National Acadian Day funding
Funds are available to promote the 2023 National Acadian Day. This fund, from the Celebration and Commemoration Program, will enable Acadians from across Canada to get together and celebrate their unique heritage and history.
The Acadian people, pioneers and builders of the country, have celebrated Acadian Day on August 15 since 1881, the year in which the first national Acadian convention was held in Memramcook, New Brunswick. The National Acadian Day Act was passed by the Government of Canada in 2003.
Events during the celebrations of National Acadian Day on August 15 highlight the contribution of Acadians to the Canadian cultural fabric, recognize their historical presence on the land, and celebrate their cultural specificity in all its diversity.
Who can apply
To be eligible for funding, your organization must be one of the following:
- a Canadian not-for-profit organization, such as a corporation, trust, cooperative, unincorporated association, etc.
- a Canadian business corporation where projects are non-commercial in nature
- a Canadian educational institution, Canadian municipal government or other municipal, provincial/territorial institution
- an Indigenous Peoples institution or organization (Indigenous Peoples include Inuit, Métis, Status and Non Status people); or
- a local band council, local tribal council or other local Indigenous government or organization (First Nations, Inuit or Métis).
Ineligible organizations:
- Federal, provincial and territorial governments.
Federal, provincial and territorial governments are not eligible for this fund.
Eligible projects
To be eligible for funding, your project must be:
- held on August 15 or the weekend before/after
- free of charge (no admission fees or donation required for entry)
- open to the public and promoted as such
How to apply
Read the Application Guidelines in their entirety before completing your application.
Contact the Atlantic Regional Office to obtain a complete application package.
Application deadline
February 24, 2023 is the deadline to submit a funding application for a community event.
When an application deadline falls on a Saturday, Sunday or statutory holiday, it is extended to the following working day.
Funding available
This special fund provides financial assistance to support community-based celebrations to promote the National Acadian Day on August 15, 2023.
- Amounts requested to the Program to organize a community celebration for the National Acadian Day cannot exceed $5,000.
- Funds are also available for a large-scale event. The application intake for large scale events is now closed.
Contact us
Department of Canadian Heritage
Atlantic Regional Office
1045, Main St, 4th floor, Unit 106
Moncton, NB E1C 1H1
- canada5k@pch.gc.ca
- Telephone
- 506-851-7066
1-866-811-0055 (toll-free) - TTY
- 1-888-997-3123 (toll-free)
Agents are available to answer your questions, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (ET)
Guides and help
- Application Guidelines — National Acadian Day Funding
- Guide on the public acknowledgement of financial support
- Service standards for Canadian Heritage funding programs
Related services and information
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