Grant and Funding Programs Offered by Sons of Norway Foundation in Canada (SONFIC)

Sons of Norway Foundation in Canada’s mission is to preserve Norwegian heritage and culture in Canada while providing financial support for education and humanitarian causes. It does this by raising funds and distributing bursaries and grants to Canadian students, lodges, affiliate groups and qualified non-profit organizations.

Sons of Norway Foundation in Canada (SONFIC) is a Foundation.

Sons of Norway Foundation in Canada (SONFIC) was founded in 1971-08-06.

Sons of Norway Foundation in Canada (SONFIC)'s official website is https://www.sonfic.ca/.

Role of Sons of Norway Foundation in Canada in the funding ecosystem

Sons of Norway Foundation in Canada (SONFIC) is a federally incorporated Canadian charitable foundation created in 1971 to support educational, cultural and humanitarian initiatives connected to Norwegian and broader Nordic heritage. Guided by the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act and Canada Revenue Agency rules, the foundation collects donations and bequests and redistributes these funds through a structured portfolio of bursaries and grants.

The foundation’s General Fund finances programs that assist Canadian post-secondary, certificate and apprenticeship students, as well as cultural and recreational activities led by Sons of Norway lodges, affiliate groups and other non-profit organizations. Funding is explicitly limited to Canadian individuals, organizations and lodges, reinforcing its national scope.

Main funding streams and target audiences

• Post-secondary and vocational bursaries – Support for undergraduate studies at Canadian universities and colleges, as well as certificate and trade or apprenticeship programs. Awards normally have standard amounts and an individual can receive multiple awards up to a defined limit.
• International study bursaries – Dedicated bursaries for attendance at Norwegian institutions such as Folkehøgskole and the University of Oslo International Summer School, helping Canadian students deepen their language and cultural knowledge in Norway.
• Cultural grants for lodges and affiliate groups – Grants that help Sons of Norway lodges and related groups cover costs for heritage and cultural events, workshops and community activities that promote Norwegian traditions in Canada.
• Grants to non-profit groups – On-application grants to other Canadian non-profit societies or groups, allowing donors to channel gifts to qualified organizations and projects that align with the foundation’s objects and CRA rules.
• Specialized named grants – Programs such as the Tormod Rekdal Cultural Grant, Lysne Rosemaling Grant and Bjarne & Karel Thorshaug Grant, which focus on skills training, rosemaling art, and classes or workshops in Norwegian language, history and culture.

General eligibility and application process

SONFIC administers its programs through standardized application forms (e.g. CF001, CF002, CF003, CF004, CF005, CF008, CF009, CF010) available as PDFs on its website. Most grant programs operate with four annual deadlines (March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 15), while specific study bursaries such as Folkehøgskole and ISS bursaries have dedicated annual cut-off dates. Many cultural and non-profit grants require a follow-up report (Form CF007) within about 60 days of project completion, including a basic financial summary, before future applications are considered.

Governance, transparency and history

Incorporated under Part II of the Canada Corporations Act in 1971 and continued under the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act in 2013, the foundation is overseen by a volunteer Board of Directors elected by Voting Membership holders, which are primarily Canadian Sons of Norway lodges and affiliate groups. The board elects officers such as President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer, and no salaries are paid to directors. Bylaws are approved by members at the Annual General Meeting and filed with Corporations Canada.

AGM documentation, including agendas, minutes, bursary lists and officer reports, is published on the website, providing insight into annual allocations and program evolution. Over five decades, the foundation has grown from an initial $40,000 endowment from a charter flight program to a fund base exceeding $600,000, with investment earnings used to sustain and expand its bursary and grant offerings.

Supported communities and overall impact

SONFIC primarily serves members of Sons of Norway in Canada, their lodges and affiliate groups, but many programs are also open more broadly to eligible Canadian individuals and non-profit organizations. By funding education, cultural training, language learning and community heritage activities, the foundation plays a distinctive role in preserving Norwegian culture and strengthening Nordic-Canadian community life while providing tangible financial support to students and cultural organizers across the country.