Deadline: 14-Aug-2026
The Petro-Canada CareMakers Foundation National Grants Program is an annual funding opportunity designed to support registered Canadian charities working to improve the experiences and outcomes of family caregivers.
The program recognizes the important role family caregivers play in Canada’s healthcare and social support systems. It provides financial support for projects that identify caregiver challenges, develop solutions, and create resources that can benefit caregivers across multiple communities.
The program supports initiatives focused on:
- Improving the lives and well-being of family caregivers
- Addressing systemic challenges faced by caregivers
- Supporting caregiver-focused research and knowledge development
- Creating practical tools, resources, and programs
- Developing scalable solutions that can benefit caregivers throughout Canada
Purpose of the National Grants Program
The primary goal of the program is to create meaningful and sustainable improvements for family caregivers.
The Foundation supports organizations that are working to:
- Understand and address barriers experienced by caregivers
- Increase awareness of caregiver needs
- Develop evidence-based programs and services
- Encourage innovation in caregiver support
- Share knowledge and best practices with communities across Canada
The program encourages projects that have national relevance and can create positive outcomes beyond a single community or region.
Why Family Caregiver Support Matters
Family caregivers provide essential support to loved ones who may be aging, living with disabilities, experiencing illness, or requiring ongoing assistance.
Many caregivers face challenges such as:
- Emotional stress and burnout
- Limited access to support services
- Financial pressure
- Lack of recognition and resources
- Difficulty balancing caregiving responsibilities with work and personal life
By supporting caregiver-focused organizations, the National Grants Program helps develop solutions that improve caregiver health, resilience, and access to essential resources.
Who Is Eligible?
Organizations applying for the Petro-Canada CareMakers Foundation National Grants Program must meet specific eligibility requirements.
Eligible applicants must:
- Be registered Canadian charities
- Have family caregiver support as a central part of their mission
- Demonstrate experience working with caregivers or caregiver-related issues
- Have the organizational capacity to deliver impactful projects
- Develop initiatives that can benefit caregivers across multiple Canadian communities
Applicants should demonstrate that their proposed projects have broader relevance and can create meaningful impact beyond a single group or location.
Eligible Project Areas
The program supports projects that contribute to improving caregiver experiences across Canada.
Examples of eligible initiatives may include:
- National caregiver support programs
- Research projects focused on caregiver challenges
- Educational resources for caregivers
- Digital tools and platforms that improve caregiver access to information
- Training programs for caregiver support organizations
- Awareness initiatives that highlight caregiver needs
- Innovative approaches to caregiver services and resources
Projects should demonstrate clear outcomes, measurable impact, and the potential for long-term benefits.
Grant Amount and Funding Timeline
The Petro-Canada CareMakers Foundation National Grants Program provides:
- Funding amount: Up to $300,000 per eligible organization
- Funding type: Single-year grant
- Funding period: Projects must be completed within the approved funding year
Grant funding cannot be extended beyond the approved project year.
Organizations are encouraged to plan for:
- Project sustainability after funding ends
- Long-term impact
- Continued access to resources and services
- Future opportunities for expansion or partnership
How the Grant Program Works
The National Grants Program follows a structured application and review process.
The general process includes:
- Identify an eligible caregiver-focused project
Organizations should develop projects that directly address challenges faced by family caregivers and demonstrate national relevance.
- Review eligibility requirements
Applicants should confirm that their organization meets all requirements before preparing an application.
- Prepare a detailed project proposal
The proposal should explain:
- The caregiver issue being addressed
- The project goals and objectives
- The planned activities
- Expected outcomes and impact
- How the project benefits caregivers across Canada
- The organization’s ability to successfully deliver the initiative
- Submit the grant application
Eligible organizations submit their applications according to the Foundation’s annual grant process.
- Application review and funding decision
Applications are evaluated based on factors such as:
- Alignment with caregiver support goals
- Project impact
- Innovation and effectiveness
- Organizational capacity
- Ability to create lasting change
- Deliver and evaluate the funded project
Successful applicants use the funding during the approved grant year and measure project outcomes.
How to Prepare a Strong Application
Organizations can improve their applications by focusing on clear goals, measurable results, and caregiver impact.
Recommended preparation steps include:
- Clearly define the caregiver problem being addressed
- Explain why the issue requires attention
- Provide evidence or research supporting the need
- Describe how the project will create measurable improvements
- Show how the solution can benefit caregivers across different communities
- Include a realistic implementation plan
- Explain how the project can continue creating value after funding ends
Common Application Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid common issues that can weaken a proposal.
Common mistakes include:
- Submitting projects that only benefit a small group or individual
- Failing to demonstrate national relevance
- Providing unclear project goals or outcomes
- Not explaining how caregivers will benefit
- Requesting funding for activities outside the program’s purpose
- Ignoring long-term sustainability planning
- Submitting applications without sufficient organizational capacity information
Activities Not Supported by the Foundation
The Petro-Canada CareMakers Foundation National Grants Program does not fund certain types of activities.
The program does not support:
- Advertising activities
- Professional sports organizations, teams, or groups
- Endowment funds
- Fundraising campaigns or fundraising events
- Event sponsorships
- Assistance provided to a specific individual caregiver or family
- Religious activities or programs
Faith-based organizations may apply only when their programs are:
- Secular in nature
- Open to all participants regardless of religious beliefs
- Not dependent on participation in a specific faith
Impact of the National Grants Program
The program helps strengthen Canada’s caregiver support network by investing in organizations that create practical solutions.
Supported projects can help:
- Increase caregiver access to resources
- Improve caregiver knowledge and confidence
- Reduce barriers to support services
- Encourage collaboration among caregiver organizations
- Generate research and insights into caregiver needs
- Build stronger communities for caregivers and families
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the Petro-Canada CareMakers Foundation National Grants Program?
The Petro-Canada CareMakers Foundation National Grants Program is an annual funding initiative that supports registered Canadian charities developing projects to improve the lives of family caregivers across Canada.
How much funding can organizations receive?
Eligible charities can apply for a single-year grant of up to $300,000 to support caregiver-focused projects.
Who can apply for the grant?
Registered Canadian charities with family caregiver support as a central part of their mission can apply. Organizations must also demonstrate the ability to deliver projects that benefit caregivers across multiple communities.
What types of projects receive funding?
The program supports initiatives related to caregiver research, education, resources, tools, awareness, and innovative solutions that address challenges faced by family caregivers.
Can funding continue beyond one year?
No. Grants are awarded for a single approved funding year and cannot be extended beyond that period. Organizations should consider sustainability when designing their projects.
Are individuals or families eligible to receive funding?
No. The program does not provide funding assistance to individual caregivers, families, or specific individuals. Funding is awarded to eligible charitable organizations.
Can faith-based organizations apply?
Yes, but only for secular programs that are open to everyone and do not require participants to follow a particular religion or participate in religious activities.
Conclusion
The Petro-Canada CareMakers Foundation National Grants Program provides important financial support for Canadian charities working to improve the lives of family caregivers. By funding innovative projects, research initiatives, and practical caregiver resources, the program helps organizations create lasting solutions to the challenges faced by caregivers nationwide.
Eligible charities can use this opportunity to develop impactful programs that strengthen caregiver support systems, improve access to resources, and contribute to meaningful change across Canada.
For more information, visit Petro-Canada CareMakers Foundation.