1.1 Overview

Funding acknowledgement is a standard requirement in Government of Canada funding agreements^{Footnote 7}. This standard requirement also applies organizations whose projects receive federal funding through a funding agreement with another party. Funding acknowledgement promotes transparency by showing how federal funds are being used.

While your agreement is with "Employment and Social Development Canada", the "Government of Canada" is to be acknowledged as the project funder, not the department.

The name of the funding program is often included after the "Government of Canada". This helps identify the source of your funding. Funded grants and contribution projects are made available on the Government of Canada's webpage.

The name of the program providing funding for your project can be found on your funding application and in your signed funding agreement.

1.2 Funding acknowledgement line

Unless your agreement specifies otherwise, use one of the texts below to acknowledge funding in your written and spoken communication products:

• "Funded [in part] by the Government of Canada's [name of funding program(s)]"
• "This project is funded [in part] by the Government of Canada's [name of funding program(s)]"
• "This project has been made possible [in part] by the Government of Canada's [name of funding program(s)]"
• "We acknowledge the [financial] support of the Government of Canada's [name of funding program(s)]"

1.3 "Funded by" vs "Funded in part"

Use "funded by" if the Government of Canada is fully funding your project.

Use "funded in part" if there are other sources of funding for your project. The Government of Canada should receive equal recognition to other organizations providing similar funding.

1.4 Funding from more than one department

When a project receives funding from more than one Government of Canada department or program, use the "Funded [in part] by the Government of Canada" graphic without the program. However, in the associated written or spoken content, the funding acknowledgement line that includes the names of the various funding programs should be added for public awareness.

1.5 Funding acknowledgement graphic

The Canada wordmark is the global identifier of the Government of Canada. There are legal protections that preserve its integrity.

As a funding recipient, your "Canada" wordmark includes the funding acknowledgement line. This allows everyone to easily recognize that your activity is only supported financially by the Government of Canada. Your project and products are your own. The public must not confuse your project, organization or communications as the Government of Canada. The "Canada" wordmark is traditionally reserved for Government of Canada products so using it without the funding acknowledgement line may do that.

The department will provide your organization with high-resolution funding acknowledgement graphics in both official languages to use in your communications.

You may not change the Canada wordmark in any way. It should be easy to see, with plenty of space around it and not crowded or distracted by other elements or the background. You may not use it in a headline, phrase or sentence.

Below is the template funding acknowledgement graphic. It includes the appropriate funding acknowledgement line (1), funding program name (2) and to the right of a dividing line (3), the Canada wordmark (4).

When to use the "Canada" wordmark without the funding acknowledgement line

When more than one government or organization is providing financial support, the Canada wordmark alone can be used but the funding relationship should be clear to the public. For example:

Funded by:

1.6 Equal acknowledgement

The Government of Canada wordmarks must receive the same prominence and size as the identifiers of other funding parties who have made a similar contribution.

1.7 Disclaimer statement

When opinions are expressed in your communications product or publication (such as reports, articles, blog posts, statements, speeches and video messages), add this disclaimer text appropriately with the Government of Canada funding acknowledgement:

• "The ideas, views and opinions in this publication belong to the author(s). They may not reflect those of the Government of Canada."

1.8 Acknowledgement in both official languages

Funding acknowledgement must be in both official languages where required in your agreement. Even when not specified, you are encouraged to recognize the Government of Canada in both official languages, English and French. The department will give you the right funding acknowledgement graphic to use in both official languages.

Funding acknowledgement should be in the language of the content.

If your publication is in both English and French, include both the English and the French acknowledgements in the corresponding sections. Bilingual funding acknowledgement graphics are available on request.

If you need a bilingual funding acknowledgement graphic, the department will provide one to you.

You are encouraged to reach out to the department if you have questions on your bilingual communications requirements.

2.1 First public announcement

As a funder, the Government of Canada typically has the right to announce your project to the media first.

Your organization must wait before holding media events, issuing press releases, or launching paid advertising until after the Government has made its announcement. The department often has up to 60 days after a project agreement is signed to do this. Any media inquiries during this time should go to the Media Relations Office at the department.

Check your signed agreement for more details about timelines and conditions. The department can make exceptions to this waiting period if needed.

2.2 Announcements and events

You must notify the department in advance^{Footnote 6} before making any public announcement or holding a public event on your funded project. Public announcements include any messages to the media. Public events can include launch events, trade shows, press conferences and official ceremonies.

The Government may choose to participate in these events. If so, it can influence details of the event to support the attendance of the Minister.

Communication products used in support of public announcements and events must also be shared in advance with the department and must include appropriate funding acknowledgement.

2.3 Inviting the Minister or the department to your event

If you would like the Minister or a representative from the department to attend an event for your project, you should communicate with your departmental project contact. They can help redirect your request to the Minister's Office. Appropriate advanced notice is needed to support the attendance of the Minister.

A formal invitation is always required. It must include details such as the date, time and location of your event. Other useful event information, such as the purpose of your event and your expectations of the Minister or the departmental representative at your event, should also be shared with your invitation. You will receive a response to your invitation from the department as soon as possible.

Be sure to include your project number in all correspondence with the department.

3.1 Overview

Your agreement tells you when to send your public communication products to the department. The department checks them to make sure the funding acknowledgement is correct.

Use the instructions below and the right funding acknowledgement in your public communications products to help the review go quickly.

3.2 Press releases

The funding acknowledgement line must be clearly included in all press releases about your project. For press releases published on websites, the funding acknowledgement graphic can also be placed at the bottom of the page.

When you share your press release with the department, we check that the funding acknowledgement and Government of Canada references are correct. Our minister may also provide a quote to add to your press release.

3.3 Paid advertising and advertisements

All paid advertising related to your funded project must have funding acknowledgement.

You need to share your paid advertising plans and products with us before they are published or released. We will check that appropriate funding acknowledgement is included. We recommend sharing these advertising plans and products with us as early as possible to avoid any publication delays.

Your paid advertising may have to wait until after the first public announcement on the project has been made or after the waiting period in your agreement has passed.

3.4 Graphics and posters

You must clearly display the funding acknowledgement graphic on all visual and graphic products. This includes posters, infographics, report covers, ads, brochures, social media images, signs, plaques, billboards, and other digital or printed products.

Space permitting, the funding acknowledgement line can also be added. However, it is not necessary when the funding acknowledgement graphic already includes the name of the funding program.

3.5 Text-based products

You must clearly include the funding acknowledgement line in all text-based public communication products.

3.6 Reports

You must clearly display the funding acknowledgement line, the funding acknowledgement graphic and the disclaimer statement in all reports related to the funded project.

Where appropriate, the funding acknowledgement graphic should appear on the cover of the report. The funding acknowledgement line can be included in the acknowledgements section or on the inside cover page. The disclaimer statement should appear below or alongside the funding acknowledgement.

3.7 Articles and blogs

Funding acknowledgement must be included in articles, blog posts, written stories and other similar products.

The funding acknowledgement line can be placed within the main text or at the end of the publication. Alternatively, you can add the funding acknowledgement graphic at the bottom of your publication.

The disclaimer statement should also be added at the bottom of the publication.

3.8 Social media

Social media is a quick and public way to share information online. It is used to connect with the public and the media, so your Government of Canada funding should be clear in your posts.

If you use social media to announce your project or its funding, you need to share your post with us before posting it.

Unless your funding agreement says otherwise, you do not need to share every post with us. Still, the public should recognize that the Government of Canada has funded your project on social media. As social media platforms and accounts are different, you can tag us in your posts, including the funding acknowledgement graphic on your banner image or add the funding acknowledgement line in project descriptions.

Whenever you can, include the funding acknowledgement line in appropriate posts on your project and use the funding acknowledgement graphic in all promotional images.

3.9 Websites, webpages and mobile applications

Funding acknowledgement should be clear on webpages on your funded project. The funding acknowledgement line or the funding acknowledgement graphic must be clearly shown on webpages about the project.

If your whole website is about the project, you can put the funding acknowledgement graphic in the footer or header. The funding acknowledgement line should still appear on pages describing the funded project.

You can link the funding acknowledgement graphic to the department homepage (https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development.html) or the webpage of the program providing your funding.

If you have a section for funding partners on your website, you can list the "Government of Canada" or use the Canada wordmark there. When your project or funding has ended, you are to remove these funding acknowledgements or use the past tense. Confirm with the department if you plan to continue to acknowledge funding after your funding has ended.

3.10 Videos

For videos on your funded project, add the funding acknowledgement graphic at the end. The funding acknowledgement line should also appear in the video transcript.

Use the black funding acknowledgement graphic, centred on the screen with a white background or use the white wordmark with a black background.

3.11 Podcasts

Podcasts can be social media posts and speaking engagements. If posting a podcast on a streaming platform, the funding acknowledgement graphic or funding acknowledgement line should appear in the podcast description.

The funding acknowledgement line should also be said when talking about your funded project in podcasts and interviews.

3.12 Speeches, interviews and speaking opportunities

When you speak about your project to the media, include the funding acknowledgement line.

You should also say the acknowledgement at events or speaking opportunities, especially when the media is involved. This includes things like public speeches, panel discussions, podcasts, and TV and radio interviews. Let the department know ahead of time about these planned media events.

Questions from the media on Employment and Social Development Canada and its programming are to be redirected to the department's Media Relations Office for response.

ESDC storytelling: Share your project stories with us

Your funded projects are making a difference in people's lives.

We want to share those positive impacts with the world and show how your results are helping us achieve our policy objectives.

Contact us if you or your project participants:

• want to provide a testimonial or quote about your project or experience
• have photos, videos or other media showing your project in action
• want to amplify your bilingual story on our social media
• have a success or impact story we can help share with Canadians

Visit our Stories and Testimonial page to see examples. With your help, your story could be featured and promoted on our channels too.