Government of Canada Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Program 2024/2025 (up to $300,000)

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About Government of Canada 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.

• Sponsor Organisation: Government of Canada

Benefits of Government of Canada Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Program

• 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.

Government of Canada Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Program Requirements

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.

Application Date and Process

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

They encourage you to submit your application package electronically to the following email address: [email protected]

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.

They 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 the support team:

Email

[email protected]

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.

 

Application Deadline

04 December, 2024

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