To enhance access to and inclusivity within Canada’s arts, culture, and heritage organizations and institutions, and creative industries by addressing systemic racism and discrimination in workplaces faced by Indigenous Peoples, Black communities, racialized and religious minority communities, while considering intersectionality.

Initiatives funded under this objective will have the following expected results for arts, culture, and heritage organizations and institutions, and creative industries:

• Implementation of new or improved culturally inclusive employment policies and workplace practices; and/or
• Increased representation and inclusion in decision-making processes and governance; and/or
• Increased access to wrap-around supports and opportunities for equity-deserving communities to take leadership.

An organization must submit a project proposal that meets at least one of the expected results.

The Anti-Racism Call is seeking project proposals that demonstrate sustainable impacts and that integrate one or more of the following priorities:

• Include youth participation in the project’s design and delivery; and/or
• Include equity-deserving communities in the project’s design and implementation; and/or
• Implement and share best systemic-change practices; and/or
• Build multi-sectoral partnerships or networks.

Application deadline

December 4, 2024, 11:59 p.m. local time (local time is based on the primary address of your organization).

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

Who can apply

To be eligible for funding, your organization / group must be:

• Canadian not-for-profit organizations, associations, and unincorporated groups;
• Non-federal Canadian public institutions such as boards of education, schools, colleges and universities, chambers of commerce, law enforcement and police agencies, hospitals and other health care institutions;
• Provincial, territorial, regional and municipal governments and their agencies;
• Indigenous not-for-profit organizations (First Nations, Inuit, and Métis); or
• Indigenous governments, band councils and tribal councils.

Eligibility

We are responsible for determining the eligibility of each applicant, its project and project-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 at https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/anti-racism-engagement/anti-racism-strategy.html; or
• undermine the values set out in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the Canadian Human Rights Act.

The Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Program (MARP) is highly competitive. Requests for funding typically exceed our available resources. If your organization/group is eligible, submitting an application does not guarantee funding.

Eligible projects

To be eligible for funding, your project must contribute to the Program’s objectives and the Projects, Anti-Racism Call’s objectives and expected results.

Examples of eligible activities include, but are not limited to:

• mentorships and internships;
• skills development initiatives;
• development of new learning materials, tools and training sessions;
• network and partnership development initiatives;
• leadership and volunteerism initiatives;
• knowledge sharing initiatives;
• meetings and workshops; and
• development of new programs, policies, and services responsive to diversity, or combatting racism and discrimination.

Here are a few examples of possible projects. This list is for illustrative purposes only:

• A partnership initiative in which an organization develops employment policies or practices in consultation with representatives of equity-deserving communities to facilitate the recruitment, retention, engagement, and advancement of equity-deserving staff within the organization. These workplace policies and practices would consist of guidelines and procedures established by an organization to ensure efficient operations and a positive work environment. The area of focus could differ based on need, and a wide range of policies and practices could be explored, such as codes of conducts, health and safety policies, leave/holiday policies, equal opportunity guidelines, or harassment and bullying policies to name a few.
• A collaborative initiative in which an arts organization / institution connects with equity-deserving communities to improve their access to and representation in decision-making processes. For example, the institution could provide a training session about their governance processes, facilitate a round-table exchange for equity-deserving communities to share their ideas for removing barriers and improving access to opportunities, and develop and implement a plan to increase representation and inclusion in the long-term.
• The development of a network by an equity-deserving community organization within which various sectors in the community are represented and invited to participate (private, public, voluntary and not-for-profit in areas such as employment, transportation, childcare, health etc.) The network could meet regularly to collectively identify and address the layers of barriers facing the equity-deserving communities in need. Creating a network like this that removes barriers would show that improving access to and inclusivity within workplaces for equity-deserving communities requires coordination and collaboration. Each action could be led by a member of an equity-deserving community, so the solutions remain informed and equity-deserving community members gain experience leading such initiatives.

Eligible expenses

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

• Salaries, benefits;
• Consultant fees;
• Rental of office space and equipment not normally used in an organization’s daily operations;
• Publicity;
• Domestic travel and accommodation which must not exceed the rates permitted for travel on government business;
• Hospitality (only for meals and refreshments for the project’s participants);
• Liability insurance;
• Costs associated with organizing a conference or similar forum (ex. logistics and coordination costs not already listed);
• Evaluation and audit costs;
• Facility rental and set up costs;
• Fees and honoraria for performers and artists at events; and
• Administration/overhead costs (up to a maximum of 15% of total project funding before administration 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); and
• are balanced by an equal revenue in your budget (i.e. total in-kind expenses equal total in-kind revenues).

The following expenses are not eligible for funding:

• any type of Director’s fees for members of Boards or other governing bodies;
• capital costs or expenditures (e.g., renovation expenses, computer equipment, except when essential to the successful delivery of activities);
• Annual general meetings or regular executive board meetings of an organization or association, including related travel;
• costs associated with the ongoing production of newsletters, newspapers, magazines, journals, or radio and television broadcasts;
• religious and/or politically partisan activities;

If the funding is approved, we would be able to finance expenses incurred from April 1, 2025. If you incur expenses for your project before receiving written confirmation of your funding approval, you will be doing so at your own risk.

Limits of government assistance

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

The total financial assistance received from the Projects funding component, Anti-Racism Call and other levels of government (federal, provincial, territorial and municipal) cannot exceed 100% of your total eligible project-related expenses.

The Anti-Racism Call’s maximum amount payable per recipient is $1,000,000 per project. However, given the number of eligible projects received during each program’s call for proposals, the program expects to allocate funding up to approximately $300,000 per project.

You can submit only one application to the Projects component, Anti-Racism Call.

Activities funded under other funding components of the Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Program cannot receive funding under the Projects funding component, Anti-Racism Call for the same activities.

Applying for more than 12 months

This call for proposals is for projects of up to one fiscal year in duration with a start date no earlier than April 1, 2025. The duration of your project cannot exceed March 31, 2026.

How to apply

Read these Application Guidelines in their entirety before completing your application.

You must meet all eligibility requirements and submit a complete application package to be considered for funding. Incomplete applications will be rejected.

A complete application package includes a signed Application Form for the Projects funding component, Anti-Racism Call, and the following supporting documents:

• a signed Declaration/Attestation;
• a balanced Budget (no surplus or deficit) using the program’s budget template;
• a signed Application Checklist;
• a copy of your most recent financial statements, audited if available;
• a copy of your organization’s letters patent and documents of incorporation, including the certificate of continuance (Incorporated applicants only);
• a list of your current Board of Directors (Incorporated applicants only);
• a copy of your organization’s bylaws (Incorporated applicants only);
• a copy of your articles of association or a copy of your Terms of Reference (Unincorporated applicants only); and
• a signed copy of the Unincorporated Applicant Acceptance of Liability form (Unincorporated applicants only).

Application process

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

Email submissions

We encourage you to submit your application package electronically to the following email address: financementpmlcr-fundingmarp@pch.gc.ca

Scanned images of pen or pencil signatures and digital signatures (i.e. Adobe digital signature certificate) are accepted.

Documents must be signed by an individual with signing authority for the organization.

Signatures typed using a keyboard and unsigned applications sent from the email account of a member of the organization with signing authority will be considered incomplete.

We cannot accept links to application forms, budgets and other documents saved on file-sharing sites (WeTransfer, Dropbox, Box, Google Drive, OneDrive, etc.). All application documents must be sent as attachments by e-mail.

The email must be sent no later than 11:59 p.m. local time on the date of the application deadline for your application to be considered. Local time is based on the primary address of your organization.

Should you be unable to send by email for any reason, please contact our support team:

Email

info@pch.gc.ca

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 5:30 p.m. (ET). Please contact us if you wish to submit your application package by fax.

Mail submissions

You can mail or courier your completed application package to the Headquarters of the Department of Canadian Heritage.

Your application must be postmarked or hand-delivered no later than the published deadline to be considered.

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 by a review committee who will compare it with other funding applications and prioritize it in relation to the funds available.

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 following criteria are used to assess funding applications.

Assessment criteria related to design and rationale:

• the application contains a clear description of project activities and how they contribute to one or more of the Program’s objectives, as well as how activities contribute to one or more of the Anti-Racism Call’s objectives and expected results;
• the application identifies the project’s need and how it will address the related issues as well as its value added; and
• the application identifies the stakeholders, the partners, and the beneficiaries as active participants in project design and implementation, and how the project reaches equity-deserving communities and/or participants.

Assessment criteria related to results, budget integrity and impact:

• the application demonstrates the applicant’s level of engagement with the communities and the project’s sustainable impact on the community or the communities being served, or the impact is clearly defined;
• the application contains realistic and measurable expected results and details how the applicant will measure and report on these results; and
• the application contains a project budget that is sufficiently detailed, balanced, and reasonable, and reflects due regard for the efficient and prudent use of public funds.

Assessment criteria related to applicant capacity:

• the application demonstrates the applicant’s capacity to deliver the proposed initiative in a successful, efficient, and timely manner (referring to relevant resources or other delivery experience the organization has previously obtained).

Priorities

In addition to the evaluation criteria listed above, the Anti-Racism Call is seeking project proposals that demonstrate sustainable impacts and that integrate one or more of the following priorities:

• Include youth participation in the project’s design and delivery; and/or
• Include equity-deserving communities in the project’s design and implementation; and/or
• Implement and share best systemic-change practices; and/or
• Build multi-sectoral partnerships or networks.

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.

• If you do not receive an acknowledgment of receipt by email by the end of the second week, you must contact the Program. (Do not resend your application at this point)
  • We remind you that it is your responsibility to ensure that your funding application package has been received in order for the program to proceed with the assessment of your funding proposal.

Funding decisions

We reserve the right to target our funding to specific projects. 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 agree to at the time of application will apply. At the end of your project, you will be required to submit a final activity 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 the department and specifies the terms and conditions to receive payment. At the end of your project, you must submit a final activity report and a final financial report.

Funding conditions

You may be required to submit interim reports during your project. If you receive $250,000 or more per fiscal year as a contribution, you are required to submit an audited financial report for the 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.

Public Health Guidance

We expect that you 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.

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 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;
• to support transparency, accountability and citizen engagement; and
• 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:

Department of Canadian Heritage
Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Program
15 Eddy Street
Gatineau, Quebec
J8X 4B3

Regional offices of the Department of Canadian Heritage

Email

financementpmlcr-fundingmarp@pch.gc.ca

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)

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

Glossary

This glossary contains definitions of some important terms used in the guidelines, application form or other documents that may be requested as part of the analysis of your project.

Arts, Culture, or Heritage Organization or Institution

An arts, culture, or heritage organization in Canada typically aims to promote, support, and enhance cultural activities, heritage, and the arts. Their activities often include organizing events, exhibitions, performances, workshops, and educational programs. They may also manage cultural spaces like museums, galleries, theatres, and community centres.

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 accounting principles.

Balanced budget

The organization must show that revenues equal expenses with a zero balance for the purpose of the proposed activities as presented in the Budget Template.

Black Canadians

Black Canadians generally includes diverse individuals, populations, and communities in Canada that identify as having African or Caribbean ancestry.

Call for proposals

A call for proposals is an open, formal, and planned process with a specific start and end date. It is used to identify eligible applicants interested in achieving program objectives and expected outcomes.

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.

Community-based organizations

Community-based organizations are non-profit, non-governmental, or charitable organizations that represent community needs and work to help them. They may be associated with a particular area of concern or segment of the community.

Cultural Industries

Cultural industries refer to sound recording, book publishing, magazine publishing, broadcasting, film, television and new media.

Culture

“Culture should be regarded as the set of distinctive spiritual, material, intellectual and emotional features of society or a social group, and that it encompasses, in addition to art and literature, lifestyles, ways of living together, value systems, traditions and beliefs” (UNESCO, 2001). This definition of culture is very closely related to the ways in which societies, groups and communities define their identity.

Equity-deserving communities

Equity-deserving individuals and groups are those who face barriers to equal access, opportunities and resources due to disadvantage and discrimination created by institutions, systems, narratives and individuals in power. For the Program, equity-deserving communities are identified as Indigenous Peoples, Black communities, and other racialized and religious minority communities, while considering intersectionality.

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).

Federal lands

(a) 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;

(b) 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

(c) 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.

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.

Indigenous Peoples

A collective name for the original peoples of North America and their descendants. The Canadian Constitution recognizes 3 groups of Indigenous peoples: First Nations, Inuit and Métis. These are 3 distinct peoples with unique histories, languages, cultural practices and spiritual beliefs.

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.

Intersectionality

Intersectionality acknowledges the ways in which people's lives are shaped by their multiple and overlapping identities and social locations, which, together, can produce a unique and distinct experience for that individual or group, for example, creating additional barriers or opportunities.

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.

Partnerships and networking

Networking and partnership building practices allow organizations to expand their reach, access new resources, and form mutually beneficial relationships with other organizations that have common goals.

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.

Religious minority communities

A minority religion is a religion held by a minority of the population of a country, state, or region. In Canada, these are people who identify as being affiliated with a non-Christian religion, for example, Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jewish, Traditional (Indigenous) Spirituality, and others.

Rural communities

A community with a population of less than 50,000, which is located between 50km to 200km from an urban centre with a population over 100,000.

Systemic Barrier

A barrier that results from seemingly neutral systems, practices, policies, traditions or cultures, and that disadvantages certain individuals or groups of people. Systemic barriers disadvantage minority groups, racialized groups, people with disabilities, people from 2SLGBTQI+ communities, Indigenous Peoples and other marginalized people and groups. Systemic barriers are present in all aspects of society such as employment, education, institutions and health services.

Youth

Refers to individuals in the stage of life from adolescence to early adulthood. Numerically it includes young people between the ages of 15 to 29.

Volunteer

An individual working on behalf of others without receiving financial or material gain.