Applications open for Métis Cultural Development Fund – Canada

Deadline: 28-Sep-23

The Métis Cultural Development Fund (MCDF), now offered in partnership with Gabriel Dumont Institute, supports community-based activities and initiatives that preserve, strengthen and transmit Métis culture and traditions.

Objectives

• The MCDF program objectives are to:
  • support and strengthen Métis culture and communities through arts and heritage activity in Saskatchewan;
  • mentor and build cultural leadership skills in Métis Communities;
  • increase employment opportunities for Saskatchewan-based Métis arts and heritage resource peoples;
  • support engagement in Métis cultural activity at the individual, group, and community level;
  • support the development of Métis identity through research, documentation and/or sharing;
  • benefit children through skills development, mentorship, and having fun; and
  • encourage gathering, sharing, learning, celebrating and developing Métis culture in Métis communities aimed at building long-term cultural awareness, retention and pride.

Priorities

• Priority will be given to projects that:
  • provide significant opportunities to meet the purpose of the MCDF grant;
  • deliver relevant cultural activities based on cultural impact, accessibility and service to communities;
  • have significant youth involvement and/or contribute significantly to participation in intergenerational cultural activity;
  • demonstrate strong partnerships and community support;
  • take place in the province’s northern and/or rural or otherwise underserved communities; and
  • are supported by clear project plans and budget detail.

Funding Information

• The maximum request amount is $10,000 towards eligible project expenses.

Eligibility Criteria

• For Applicant:
  • Eligible Applicants are:
    • Registered Non-Profit organizations in Saskatchewan with priority to Métis-led organizations. Organizations that are not Métis-led may still apply, but evidence must be provided to clearly outline the extent of Métis access and leadership in the delivery of the proposed activities. All non-profit organizations must:
      • have a primarily cultural mandate in Arts, Heritage, Multiculturalism or Cultural Industries as defined by SaskCulture’s Cultural Policy, or otherwise demonstrate significant engagement in cultural activity;
      • be in existence as a registered non-profit for at least one full fiscal year. If your organization has been incorporated for less than a year, please contact the SaskCulture consultant to discuss options;
      • be in good standing with Information Services Corporation (ISC) and have no outstanding grant follow-ups due to SaskCulture; and
      • provide a signed copy of the organization’s annual financial statement that was most recently submitted to the ISC to show evidence of good standing as a non-profit organization in Saskatchewan.
    • Note: Organizations receiving Annual Global Funding are not eligible to apply. OR
    • A Métis Local or Municipality that must:
      • be in good standing with the Sask Lotteries Community Grant Program; and
      • have no outstanding grant follow-ups due to SaskCulture.
• For Project:
  • Projects must directly address the purpose and priorities of this funding program.
  • All funds are to be used for the benefit of Métis cultural development in Saskatchewan and for residents in Saskatchewan.
  • Applicants can access only one MCDF grant at a time. o If the applicant already has a current open MCDF grant wrapping up during the time of application or an incomplete/overdue Follow-up Report (FUR) for any SaskCulture grant, a new application will be accepted for consideration, but if approved, payment will not be made until the open grants are completed.
  • Applicants may not apply to multiple SaskCulture funding programs to support the same activity for the same time frame.
  • Start Date: Eligible start dates for this round must be eight (8) weeks after the grant deadline.
  • End Date: All projects must be completed within one (1) year of the start date; however, if your plans need to change, please contact the Consultant as soon as possible.

For more information, visit SaskCulture.