COVID-19 | National | Regional | Government | PathFinder | Online Education | Announcements | Subscribe
COVID-19 Funding Opportunities
Current COVID-19 funding opportunities are available on our website.
National Funding Opportunities
Youth Employment Initiatives Funded
RBC Future Launch
RBC Future Launch is a ten-year $500 million commitment to help Canadian youth prepare for the jobs of tomorrow. RBC Future Launch funds programs that target young people in their transitional years, specifically ages 15 to 29. Supported programs should focus on one or more of the following solution areas: providing equitable access to work-integrated learning experiences; building long-term sustainable partnerships to address the skills gap; or harnessing the knowledge and goodwill of Canadians using social media, mentorships, and other resources to guide young people to opportunities. Programs should also target young people from diverse communities. Registered charities are eligible to apply. There is no deadline to apply; all applications for grants greater than $100,000 should be discussed with an RBC Donations Manager prior to being submitted. Funding guidelines and the online application form are available on the RBC website.
Program Facilitates Donations for Canadian Charities
PayPal Giving Fund Canada
PayPal Giving Fund Canada helps people support their favorite charities online and raises funds to benefit charities through PayPal and other technology platforms. The Fund receives donations and make grants to its donors' recommended charities. Charities may participate by enrolling with the Fund. Supporters then donate on PayPal and other online platforms, including Facebook, GoFundMe, Humble Bundle, and Deed. The Fund receives the donations, provides receipts to donors, and grants the funds to charities without charging for its services. Any Canadian charity registered with the Canada Revenue Agency and with a confirmed charity account with PayPal can enroll with the Fund. Charities may enroll at any time. Visit the Fund’s website to review the list of common questions, which includes information on the enrollment process.
Support for Organizations Empowering Women in Canada and the U.S.
Aura Cacia: Positive Change Project
Aura Cacia's Positive Change Project supports organizations in Canada and the U.S. that are committed to helping women and girls facing difficult life situations make transformational improvements in their lives. Grants support organizations and programs that 1) provide resources and services directly to women and girls who face substantial barriers to sustaining their commitment to positive change; 2) enable disadvantaged women and girls to become more stable and self-sufficient; 3) employ strategies to help women and girls live healthfully and purposefully; 4) reinforce positive self-image, self-respect, and self-confidence in women and girls; and 5) create opportunities for women to drive curriculum or programming that can be applied to program development and mentoring other women. Nonprofit organizations and grassroots groups serving women and girls in the Canada and the U.S. are eligible to apply. The application deadline is September 30, 2021. Visit the Aura Cacia website to download the 2022 grant guidelines and apply online.
Competition Funds Carbon Measurement Technologies
World Wildlife Fund Canada: Nature x Carbon Tech Challenge
World Wildlife Fund Canada (WWF-Canada) is a science-based conservation organization working to conserve species at risk, protect threatened habitats, and address climate change. Through the Nature x Carbon Tech Challenge, WWF-Canada is seeking cost-effective, innovative, and user-friendly technologies to support community-led carbon measurement of nature-based climate solutions in Canada. The focus is on technologies that measure carbon in terrestrial and coastal ecosystems in the following categories: Biomass, Soils, and Ecosystems. Up to five finalists will receive a $25,000 grant to support their participation in the validation phase, access to the Microsoft Global Social Entrepreneurship Program, and a Microsoft Canada executive coaching opportunity. Up to three final award recipients will receive a contract valued at up to $100,000. The Challenge is open to registered nonprofits, registered charities, academics affiliated with an accredited post-secondary institution, co-operative nonprofits, public sector or for-profit entities, collaboratives, and multi-sectoral projects based in Canada. Proposals may be submitted online starting on September 7, 2021, and will be accepted through November 2021. Visit the WWF-Canada website to review the FAQs and pre-register for the Challenge.
Regional Funding Opportunities
Support for Parks and Recreation Initiatives in New Brunswick and Quebec
Hydro Flask: Parks for All
Parks for All, the charitable giving program of Hydro Flask, supports nonprofit organizations focused on building, maintaining, restoring, and providing better access to parks. In 2021, applications are being accepted from organizations in New Brunswick and Quebec in Canada, the U.S., and selected European countries. Applying organizations must be dedicated to building, restoring, maintaining, or providing public access to parks and recreational public lands or beaches and coastal areas. Grants are provided in the following categories: New Parks, for the completion of trail miles, park infrastructure, or other similar outcomes; Park Maintenance/Restoration, for initiatives focused on caring for and improving outdoor spaces to improve recreation experiences; and Park Access/Education, for initiatives that break through the barriers faced by Black, Indigenous, people of color, Latinx, Asian, women, LGBTQIA2S+, and disabled communities in outdoor experiences. Projects must be focused on supporting people’s connection with the outdoors for recreation and health benefits. Applications from Canada must be submitted by September 10, 2021. Visit the Hydro Flask website to apply online.
Grants to Teach Water Safety in the Northwest Territories
NWT Recreation and Parks Association: Swim to Survive and Water Safety Grants
The NWT Recreation and Parks Association (NWTRPA) works with communities across the Northwest Territories to promote recreation by supporting leaders, communities, and partners through training, advocacy, and networking. Swim to Survive and Water Safety grants are available to teach water safety in the community. Swim to Survive grants assist organizations in hosting one Swim to Survive event at a Regional Aquatics Training Centre in Inuvik, Yellowknife, Fort Smith, and Hay River. Water Safety grants are available for organizations to host three physically distant Water Smart learning events in their community. The application deadline for both programs is October 1, 2021. Visit the NWTRPA website to apply online.
Funds for Alberta Infrastructure Projects Fostering Active Lifestyles
Alberta Blue Cross: Built Together
Alberta Blue Cross' Built Together healthy communities grant program provides support to help Albertans build spaces for active living in their communities. Grants support infrastructure projects that foster active living, including but not limited to, outdoor adult gyms, cycling paths, playgrounds, skate parks, and outdoor rinks. Priority will be given to projects that promote active living and wellness at a grassroots community level, with a particular emphasis on children. In 2021, four grants of $50,000 will be awarded and split by region (one in a rural community, one in an Indigenous community, and two split between Calgary, Edmonton, and a secondary city). Alberta-based community leagues, school councils, municipalities, or other nonprofit community groups or organizations with new projects in need of funding are eligible to apply. Applications must be submitted by September 30, 2021. The 2021 Built Together Application Package may be downloaded from the Alberta Blue Cross website.
Support for Initiatives Promoting Equity and Diversity in Saskatchewan
Multicultural Council of Saskatchewan
The Multicultural Council of Saskatchewan (MCoS) seeks to raise awareness of the benefits of cultural diversity and the dangers of racism. MCoS programs and support are focused on five Multicultural Streams of Work: Cultural Continuity, Celebration of Diversity, Anti-Racism, Intercultural Connections, and Integration. Grants are provided to members through the following programs: Through Strategic Initiatives, MCoS invests in projects, events, and festivals that fulfill the MCoS mission and contribute to at least one of the five streams. The deadline to apply for this program is September 15, 2021. MCoS Sponsorships enable organizations to support activities that promote the MCoS mission and at least one of the five streams of multicultural work while offering opportunities to raise MCoS' public profile in a positive manner. Sponsorship applications are accepted throughout the year. MCoS Microgrants were created to assist members, especially small and volunteer-run organizations, to respond to pandemic restrictions and transition to online work. Microgrant applications are accepted throughout the year. Multicultural Education Initiative (MEI) grants are awarded to schools and school boards for classroom and professional development projects that support anti-racism, reconciliation, diversity, and cultural education outcomes and promote the understanding, respect, appreciation, acceptance, and celebration of all people as equally valuable in society. MEI applications must be submitted by October 30, 2021. Visit the MCoS website to learn more about the Multicultural Streams of Work and funding programs.
Government Funding Opportunities
Indigenous Arts Activities Funded
Canada Council for the Arts
The Indigenous Organizations component of Creating, Knowing and Sharing supports First Nations, Inuit, and Métis organizations that engage in contemporary, customary, or traditional artistic and cultural activities. These activities can include non-Indigenous artists and collaborations with non-Indigenous organizations. Grants fund the exploration of innovative strategies for Indigenous creative and cultural expression, and related administrative activities. First-time applicants must speak with a Creating, Knowing and Sharing program officer before applying to this component. The upcoming application deadlines for are September 22 and December 8, 2021.
Funding Targets Francophone Communities in Western Canada
Western Economic Diversification Canada
The Economic Development Initiative (EDI) provides financial support to projects that encourage economic diversification, business development, innovation, partnerships, and increased support for small- and medium-sized enterprises in official language minority communities (OLMCs). Projects must serve a Francophone clientele from OLMCs in Western Canada and target one of the following sectors: economic diversification and development (including trade and investment), economic immigration, the green economy, youth, and tourism. Applications are accepted throughout the year; applicants must first contact their local Francophonie Economic Development Organization or get in touch via email.
Tracks to Success
Feature articles focused on a particular grantmaker or philanthropic trend
The Balance of Power in Knowledge Creation
by Sid Davis
The old saying goes that knowledge is power. But before knowledge exists, its creation is power. Not long ago very few non-Asian Americans knew that Japanese Americans were imprisoned in internment camps during World War II. The existing power dynamic, which devalued the Japanese American community, allowed the unflattering fact of the forced relocation and confinement of thousands of U.S. citizens to be virtually omitted when the history of the war was written in the years immediately afterward. It appeared in few if any books. Discussing and teaching it was fiercely resisted—and continues to be. The Trail of Tears, the Rosewood Massacre, the Tulsa Massacre, and the Wilmington Coup are similar examples. Knowledge and power, and how the two are intertwined, crucially impact our societies and the world.
PathFinder: Featured Resource
A library of quality resources designed to help you develop your career path as a grants professional
International Conference on Sustainable Development 2021
Is your organization working to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)? If so, you may want to attend the free International Conference on Sustainable Development (ICSD) 2021, which will be held online from September 20 to 21, 2021. The ICSD provides a forum for academia, government, civil society, UN agencies, and the private sector to come together to share practical solutions to achieve the SDGs. This year's theme is "Research for Impact: An Inclusive and Sustainable Planet."
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.
How to Find & Craft Powerful Nonprofit Stories
Finding and crafting a story that evokes emotion takes time AND help from others. In this webinar, Lori L. Jacobwith will teach you how to inspire your friends and colleagues to come up with compelling stories that can help you raise more money. If you've ever thought—our staff doesn't help me find good stories to share—this session is for you. You'll discover whom to talk to and what key questions to ask to uncover powerful stories. By the time this webinar is over, you will: 1) learn the true definition of a mission moment and identify at least one from your organization; 2) identify your own clear, bold, communication for crafting your mission moment story; and 3) receive a template used by thousands to craft your own powerful two-minute story. This webinar will be held on Thursday, September 9, 2021, and will benefit fundraising and communication staff, as well as board members.
Power Writing for Grants
...and More Fast and Easy Tools for Writing
Clear, compelling writing is vital to all your on-the-job writing projects—not just grant proposals. In this fast-paced hands-on webinar, Maryn Boess will offer simple, powerful techniques that will have you writing more clearly, quickly, and confidently right away. Our focus: Presenting your message in a way that makes it as easy as possible for your reader to understand—so you get the results you want. Topics in the webinar include:
- the big myths and misconceptions that could be sabotaging your writing without your even knowing it;
- three fundamental strategies for writing so clearly your reader cannot possibly misunderstand your message;
- key techniques and tools to help you organize your material for maximum impact;
- ten steps for busting through the deadly 12-12-12 scenario and bringing your writing to life;
- figuring out who your readers are, what do they need from you, and how do you make sure you deliver; and,
- advice from the top writing pros on editing, proofreading, and revising.
BONUS resource: Everything Else You Always Wanted to Know About Good Writing (But Never Had the Chance to Ask). This webinar will be held on Wednesday, September 15, 2021.
Balancing Work and Life (NEW)
How to Balance Your Passion and Commitment Toward Your Nonprofit Work With Your Desire to Live a Holistic, Fulfilling Life
When you are nearing the last days of your life, do you want to look back and see a career, or do you want to see a life? Why is it that you can schedule time for work meetings, but it is so difficult for you to schedule time for the people who really matter to you in your life? Dr. Anthony Silard will examine the most common causes of burnout among executives and then share some time-tested strategies for sustaining your passion and motivation in your work while also developing healthy, meaningful relationships with your family, friends, partner, and self. In this session, you will learn how to reduce the stress and pressure in your life and, ultimately, how to balance your quest for both success and happiness. The session will blend psychology, philosophy, spirituality, personal development, organizational development, and leadership into accessible, transformational strategies that enable you to balance ambition with appreciation. You will leave with concrete, personalized strategies to take care of others while also taking care of yourself and the people you love. This seminar will be held on Thursday, September 16, 2021.
GrantStation Announcements
The latest updates from GrantStation
Funding Alerts
More funding opportunities are featured on the GrantStation homepage. Click here to see the grantmakers spotlighted this week!
Information contained in the GrantStation Canadian Insider may not be
posted, reprinted, redistributed, or sold without permission.
Editor: Diana Holder
Contributing Writer: Ashlyn Simmons