Language selection

Government of Canada / Gouvernement du Canada

Search

Application Guidelines – Collective Initiatives, including the Changing Narratives Fund Stream

Canada Periodical Fund

On this page

Objectives and expected results for the Canada Periodical Fund

The Canada Periodical Fund provides financial assistance to support Canadian print magazines, print community newspapers (non-daily) and digital periodicals, to enable them to overcome market disadvantages. The Fund ensures Canadians have access to diverse Canadian editorial content in these publications.

Objectives and expected results for the Collective Initiatives component

The Collective Initiatives component provides funding to organizations for projects designed to increase the overall sustainability of the Canadian magazine and (non-daily) community newspaper industries.

The objectives are to fund organization-based projects that will:

  • encourage collective efficiencies in the creation, publishing and distribution of Canadian periodicals;
  • explore and test new business models and digital opportunities for the periodical industry;
  • increase the information base available to the periodical industry and policy makers;
  • provide services, training and professional development opportunities to the industry; and
  • raise the profile of the periodical industry among advertisers, readers, creators, and as a career opportunity for Canadians.

Effective April 1, 2025, the Collective Initiatives component will include a new stream called the Changing Narratives Fund. This stream will support diverse communities to share their stories, experiences, and perspectives so that their voices are accurately and authentically represented in the media sector in Canada. The objective of the Changing Narratives Fund stream is to implement incentives and initiatives that encourage greater participation of diverse communities and organizations in the media sector.

To achieve this objective, the Changing Narratives Fund stream will provide support for mentorship, training and professional development opportunities for diverse communities at all career stages so that members from these communities can increase their participation in the media sector.

Application deadline

Applications for projects starting in the current fiscal year (April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026) will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. local time, July 16, 2025.

If you are eligible for Changing Narratives Fund stream funding and wish to apply to further distribute funds to diverse communities, please contact the Program prior to submitting your application.

Eligibility

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

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

Who can apply

To be eligible for funding, your organization must:

  • be incorporated as a non-profit organization under the laws of Canada or a province, representing or serving stakeholders in the Canadian magazine or community newspaper publishing industries;
  • be a related association, such as those representing or serving writers; or
  • be a press agency or media group that is serving a wide number of written media throughout Canada.

Your organization must also have its head office located in Canada.

For the Changing Narratives Fund stream, organizations must also:

  • have a stated mandate to support one or more diverse communities; and
  • be led by members of the diverse communities they serve.

If the project is submitted by an organization that represents a wide range of professional activities, the degree to which the project benefits primarily the periodical industry will be considered.

For the Changing Narratives Fund stream, if the project is submitted by an organization that represents a wide range of members (not specifically from diverse communities), the degree to which the project benefits primarily the interests of diverse communities will be considered.

Please note that a business number is required for funding applications to the Department of Canadian Heritage. For more information on how to register for a business number (BN), please visit the Canada Revenue Agency website.

Eligible projects

To be eligible for funding from the Collective Initiatives component, your project must be:

  • able to demonstrate direct benefit to members of the applicant organization or association;
  • aimed at improving the competitive performance of the Canadian periodical industry; and
  • in support of the objective of the Canada Periodical Fund, and at least one of the objectives of the Collective Initiatives component.

Eligible projects may include, but are not limited to:

  • research aimed at analyzing industry trends, new technologies, new business models;
  • market research and business plans;
  • collective initiatives in response to industry trends (aimed at marketing, promotion, education and awareness);
  • training and professional development for members of the periodical industry; and/or
  • promotion of the Canadian periodical industry in the domestic and foreign markets, particularly through the Web and other digital platforms.

To be eligible for funding from the Changing Narratives Fund stream, your project must support mentorship, training and/or professional development initiatives for members of diverse communities at all career stages within the periodical industries. Changing Narratives Fund stream projects can be funded through direct funding or further distribution:

  • Direct funding: Diverse community-led/mandated organizations will be able to directly apply to the Department to receive funding for their projects.
  • Further distribution: Diverse community-led/mandated organizations will be able to apply to distribute their contribution to one or more ultimate recipients. The further distribution is based on a clear, transparent, and open decision-making process regarding the selection of ultimate recipients and approval of initiatives to be funded.

Eligible expenses

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

  • market research costs;
  • venue and equipment rental;
  • technology costs (e.g., specialized software licensing, custom programming, etc.) during the project period;
  • promotion and marketing costs;
  • professional fees (e.g., contractors, etc.);
  • training;
  • registration fees (excludes registration fees of participants for the organization’s own events);
  • paid internships or apprenticeships;
  • project-related travel expenses, which must not exceed the rates permitted as per the Government’s Travel Directive;
  • translation costs;
  • project-related salary costs (must be less than 25% of total eligible project expenses);
  • a maximum of 10% of the total eligible project expenses to cover project-related overhead costs (e.g., mailings, courier, telephone long distance); and
  • costs of an audited financial report for the project (for contributions of $250,000 and over, or when required by the Program).

To be accepted and recognized, an in-kind contribution must:

  • be directly related to the implementation of the project (meaning the good or service would otherwise have been purchased to achieve the desired project results);
  • be based on the fair value, as opposed to the fair market value;
  • not have been paid for by the Department or from other federal government sources; and
  • be identifiable, verifiable and auditable throughout the project life cycle.

Note: Any discounts from service providers and/or consultants are not considered eligible as in-kind contribution.

To be considered as direct project costs, the expenses must respect the following criteria:

  • costs are necessary and directly related to the implementation of the project activity; and
  • costs can be traced to the project and reliably measured.

Ineligible expenses include, but are not limited to:

  • capital expenditures (e.g., computer or equipment purchase);
  • amortization and depreciation;
  • operating costs of the organization (e.g., rent, insurance, utilities);
  • hospitality costs (e.g., meals and beverages served at an event, catering fees);
  • any taxes that are recoverable for reimbursement;
  • all costs related to awards, contests, sweepstakes, draws, incentives and prizes;
  • meals, incidentals, and per diems unrelated to travel;
  • exchanges of services (e.g., advertising swaps);
  • project contingency funds;
  • bursaries for organization members;
  • dividends, bonuses and other extraordinary compensation for organization shareholders or owners; and
  • any costs not directly related to the implementation of a specific activity or objective.

If funding is approved for 2025-2026, we may fund expenses incurred as of April 1, 2025. However, 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, you are required 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 Collective Initiatives component of the Canada Periodical Fund and other levels of government (federal, provincial, territorial and municipal) cannot exceed 75% of your total project-related costs.

The maximum annual amount for a project is $500,000, or 75% of total eligible project-related costs, whichever is less.

For the Changing Narratives Fund stream:

  • the total financial assistance received from the Changing Narratives Fund stream and other levels of government (federal, provincial, territorial and municipal) cannot exceed 100% of your total project-related costs; and
  • the maximum annual amount for a project is $1,000,000.

Recipients may receive funding from Collective Initiatives for more than one project in a fiscal year.

Applying for more than 12 months

You may request funding for a project spanning more than 12 months. You must 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 and continued financial viability.

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. A complete application package can be submitted online through the Canadian Heritage Funding Portal, and the following supporting documents will be required:

  • proof of legal status (for a first time applicant or incorporated in the year, if applicable);
  • a copy of the resolution of the Board of Directors in support of the project and identifying signing authority;
  • research in support of the proposed project, if applicable;
  • most recent financial statements of the organization;
  • quotes and CVs from consultants (required if you have hired or plan to hire consultants for this project), if applicable; and
  • written agreement from confirmed cash funding sources, if applicable.

For funding requests of $100,000 and over, you must provide the most recent financial statements of your organization at one of the following levels, in order of priority:

  • audited (if available);
  • review engagement report (if available); or
  • notice to reader.

Projects seeking to further distribute funds through the Changing Narratives Fund stream must also submit a plan for further distribution through initial recipients. To receive a template of the plan, contact the Program.

Application process

Your application, including all supporting documents, must be submitted electronically through the Canadian Heritage Funding Portal. If you are eligible for the Changing Narratives Fund stream funding and wish to apply to further distribute funds to diverse communities, please contact the Program prior to submitting an application.

Should you be unable to access the new online system or apply online for any reason, please contact us using the information in the Contact Us section below.

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. It will be compared and prioritized with other applications 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

Your application will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

  • degree to which the project meets the objectives of the Canada Periodical Fund, the Collective Initiatives component, and if applicable, the Changing Narratives Fund stream;
  • impact of the project on the Canadian periodical industry (e.g. lasting benefits, broad reach to a variety of stakeholders);
  • demonstrated capacity of the organization to undertake the project;
  • clarity of project planning; and
  • suitability of the budget to the scale of the project.

Projects funded by the Changing Narratives Fund stream will also be evaluated on the project’s ability to increase the participation of diverse communities in the media sector.

Organizations applying for further distribution through the Changing Narratives Fund stream will also be evaluated on criteria relating to their ability to further distribute funds, meaning:

  • demonstrated capacity of the organization to redistribute funds;
  • accountability and program management effectiveness; and,
  • suitability of funding assessment and allocation structures.

Application processing time

Please refer to the Service standards for Canadian Heritage funding programs or contact the Program.

Applications submitted through the online portal will receive an automated acknowledgement of receipt email at the time of submission.

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 condition 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 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. If you receive $250,000 or more as a contribution, you are required to submit an audited financial report.

For projects funded by the Changing Narratives Fund stream, you may be required to provide feedback from professional development participants on the effectiveness of the initiative.

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

Anti-racism and anti-hate

Canadian Heritage is committed to address systemic racism, promote diversity, and create environments where every individual is valued, respected, and empowered. We strive to challenge discriminatory beliefs and practices, cultivate understanding and empathy, and champion policies and programs that advance equality for all.

Organizations receiving funding, including any representatives whether employees, consultants, or other persons directly affiliated with the organization, must take steps to ensure they respect the values underlying the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Canadian Human Rights Act, and Canada’s Anti-Racism Strategy.

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.

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 Periodical Fund – Collective Initiatives
200 Montcalm Street
Gatineau, Quebec
J8Y 3B5

Email
fondsdesperiodiquescanada-canadaperiodicalfund@pch.gc.ca
Telephone
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).

Glossary

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.
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.
Community Newspaper
A non-daily newspaper that primarily circulates local or regional information on a geographically defined territory or on information on the basis of common affiliation (e.g., farm, ethnocultural, religious), published under a common name at regular intervals, in print or via digital formats.
Digital periodical
A digital periodical is defined as primarily text, photography, and illustrated editorial content accessible through a digital platform (e.g., a website, download, or email) and updated regularly under a common title and governed by an editorial function (editor).
Diverse communities

The Changing Narratives Fund stream identifies diverse communities as:

  • Indigenous
  • Black
  • Racialized
  • Ethno-religious minority
  • People with disabilities
  • 2SLGBTQI+
Ethno-religious minority
An ethno-religious minority community (or an ethno-religious minority group) is a grouping of people who are unified by a common religious and ethnic background. This faith-based community have numbers smaller in relation to the population of other faith-based groups and who experience infringements on their Charter rights, and/or prejudice and discrimination (individual and systemic) based on racialized perceptions and misunderstandings of their faith.
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.
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.
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.
Fiscal year (of the Government)
Refers to the federal government fiscal year, which starts on April 1 of a given year and ends on March 31 of the following year.
Indigenous communities
Indigenous communities include First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities.
Innovation

Innovation generally refers to changing or creating more effective processes, products and ideas to increase productivity, performance and sustainability. Innovation may involve the use of technology but, it can also involve changing your business model and adapting to changes in your environment to deliver better products or services. Some examples of innovation are:

  • Product innovation (the what): developing new products and services and improving existing products and services;
  • Process Innovation (the how): developing new processes, methods and tools to reduce cost, create efficiencies, improve delivery and quality of products and services;
  • Market innovation (the who): extending market reach by modifying current offerings to reach new audiences and targeting audiences in new ways; and
  • Value innovation (the why): re-branding. Activities related to developing the organization’s brand.
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.

Magazine
A print periodical that is commonly recognized as a magazine, is paginated and bound, appears in consecutively numbered or dated issues, is published under a common title at regular intervals and may possess an International Standard Serial Number (ISSN).
Not-for-profit organization
All organizations incorporated under the Canada Corporations Act or the law of any province or territory.
Official-language minority communities
The official-language minority communities are the English-speaking communities residing in Quebec and the Francophone communities residing outside of Quebec.
Overhead costs
Long distance telephone charges, rent, fax, photocopying, couriers, general administration and similar expenses.
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.
Volunteer
An individual working on behalf of others without receiving financial or material gain.

Page details

2025-06-11