Apply Now: Infrastructure Improvement Fund (Canada)

The Infrastructure Improvement Fund provides financial support to eligible Nunavut residents and organizations for infrastructure projects that strengthen the territory’s arts, culture, and tourism sectors. Grants ranging from CAD 25,000 to CAD 100,000 help develop, renovate, and improve tourism facilities, cultural infrastructure, shared artist spaces, visitor centres, and public art projects that enhance community development and visitor experiences.

Infrastructure Improvement Fund

Funding Summary

• Funding Organization: Government of Nunavut
• Program: Infrastructure Improvement Fund
• Location: Nunavut, Canada
• Grant Amount: CAD 25,000–CAD 100,000 per project, per year (where applicable)
• Funding Purpose: Arts, culture, and tourism infrastructure development
• Applicant Contribution:
  • Individual artists: Minimum 10% of eligible project costs
  • Other eligible applicants: Minimum 20% contribution (cash, equity, or eligible in-kind support)
  • Tourist accommodation businesses: Minimum 50% cash contribution (in-kind contributions are not eligible)

About the Program

The Infrastructure Improvement Fund supports projects that improve Nunavut’s arts, cultural, and tourism infrastructure. The program invests in facilities and community assets that enhance visitor experiences, support local artists and cultural organizations, and encourage sustainable tourism development throughout the territory.

The fund is intended to strengthen local economies by improving tourism-related infrastructure, creating attractive public spaces, supporting cultural industries, and increasing opportunities for community engagement. Through strategic infrastructure investments, the program contributes to long-term economic growth while showcasing Nunavut’s unique cultural heritage.

Program Objectives

The Infrastructure Improvement Fund aims to:

• Strengthen Nunavut’s arts, culture, and tourism sectors.
• Improve tourism infrastructure and visitor experiences.
• Support community-based cultural development.
• Enhance facilities for artists and cultural organizations.
• Encourage sustainable economic development.
• Improve community assets that attract visitors.
• Promote public art and community beautification.
• Increase the long-term value of Nunavut’s tourism industry.

Priority Areas

Funding supports projects in the following priority areas:

New or Upgraded Arts, Culture and Tourism Infrastructure

Support the construction, renovation, or improvement of facilities that benefit Nunavut’s cultural and tourism sectors.

Community Visitor Centres

Develop or upgrade visitor centres that provide information and services for tourists.

Welcome Displays at Nunavut Airports

Create or improve airport welcome displays that showcase Nunavut’s culture and provide an enhanced visitor experience.

Shared Arts Studio Spaces

Establish new shared artist studios or renovate existing collaborative creative spaces.

Community Beautification

Support projects that improve public spaces and contribute to attractive, welcoming communities.

Public Art Installations

Design, manufacture, and install public artworks that celebrate Nunavut’s culture and identity.

Eligible Activities

Examples of eligible projects include:

• Construction of new tourism infrastructure.
• Renovation of existing cultural facilities.
• Safety upgrades for visitor facilities.
• Development of shared artist workspaces.
• Community beautification initiatives.
• Installation of public art.
• Visitor centre improvements.
• Airport welcome display projects.
• Tourism facility enhancements.
• Infrastructure improvements supporting cultural industries.

Funding Information

Funding ranges from CAD 25,000 to CAD 100,000 per project, per year where applicable.

Eligible expenses include:

• Capital improvements to visitor facilities.
• Tourism infrastructure development.
• Construction and renovation costs.
• Building safety upgrades.
• Manufacturing and installation of public displays.
• Materials and equipment directly related to the project.
• Travel expenses directly associated with eligible project activities (travel cannot be the primary purpose of the funding request).

Applicant Contribution Requirements

Applicants must provide matching contributions as follows:

• Individual artists: Minimum 10% contribution toward eligible project costs.
• Municipalities, nonprofit organizations, societies, and other eligible applicants: Minimum 20% contribution through cash, equity, or eligible in-kind support.
• Tourist accommodation businesses: Minimum 50% cash contribution. In-kind contributions cannot be counted toward this requirement.

Who Can Apply?

Eligible applicants include:

• Licensed tourist establishments that qualify as Nunavut Small Businesses.
• Municipalities incorporated under the Cities, Towns and Villages Act or the Hamlets Act.
• Societies with cultural tourism objectives.
• Not-for-profit organizations supporting cultural tourism or cultural industries.
• Artists operating shared studio spaces.
• Artists planning to establish shared studio spaces.

Applicants must be Nunavut residents.

Required Application Documents

Applications should include:

• Completed application form.
• Detailed project description.
• Project implementation timeline.
• Project budget.
• Supplier quotations where applicable.
• Expected project outcomes.
• Social and economic benefits.
• Organizational background.
• Legal status documentation (where applicable).
• Project rationale.
• Management plan.
• Supporting cost documentation.
• Environmental impact information.
• Letters of support or confirmation of other funding (if available).
• Additional documents requested during assessment.

Ineligible Expenses

The Infrastructure Improvement Fund does not support:

• Transfer of existing infrastructure.
• Refinancing existing infrastructure.
• Costs already funded through another government program.
• Costs already financed through non-government funding programs.
• Travel as the primary purpose of the funding request.

Why This Program Matters

Strong cultural and tourism infrastructure helps communities attract visitors, create employment opportunities, preserve local heritage, and support creative industries. By investing in community facilities, artist workspaces, visitor services, and public spaces, the Infrastructure Improvement Fund contributes to sustainable economic development while promoting Nunavut’s unique cultural identity.

How to Apply

Follow these steps to submit an application:

1. Confirm that you meet the eligibility requirements.
2. Identify an eligible infrastructure project.
3. Develop a detailed project plan and implementation timeline.
4. Prepare a realistic project budget and obtain supplier quotations where required.
5. Gather all supporting documents, including legal and organizational information.
6. Demonstrate the project’s social, cultural, tourism, and economic benefits.
7. Show how matching contribution requirements will be met.
8. Submit the completed application with all required documentation before the application deadline.

Tips for Applicants

• Clearly demonstrate how the project benefits Nunavut communities.
• Explain the long-term value of the infrastructure investment.
• Include realistic timelines and budgets.
• Obtain detailed supplier quotations.
• Highlight expected tourism and cultural impacts.
• Provide strong evidence of community support.
• Clearly identify matching funding sources.
• Address any potential environmental considerations.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Submitting incomplete applications.
• Missing required quotations or budget details.
• Failing to meet applicant contribution requirements.
• Requesting funding for ineligible activities.
• Using travel as the primary project purpose.
• Providing unclear project outcomes.
• Omitting supporting documentation.
• Requesting funding for projects already financed through other programs.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Infrastructure Improvement Fund?

It is a Government of Nunavut funding program that supports infrastructure projects benefiting the territory’s arts, culture, and tourism sectors.

How much funding is available?

Eligible projects may receive between CAD 25,000 and CAD 100,000 per project, per year where applicable.

Who can apply?

Eligible applicants include Nunavut-based municipalities, licensed tourism businesses, nonprofit organizations, societies, and artists establishing or operating shared studio spaces.

Are matching contributions required?

Yes. Contribution requirements vary depending on the applicant type, ranging from 10% to 50% of eligible project costs.

What types of projects receive funding?

Projects supporting visitor centres, public art, shared artist studios, tourism infrastructure, community beautification, airport welcome displays, and cultural facilities are eligible.

Can travel costs be funded?

Yes. Travel expenses directly related to an eligible project may be included in the budget but cannot be the primary purpose of the funding request.

What expenses are not eligible?

The fund does not support refinancing existing infrastructure, transferring infrastructure ownership, or costs already covered through other government or non-government funding programs.

Conclusion

The Infrastructure Improvement Fund provides valuable financial support for projects that strengthen Nunavut’s arts, culture, and tourism infrastructure. By funding visitor facilities, shared artist spaces, public art, community beautification, and cultural infrastructure improvements, the program helps create stronger communities, enhance visitor experiences, support local economic development, and preserve Nunavut’s rich cultural heritage for future generations.