Deadline: 1-Jun-25
Parkinson Canada invites qualified and experienced organizations to submit applications for the development and implementation of local health, wellness, and educational initiatives that directly address unmet needs of people living with Parkinson’s and/or their care partners (CP).
This initiative aims to enhance the quality of life for those affected by Parkinson’s within diverse and underserved communities across Canada by empowering them with comprehensive support, education, and wellness resources.
Objectives
- To summarize, CARE Fund focuses on three key objectives:
- Bridging gaps in access to resources by funding programs that support individuals in remote or underserved areas.
- Promoting equity and inclusion by ensuring marginalized or underrepresented groups within the Parkinson’s community receive necessary support.
- Ensuring sustainability by funding initiatives that develop long-term strategies for ongoing program success beyond the grant period.
Focus Areas
- To be eligible for funding, programs must incorporate at least one of the following focus areas:
- Exercise Programming. Programs should provide education and activities designed by professionals with experience in various Parkinson’s exercise fields (i.e., dance, Tai Chi, adaptive fitness, etc.).
- Education & Skill Building Initiatives. Programs should empower individuals and their caregivers with both knowledge and practical tools for improved well-being.
- Mental Health & Parkinson’s. Programs should provide information and activities that provide support, and socialization that help improve the emotional, psychological, and social well-being of those affected by Parkinson’s.
Funding Information
- Parkinson Canada has allocated $100,000 for CARE Fund.
- Grants range from $5,000 to $25,000 for a one-year period.
- Grant period: September 1, 2025 – August 31, 2026
Eligible Expenses
- Parkinson Canada will support the following budget items:
- Program direct labor costs
- Speaker fees for education programs (cannot exceed 10% of total budget)
- Direct service instructor and/or facilitator fees
- Program direct material costs
- Marketing, printing, and promotion
- Food for educational/seminars
- Room rental for rural/underserved locations with no access to community centers/facilities (cannot exceed 10% of total budget)
- Participant fees (cost for participants to attend the program)
- Select supplies that can be used by participants (cannot exceed 5% of total budget)
- Participant transportation (cannot exceed 5% of total budget)
- Virtual meeting platform subscription (i.e. Zoom)
- Items related to “Train the trainer” efforts, including but not limited to; materials, sessions, technology, and ongoing support to ensure sustained impact and knowledge transfer for program longevity.
- Program direct labor costs
Ineligible Expenses
- Parkinson Canada will not support the following budget items:
- Salary costs for organization personnel. (Exception can be made where an employee is also directly involved in instructing or facilitating a session. In such instances, only the direct session costs will be considered eligible).
- Capital expenses (i.e. computers, furniture, building fixtures).
- Indirect costs (administrative, facility fees, facility rent (rental charges will be considered if all other options have been explored i.e partnership, donated space), utilities, insurance, and/or general office expenses).
- Exercise equipment (i.e. bikes, treadmills, weights, boxing equipment etc.).
- Publication or distribution of books or movie productions.
- Any programs outside of Canada.
Eligibility Criteria
- Organizations interested in submitting applications must meet the following criteria:
- Non-profit, other tax-exempt community-based organization or a registered business.
- Health and wellness facilities or organizations may be eligible if they are:
- a registered charity
- maintain financial records and file a tax return each year for the organization.
- For profit organizations may be eligible to apply on the condition that the proposed program is offered at no cost, and that the organization does not make a profit from the grant funds.
- Demonstrate a proven track record in designing and implementing integrated programs for individuals with Parkinson’s and their Care Partners, displaying expertise in addressing the multifaceted needs of the Parkinson’s community.
- Demonstrate a commitment to equity and diversity, fostering inclusivity and justice across all facets of their operations.
- Demonstrate strong organizational fiscal management and governance.
- Programs must meet the following criteria to qualify:
- Must be available within underserved communities in Canada with limited access to Parkinson’s specific programs and services. (definition of underserved is a populations or areas that lack adequate access to necessary resources, services, or opportunities, to support them in their Parkinson’s journey)
- Must fill gaps in existing programming in the Parkinson’s community.
- Be offered at low or no cost and be available to anyone in the Parkinson’s community.
- Demonstrate practices to ensure programs are accessible to PWPD.
- Must have sustainable plan to continue after grant is completed.
- Project must be delivered by September 2026.
For more information, visit Parkinson Canada.