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COVID-19 Funding Opportunities
Program Facilitates COVID-19 Response in Indigenous Communities
Indigenous Services Canada: Indigenous Community Support Fund
The Indigenous Community Support Fund will provide Indigenous leadership with the flexibility needed to design and implement community-based solutions to prepare for and react to the spread of COVID-19 within their communities. These funds could be used for measures including, but not limited to, support for Elders and vulnerable community members, measures to address food insecurity, educational and other support for children, mental health assistance and emergency response services, and preparedness measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. There is no deadline to apply. Visit the Indigenous Services Canada website to learn more about the Fund.
Research on COVID-19 Health Surveillance Funded
Social Sciences Research Council: Just Tech COVID-19 Rapid Response Grants
The Social Science Research Council (SSRC), as part of its Just Tech program, seeks proposals from across the social sciences and related fields that address the risks, opportunities, and challenges posed by public health surveillance stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. Proposals that interrogate the role the public and private sectors may play in mitigating or exacerbating the health crisis are specifically encouraged. The grants will support innovative research projects that deploy remote research methods to shed light on both the short- and potential long-term implications of public health interventions for a range of rights, liberties, and public goods. Researchers from any part of the world—based at both academic and nonacademic institutions—who hold a PhD in any social science discipline or related interdisciplinary field are eligible to apply. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, with the first period of review beginning on August 31, 2020. Visit the SSRC’s website to review the call for proposals.
Support for Grassroots Projects in Alberta Communities
ConnectFirst Credit Union and the Calgary Foundation: Stepping Stones Grants
In response to the COVID-19 health crisis, ConnectFirst Credit Union has partnered with the Calgary Foundation to fund grassroots citizen-led projects in eligible communities. Grants of up to $1,000 are provided for community building projects such as food hamper programs for vulnerable neighbors, grassroots outreach activities to isolated community members, and virtual gatherings that help people feel part of their neighborhoods and communities without leaving their homes. Eligible communities consist of Calgary, Banff National Park, Canmore, Rocky View County, the Municipal Districts of Big Horn, Foothills, Kananaskis, and Wheatland, and the surrounding First Nations of Treaty 7 territory. Support is also provided in any community served by a Connect First Credit Union, including First Calgary Financial, Legacy Financial, Mountain View Financial, and Chinook Financial. Applications are accepted and reviewed on a continuous basis. Visit the Credit Union’s website to download the Stepping Stones Guidelines.
National Funding Opportunities
Funds Increase Access to Organic Food in Canada and the U.S.
Simply Organic Giving Fund
The Simply Organic Giving Fund helps organizations across Canada and the United States to nourish the food insecure in communities by providing access to healthy, organic food options. The Fund supports programs that promote access to organic food options or utilize and distribute organic food and meals. Applications must be submitted online by September 30, 2020. Visit the Simply Organic website to download the 2021 Grant Guidelines.
Animal Welfare Projects and Training Supported
Animal Welfare Foundation of Canada
The Animal Welfare Foundation of Canada works to advance the well-being of animals across Canada. The Foundation is currently accepting applications for the following programs: Public Lectures funding is provided to universities across Canada for lectures related to animal welfare that are promoted to the general public as well as the student body. The deadline to apply is September 15, 2020. Animal Welfare Organization Grants support projects that improve and advance animal welfare policies and practices; increase public awareness, understanding, and engagement in key animal welfare issues and solutions; and enhance and protect the well-being and habitats of domestic, farm, or wild animals. Letters of intent for this program must be submitted by September 30, 2020. The Dr. Carol Morgan Memorial Award supports continuing education and training-related costs in the areas of ethics or animal welfare for Canadian veterinarians working to increase the application of these subjects within the profession broadly. Award applications must be submitted by October 15, 2020. Student Animal Welfare Clubs grants support the activities of animal welfare clubs at Canadian universities. The deadline to submit a proposal for this program is November 1, 2020. Details on each of these programs are available on the Foundation’s website.
Grants Target Health and Social Services in Canada
The Georgina Foundation
The Georgina Foundation provides support across Canada in the areas of social services and physical and mental health. Grants ranging from $200 to $2,000 are awarded to registered charities to support women, children and youth, persons with disabilities, seniors, and established food banks. Funding is considered for special projects, equipment, and programs. Requests for funding must be received by September 30, 2020. Visit the Foundation’s website to download the application form.
Funding Promotes Social Justice in Canada and Abroad
Unifor: Social Justice Fund
Unifor, Canada's largest private sector union, is dedicated to promoting social justice in Canada and around the world. The Social Justice Fund promotes and supports the role of trade unions and workers groups in their efforts to strengthen democracy, promote equitable development, and contribute to poverty reduction, social justice, and education reform. Support is provided in Canada and worldwide; up to 30 percent of the money generated by the Fund supports Canadian projects such as food banks, women’s shelters, and youth and community programs. Proposals must be received by September 14, 2020. Visit the Unifor website to download the Social Justice Fund Booklet and review the guidelines for submitting proposals.
Regional Funding Opportunities
Support for Environmental Initiatives in the Pacific Northwest
Bullitt Foundation
The mission of the Bullitt Foundation is to safeguard the natural environment by promoting responsible human activities and sustainable communities in the Pacific Northwest. The Foundation’s geographic focus is the Emerald Corridor—specifically, the region stretching from Portland, Oregon to Vancouver, British Columbia (bordered by the Cascades on the east). Within that geographic range, priority is placed on projects and initiatives that promote sustainability within the three major metropolitan regions anchored by the cities of Vancouver, British Columbia; Portland, Oregon; and Seattle, Washington. Funding is provided for projects in following program areas: Regional Ecosystem Health; Energy, Climate, and Materials; Deep Green Buildings; and Resilient Cities, Healthy Communities. Canadian applicants must have a Canadian Certificate of Incorporation and charity registration documents to be eligible. The upcoming deadline to submit a letter of inquiry is September 15, 2020; invited grant applications are due by November 1, 2020. Visit the Foundation’s website to review the FAQs and the guidelines for each program.
Grants Advance Social Justice Education in Alberta
Aspen Foundation for Labour Education
The Aspen Foundation for Labour Education works to educate young Albertans about the social and economic issues in communities, both locally and globally. The Foundation offers grants of up to $1,500 to help schools fund innovative projects that develop student engagement and leadership in social justice activities. Projects may focus on issues related to the following: 1) empathy, compassion, and community development; 2) intercultural education and racial and ancestral studies; 3) sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender equity; 4) poverty elimination; 5) workplace structures, rights, and safety; 6) peace, global education, and solidarity; and 7) environmental sustainability. The deadline to apply is October 6, 2020. Visit the Foundation’s website to download the 2020 application guidelines and forms.
Funds for Salmon Conservation in the Yukon Territory and Alaska
Yukon River Panel: Restoration and Enhancement Fund
The Yukon River Panel (YRP) makes recommendations to management entities on both sides of the U.S./Canada border concerning the conservation and management of salmon originating in Canada. The Restoration and Enhancement Fund supports programs that focus on the restoration, conservation, and enhancement of Canadian-origin salmon stocks, as well as the stewardship of salmon habitat and resources and maintaining viable fisheries in the Yukon River in Canada. Support is provided in the Yukon Territory in Canada and Alaska in the U.S. Up to $1.2 million in funding will be available through the current call for proposals. Applications must be received via email by October 1, 2020. Visit the YRP website to download the 2021 Restoration and Enhancement Fund call. For other opportunities to apply for funding to support the conservation and management of salmon in the US and Canada, visit the Pacific Salmon Commission website.
Funding Available for Indigenous Arts in British Columbia
First Peoples' Cultural Council: Indigenous Arts Program
The First Peoples' Cultural Council is a First Nations-run Crown Corporation with a mandate to support the revitalization of Indigenous languages, arts, culture, and heritage in British Columbia. The Council is currently accepting applications in the following areas: The Indigenous Arts Program provides support for community arts infrastructure projects, sharing traditional arts across generations, arts administrator internships and mentorships, individual Indigenous artists, and unforeseen opportunities. The Indigenous Music Initiative provides funding to expand capacity in the Indigenous music recording industry and support emerging Indigenous music industry professionals. Within these areas, support is provided through several programs. Applications for Arts Micro-Grants are accepted on a rolling basis; the deadline to apply for all other programs is September 15, 2020. Visit the Council’s website to learn more about the funding programs.
Government Funding Opportunities
Research on the Digital Economy Supported
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council
Knowledge Synthesis Grants support the synthesis of existing research knowledge and the identification of knowledge gaps on the topic of “Skills and Work in the Digital Economy.” Thematic areas of interest include Education and training: Skills, competencies and lifelong learning; Work and the worker: Innovation and engagement; The workplace: Workspaces and interpersonal relationships; Society: Changing social dynamics; Governance: Regulations and ethics; and Geopolitical considerations: Local, regional and global contexts. Applications may be submitted by an individual researcher or a team of researchers who are affiliated with an eligible Canadian institution. The application deadline is September 3, 2020.
Challenge Promotes Innovation in Alberta’s Agriculture and Forestry Sectors
Emissions Reduction Alberta
The Food, Farming, and Forestry Challenge aims to accelerate innovation in support of long-term competitiveness and stimulate growth in the critically important agriculture, agri-food, fiber, and forestry sectors in Alberta. Funding of up to $5 million per project and up to 50 per cent of total project costs will be awarded. Proposals may be submitted by farmers, ranchers, innovators, technology developers, Indigenous communities, industry, industrial associations, small and medium-sized enterprises, research and development organizations, universities, municipalities, nonprofit organizations, government research labs, and individuals. Applications must be submitted by August 27, 2020.
PathFinder: Featured Resource
A library of quality resources designed to help you develop your career path as a grants professional.
Digital Activism Organizing: Tools, Tactics, and Training to Stand Together While Apart
Has the COVID-19 pandemic forced you to rethink your organization's approach to community organizing? If so, you may want to attend TechSoup's online session "Digital Activism Organizing: Tools, Tactics, and Training to Stand Together While Apart," which looks at online and offline organizing with digital organizing tools and tactics that don't have to break the bank. The panel discussion features speakers from Income Movement, Fair Count, and TechSoup Italia. (This is Session 1 of a half-day virtual event. Participants may also register for Session 2, "Women Social Entrepreneurs in Civic Tech: How Voices of Women Help Us Advance Democracy," and Session 3, "Online Community Organizing Workshop for Nonprofits.")
Upcoming Online Education Trainings
Live Webinars
Unless otherwise noted, all Online Education Trainings are webinars,
are 90 minutes in duration, and are scheduled to begin at 2 PM Eastern Time.
Capital Campaigns: Building Momentum With Grants
Capital campaigns are strategic, multidimensional efforts to raise funds, typically for multimillion-dollar projects like new buildings. Understanding the vital role grants play in building capital campaign momentum and meeting campaign goals is an important piece of funding strategy. In this webinar, Kevin Wallace, president of CampaignCounsel.org, and Carlyn Runnels, CampaignCounsel.org consultant, will show you how to identify and apply for grants best matched to your campaign, use grants to build momentum and credibility, and leverage grants to increase campaign participation. Using numerous examples from 20 years of capital campaign consulting, this webinar is ideal for any sized organization currently conducting a capital campaign or standing on the cusp of one. The webinar will be held on Thursday, August 13, 2020.
How to Fund Your Arts Education Programs (NEW)
You know your organization's arts education programs make an indelible impact in your community, and yet winning grants for these programs isn't always an easy task. Fundraising for an arts organization presents its own set of unique challenges—but knowing where to look for funders and what approach to take can make all the difference. In this webinar, Elevate's Deputy Supervising Director of Grant Writing, Ava Knox, will share the tools, knowledge, and guidance you need to write a winning grant proposal for your arts education program—all of which she gleaned after spending over a decade as a performer, teaching artist, and fundraiser with nonprofit organizations in both California and the DC region. Specifically, we'll walk you through how to find and secure arts funding; the different types of funding, plus the pros and cons of pursuing each one; tips for cultivating and persuading arts funders; how to leverage arts partnerships; and an overview of grant strategy, and how to write a winning proposal. The webinar will be held on Thursday, August 20, 2020.
Strategic Planning 101 (NEW)
This course offers a step-by-step guide on how to develop a strategic plan for a nonprofit organization. Discover how to pull the right team together, brainstorm effectively, develop the vision, and articulate a plan that can be implemented over time. Mindy Muller, President/CEO of Community Development Professionals, LLC, will review the key concepts of external and internal vision, mission, and core values and how those concepts set the foundation for identifying activities for the next three to five years. Participants will be challenged to develop action items to apply learned concepts within their respective organizations. During this webinar, participants will 1) understand the need for planning for long-term sustainability; 2) identify concepts of vision, mission, core values, and strategic plan and application toward long-term growth and sustainability; 3) acquire knowledge of methodology to develop a long-term strategy for an organization; and 4) recognize the value of the planning team and how to convene the right team for the organization.. The webinar will be held on Thursday, August 27, 2020.
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Editor: Diana Holder
Contributing Writer: Ashlyn Simmons