Deadline: 22-Feb-24
The Department of Canadian Heritage has announced the Organizational Capacity Building — Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Program to provide funding to eligible applicants to build and strengthen their internal capacity to meet the objectives of the Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Program (MARP).
Objectives of the 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 (MARP) supports the mandate of the Department of Canadian Heritage by building on Canada’s strength as a diverse and inclusive society.
Objectives and expected results for the Organizational Capacity Building component
- The objective of the Organizational Capacity Building (OCB) component is to provide funding to eligible applicants to build and strengthen their internal capacity to meet the objectives of the Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Program. Thus, OCB is intended to fund projects that will contribute to the recipient’s ability to advance anti-racism and promote intercultural and interfaith understanding, to provide equitable opportunities, to promote dialogue on multiculturalism and anti-racism, and to build understanding of disparities.
- This component specifically targets projects that build or strengthen an organization’s capacity to operate, and will help achieve one or more of the following expected results:
- improved financial management;
- stronger human resource capacity (both staff and volunteers);
- enhanced governing practices;
- increased partnership and networking abilities; and
- creation or improvement of strategic plans.
Funding Information
- The Organizational Capacity Building component’s maximum grant amount payable per recipient is $100,000 per initiative, while the maximum contribution amount payable per recipient is $250,000 per initiative.
- In exceptional cases, they can fund up to a maximum of $500,000 of eligible expenses.
Duration
- You may request funding for a project spanning more than 12 months.
- The duration of your project cannot go beyond March 31, 2026.
Eligible Projects
- To be eligible for funding your project must contribute to both the Program’s objectives and the component’s expected results.
- This call for proposals provides funding for initiatives with a start date no earlier than August 1, 2024 and that will be completed by March 31, 2026.
- Eligible projects include initiatives that build or strengthen your organization’s capacity to operate in relation to financial management, human resources, governing practices, partnerships and networks, or strategic planning.
Eligible Activities
- Examples of eligible activities include, but are not limited to:
- Strengthening governing practices:
- supporting the development or enhancement of skills to increase an organization’s ability to promote diversity and inclusion;
- evaluating and improving board effectiveness or creating a board or governing body;
- governance training for board/steering committee members.
- Building financial management capacity:
- creating a fundraising plan;
- developing a planned giving campaign/program;
- developing and implementing an organizational strategic plan to streamline an organization’s resources or to coordinate or share resources with other organizations, or to expand the reach and efficiency of services.
- Investing in Human resources:
- enhancing employee technology literacy (the ability to use and understand technology);
- disseminating tools for learning and skills development of employees or volunteers.
- Developing partnerships, collaborating, networking:
- putting in place a client/stakeholder management software;
- building and improving partnerships to strengthen the organization’s network.
- Improving strategic planning:
- researching, conducting feasibility studies, or gathering data relevant to the organization’s mission;
- developing human resources strategies, a business plan, or an organizational strategic plan;
- developing a communication plan or communications tools to improve online presence;
- development of a website or social media accounts to improve access to information and services;
- development of an evaluation strategy to improve performance.
- Strengthening governing practices:
Eligibility Criteria
- To be eligible for funding, your organization or group must be a(n):
- Canadian not-for-profit organization, association, or unincorporated group;
- Indigenous not-for-profit organization (First Nations, Inuit, or Métis); or
- Indigenous government, band council or tribal council.
- Applicants that are not eligible for funding 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 which a pardon has been granted or 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;
- 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 their available resources. If your organization or group is eligible, submitting an application does not guarantee funding.
For more information, visit Department of Canadian Heritage.