Role of the Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Program in the funding ecosystem
The Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Program (MARP), administered by the Department of Canadian Heritage, is a federal grants and contributions program that funds community-based initiatives across Canada. Through several components – Events, Projects and Organizational Capacity Building – MARP supports efforts to counter racism, hate and discrimination, foster ethnocultural diversity and inclusion, and strengthen intercultural and interfaith understanding.
The Events component provides grants and contributions for short-term public events such as intercultural and interfaith dialogues, educational activities, heritage month celebrations and artistic or land-based activities that bring different cultural, religious and ethnocultural communities together. These events must be open to the general public, create concrete opportunities for positive interaction and contribute directly to MARP’s anti-racism and inclusion objectives.
The Projects component funds longer-term community initiatives that address systemic racism, discrimination and hate, including calls focused on anti-racism and anti-hate. These projects aim to achieve sustainable change in organizations, systems and communities, particularly in sectors like arts, culture and heritage, and to improve conditions for Indigenous Peoples, Black communities and other racialized and religious minority communities.
The Organizational Capacity Building component supports internal development in eligible organizations, helping them strengthen governance, financial management, human resources, partnerships and strategic planning. By reinforcing organizational capacity, the program enables groups to better design and deliver anti-racism and inclusion initiatives.
Typical beneficiaries and eligible activities
Eligible applicants generally include Canadian not-for-profit organizations and associations, unincorporated community groups, small municipalities, Indigenous not-for-profit organizations, and Indigenous governments, band councils and tribal councils. Across its components, MARP supports activities such as community events, awareness campaigns, dialogues, training, research-informed initiatives and organizational development projects that align with Canada’s Anti-Racism Strategy.
The Events component clearly defines eligible and ineligible expenses, covering items like salaries, professional fees, travel within Canada, outreach and promotion, facility rental and administration costs within set limits. Funding amounts can reach up to $100,000 per event per fiscal year, and up to $200,000 over two years for recurring events, subject to program criteria and available resources.
General evaluation criteria and funding conditions
Applications are assessed competitively based on how well they advance program objectives, the clarity and rationale of the proposal, anticipated impacts on participating communities, budget integrity and value for money, and the applicant’s capacity to deliver the activities. The program reserves the right to target funding to specific priorities, such as countering hate, misinformation and polarization or strengthening social cohesion and belonging.
Funding is provided either as a grant or as a contribution, with associated reporting obligations. Recipients must submit final activity and financial reports, and may be required to provide interim reports. They must also acknowledge Government of Canada support in both official languages and comply with requirements linked to anti-racism, workplace well-being, official languages and transparency. Canadian Heritage may audit recipients or evaluate funded initiatives to ensure accountability and continuous improvement.
Supported audiences and overall impact
MARP places particular emphasis on equity-deserving communities, including Indigenous Peoples, Black communities and other racialized and religious minority communities, while recognizing intersectionality. By funding events, projects and capacity-building efforts, the program contributes to a more inclusive, socially cohesive and united Canada where diverse populations can participate fully in society and the economy and where systemic racism and hate are actively challenged.
