Deadline: 31-Mar-23
SaskCulture has launched the applications for the Multicultural Initiatives Fund (MIF) that aims to advance cross-cultural understanding and support work that aligns with the principles of Truth and Reconciliation in Saskatchewan by supporting projects encouraging people to share, learn, appreciate and respect cultural diversity.
Purpose
- MIF aims to advance cross-cultural engagement by supporting projects that encourage people to share, learn and engage in meaningful efforts that address the following Purposes:
- Anti-Racism work which engages in issues of power and privilege, and addresses individual and systemic discrimination. Anti-Racism includes active dialogue and action towards building equity and justice within cultural organizations and communities.
- Intercultural Connections work which entails sustained cross cultural engagement through activities like cultural exchanges, cooperative work between communities, creating safe spaces, community dialogues, creative projects and integration work for welcoming and inclusive communities.
- Truth and Reconciliation (TRC) projects that seek to implement a process of healing relationships that require public truth sharing, apology and commemoration to acknowledge and redress past harms towards implementing the TRC Calls to Action and Truth and Reconciliation efforts. Applicants are encouraged to identify who they are reconciling with and which Calls to Action they are seeking to address. For more information, visit SaskCulture’s Indigenous Awareness Hub.
- Cultural Retention work which supports the development and advancement of cultural practices and traditions internal to a particular cultural community. Indigenous communities are encouraged to apply to the Aboriginal Arts and Culture Leadership grant program for activity in this area.
- Celebration of Diversity work which supports the performances, displays, and expressions of ethno-cultural and Indigenous groups for the purposes of education and engagement with the broader community. Celebration of Diversity includes events such as festivals, cultural showcases, and performances that introduce cultural worldviews, expressions, creativity and innovation.
Priorities
- Priority will be given to projects that:
- Provide significant opportunities to meet the Purposes of the MIF-P grant program, with an emphasis on Anti-Racism, Intercultural Connections, Truth and Reconciliation, and Cultural Retention projects.
- Deliver relevant cultural activities that demonstrate significant opportunities for cultural impact, accessibility and service to communities.
- Provide strong evidence of partnerships and community engagement from cultural communities that are being focused on. It is the responsibility of the applicant to demonstrate that there is evidence of agreement, understanding, permission, consent and commitment from cultural groups who are identified within a project.
- Take place in the province’s northern and/or rural or otherwise underserved communities.
- Are led by equity-deserving communities and cultural organizations, or by organizations who demonstrate commitment to equity within their organizational structures with attention to diverse staff, board, experience and programming.
- Support cultural communities and groups who have had limited access to SaskCulture funding.
Note: Previously funded organizations that receive MIF-Project grants yearly will be prioritized based on the evidence of past impact provided in the application. Organizations already significantly funded by other Sask Lottery-supported grant programs may be a lower priority.
Funding Information
- Project funding up to a maximum of $15,000 with conditions. Please see the application guidelines for more information and examples of how eligible expenses are calculated.
Project Eligibility
- Projects must clearly meet one of the MIF Project Purposes to be considered for funding.
- All funds are to be used for the benefit of cultural development in Saskatchewan and for residents of Saskatchewan.
- Organizations and/or projects must address a community-identified need and demonstrate community involvement.
- Activities that use or present Indigenous cultural material, traditional knowledge or stories without demonstrated permission (supporting letters) from the community are not eligible.
- Applicants may only submit one application to MIF-Project per grant deadline.
- Applicants may not apply to multiple SaskCulture funding programs to support the same activity for the same time frame:
- Priority will be given to projects and organizations not already funded by other Lotterysupported grant programs
- Applicants can be approved for only one open MIF-Project grant at a time
- Priority will be given to projects that have not received a MIF Project grant in the previous year.
- If the applicant already has a current open MIF-Project 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. Contact SaskCulture for options.
- 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 year of the start date; however please contact the Consultant as soon as possible if your plans need to change.
Eligibility Criteria
- Eligible Applicants are:
- Registered Non-Profit organizations in Saskatchewan. These 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; and
- Have been in existence as a registered non-profit for at least one full fiscal year prior to the deadline date; and
- Be in good standing with Information Services Corporation (ISC); and
- Note: SaskCulture will purchase and download a copy of the most recent signed audited Financial Statement submitted to ISC for review and to provide to assessors; and
- Have no outstanding grant follow-ups due to SaskCulture. OR be a:
- First Nation or Municipality. The applicant must:
- Be in good standing with the Sask Lotteries Community Grant Program; and
- Have no outstanding grant follow-ups due to SaskCulture.
Ineligible Applicants
- Unincorporated community groups may consider forming a partnership with an eligible organization to meet the eligibility requirements for this grant program. Please consult with SaskCulture to discuss options.
- Schools and post-secondary institutions are ineligible for this grant program. Interested schools should inquire about:
- Artists in Schools program at SK Arts as an alternative to this grant program;
- Multicultural Education Initiatives through the Multicultural Council of Saskatchewan.
- Eligible Cultural Organizations (ECOs) are ineligible to apply. ECOs should include project ideas in their next Annual Global Funding application.
For more information, visit Multicultural Initiatives Fund.