GrantStation Canadian Insider - December 2023

Application deadline: January 31, 2024
Geographic scope: The U.S. and Canada
Grant amount: Grants range up to $10,000. (The average grant is $5,000.)
Description: The Alpha Gamma Delta Foundation’s Fighting Hunger Grants support nonprofit organizations throughout the United States and Canada that fight hunger in communities. Grants are focused in the following strategic areas: direct food assistance or food distribution in communities, food rescue, and nutrition education related to food assistance. Eligible applicants include U.S. 501(c)(3) organizations and Canadian nonprofit organizations whose mission is related to fighting hunger, rescuing food, addressing food insecurity, providing hunger relief in local communities, or providing nutritional education as it relates to food assistance.

Application deadline: Applications will be accepted from February 12 to March 1, 2024.
Grant amount: Community-Based Support Projects range up to $25,000. Signature Grants and Indigenous Truth and Reconciliation Signature Grants are $50,000.
Description: The Canada Post Community Foundation awards grants to Canadian schools, charities, and community organizations that make a difference in the lives of children and youth in Canada, up to the age of 21. The Foundation supports projects in the areas of 1) community, including projects that support better futures for children through social services, arts, and culture; 2) education, including therapeutic and rehabilitative programs; and 3) health, including projects that support the health and physical activity of children from vulnerable communities or with disabilities or illnesses. Three types of grants are available. Grants for Community-Based Support Projects are awarded to projects that increase the capacity of an organization by creating or expanding services. Signature Grants support the overall work and mission of national organizations that deliver programs or support to Canadian children and youth. Indigenous Truth and Reconciliation Signature Grants are available to Indigenous regional or local organizations offering programming anchored in the principles of Indigenous truth and reconciliation that support Indigenous children and youth across the country.

Application deadline: January 12, 2024
Grant amount: Grants range up to $400,000 annually for national projects and up to $200,000 annually for provincial or local/community projects. 
Description: The goal of the Future Generations Foundation is to help First Nations and Métis people and communities address the impacts of the Indian residential school system, and to create meaningful opportunities that improve the quality of life for First Nations and Métis people in Canada. The Foundation’s Group/Organization Call for Applications provides single or multi-year funding for a wide range of programs aimed at education, healing and reconciliation, and cultural knowledge building. Registered charities and qualified donees, including First Nations and Métis communities and organizations, cultural centers, educational institutions, societies, foundations, associations, and friendship centers are eligible to apply. Visit the Foundation’s website to review the FAQs and download the How to Apply Toolkit. 

Application deadline: January 21, 2024
Grant amount: Up to $25,000
Description: ViiV Healthcare Canada’s Community Education and Service Grants program supports projects related to access to treatment and treatment optimization to improve the quality of life and outcomes for people living with HIV (PLHIV). Priority will be given to two focus areas: 1) encouraging improved dialogue between PLHIV and healthcare professionals, and 2) integrating peer-delivered support and peer navigation within clinical care. Considerations will also be made for grants that are proposing education and support programs that work to adapt the care pathway during COVID/post COVID, to link patients to healthcare and treatment.

Application deadline: 
Sustaining Program for Professional Arts Organizations: February 1, 2024
Annual Operating Program for Professional Arts Organizations: February 15, 2024
Professional Project Grants Program: March 15, 2024
Geographic scope: Newfoundland and Labrador
Description: The mission of ArtsNL (Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council) is to foster and promote the creation and enjoyment of the arts. ArtsNL supports the following artistic disciplines: dance, film, music, theatre, visual arts, writing, and multidiscipline. The following ArtsNL grant programs are currently open for applications: The Sustaining Program for Professional Arts Organizations is available to professional nonprofit arts organizations that develop and grow the arts of Newfoundland and Labrador. Grants support administration, operating, and production/presentation costs. The Annual Operating Program for Professional Arts Organizations is available to professional nonprofit organizations to support the costs involved in operating the organization and creating, presenting, or producing artistic works including artist and technician fees, venue rentals, administration cost, and travel expenses. The Professional Project Grants Program supports the creation or presentation of works of art in an eligible discipline. Grants support project costs related to creation, production, administration, travel, professional development, etc. Visit the ArtsNL website to learn more about these and other grant programs. 

Application deadline: January 31, 2024
Geographic scope: Ontario
Grant amount: $25,000
Description: Hydro One’s Energizing Life Community Fund aims to energize life and build safer and more resilient Ontario communities. The Fund supports projects that focus on the physical, psychological, and emotional safety of Ontarians. Indigenous communities, registered charities, nonprofit organizations, and municipal community groups with operations in Ontario are eligible to apply. Applicants must be committed to cultural diversity in their communities through programs, services, and funding. (Hydro One also offers donations and sponsorships.)

Application deadline: Applications will be accepted from February 12 to March 8, 2024.
Geographic scope: Quebec
Description: The La Capitale Foundation aims to contribute to the well-being of people in need in Quebec. The Foundation awards grants for projects in the following categories: autism, with the goal of contributing to the well-being of persons with autism and their families by supporting both children and adults; vulnerable seniors, backing initiatives that provide support and adequate care to seniors, particularly those who are vulnerable and isolated; and individuals with intellectual disabilities of all ages, including their families.

Application deadline: Applications will be accepted from January 1 to February 28, 2024.
Geographic scope: Saskatchewan
Description: The Saskatchewan REALTORS Association provides support to registered charitable organizations in Saskatchewan through the Saskatchewan REALTORS Care Grant Program. The Association provides support for the following activities: providing shelter-related services; enhancing environmental sustainability, protection, and conservation of natural areas; promoting safer neighborhoods and improved community services; enhancing and promoting community development and better opportunities for at-risk populations; and supporting populations and disadvantaged citizens. 

Application deadline: January 31, 2024
Geographic scope: Canada (except Quebec)
Description: The national settlement and resettlement funding call for proposals funds settlement and resettlement service provider organizations across Canada, outside of Quebec, which provide critical services to newcomers. This year’s call includes investments to support truth and reconciliation objectives, to provide a Francophone integration pathway for French‑speaking newcomers outside Quebec, and to enhance programming and fund organizations that serve racialized communities, 2SLGBTQI+, and other underrepresented people. Support is also provided for service delivery improvement.

Application deadline: January 15, 2024
Geographic scope: Canada
Description: The Youth Substance Use Prevention Program, based on the Icelandic Prevention Model (IPM), aims to prevent substance use harms among youth by using a collaborative approach focused on building protective factors that promote overall health and well-being. These factors include healthy relationships, safe environments, and school and community connectedness. Through the current call, funding is available through the Incubator and Capacity Building Stream, which is focused on supporting communities with building their capacity to implement the IPM.

Are you a nonprofit professional or board member looking for a helpful management book? If so, you may want to read How to Save the World in Six (Not So Easy) Steps: Bringing Out the Best in Nonprofits. Written by Columbia Law School scholar and nonprofit leader David M. Schizer, this book is a definitive guide to advancing the missions of nonprofit organizations effectively and mobilizing support.

Webinar date: December 18, 2023, 2:00 to 2:45 PM Eastern Time
Description: The sting of not securing a grant, especially after investing time and the collective efforts of your team, can feel disheartening and deeply personal. During this TargetED, Alice Ruhnke will show you what to do when you don’t get funded. You’ll walk away ready to turn rejection into an opportunity for growth so you can continue to help your organization fulfill its mission.

Webinar date: December 19, 2023, 2:00 to 3:30 PM Eastern Time
Description: There are unique differences between capacity building grants and regular, programmatic grants that you must understand if you want to write a successful proposal. During this webinar, Alice Ruhnke will define and discuss the fundamentals of capacity building grant proposals. She will introduce you to a practical approach with examples based on real experiences.

Webinar date: January 8, 2024, 2:00 to 2:45 PM Eastern Time
Description: AI can help your organization increase its productivity. As a writing assistant, it can help streamline your work so you can complete grant proposals in less time. But in order to harness the power of AI, you need to understand its strengths and weaknesses. During this TargetED, Alice Ruhnke will provide you with a broad overview of the AI landscape so you’re more familiar with this emerging technology. You’ll walk away with a better understanding of AI so you can properly consider whether to use these tools within your organization. (This session is part of a full TargetED series: AI for Nonprofits.)

Alice Ruhnke

Do you know that great feeling you get when you connect with people and organizations that share your passions? For me, this remarkable feeling has been a constant companion throughout my journey with GrantStation, spanning more than two decades. I've had the privilege of wearing various hats during this time: first as a nonprofit with a GrantStation Membership, then as an Online Education Instructor, and now as a proud member of the leadership team.

Throughout this time, GrantStation’s commitment to leveling the playing field for all nonprofits has resonated with me. This vision acknowledges the diversity among nonprofits, each with its own strengths and challenges. Achieving equity in the nonprofit sector is a complex endeavor. Our commitment to being "affordable on purpose" is a practical approach to realize this vision. By keeping expenses lean and maintaining a budget without unnecessary frills, GrantStation ensures that its high quality services remain accessible to organizations with limited financial resources.

I am deeply grateful that every day I get to experience that incredible feeling of connection with individuals and organizations that share this sense of purpose. From the GrantStation staff and board of directors to our Members and partners, these human connections not only enrich my life but also provide opportunities for collaboration and personal growth. Together, we will continue to work towards a more equitable and inclusive nonprofit sector, where every organization can make a meaningful impact on society. Please reach out to me to talk about ways we can partner, resources we can build, online education we can provide, or anything else about grantseeking and proposal writing.