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Canada Cultural Investment Fund - Endowment Incentives
Supports arts organizations by matching private donations to endowment funds
Last Update: June 5, 2026
Funding available
$ 5,000 - $ 1,500,000
Timeline
- Closing date : December 1, 2026
Location
Canada
Overview
The Canada Cultural Investment Fund – Endowment Incentives component provides matching grants of up to $1,500,000 per year per arts organization, at a maximum ratio of one dollar for every dollar of private donations raised. It supports not-for-profit professional arts organizations and associated public foundations in creating or growing endowment funds so they can strengthen long-term financial stability and support artistic activities through the income generated.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase social or community impact
- Improve governance or administrative structure
- Develop strategic partnerships
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 1,500,000 $
- Minimum amount : 5,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
Timeline
- Closing date : December 1, 2026
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Canadians
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Culture and Arts
- Grant-making Foundations
Target groups
- Artists / creatives
- Nonprofits / charities
Revenue structures
- Mixed revenue (<50% earned)
Scope
- Provincial
- National
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Creating a new endowment fund for a not-for-profit professional arts organization.
- Increasing an existing endowment fund through private donations and matching funds.
- Capitalizing funds in perpetuity to generate long-term investment income for the partner arts organization.
- Using endowment income to support regular operations or special initiatives.
Documents Needed
- Part 1 – Foundation Form and supporting documents
- Part 2 – Arts Organization Form and supporting documents
- Part 3 – Joint Terms and Conditions with authorized signatures
- Part 4 – Arts Organization – Resolutions of the Board of Directors with authorized signature
- Supporting financial statements, letters patent, by-laws, approval letters, and the Investment Policy
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Not-for-profit professional arts organizations
- Publicly registered charitable foundations
Who is not eligible
- Heritage organizations.
- Competitions.
- Arts service organizations.
- Cultural industries and their associations.
- Federal agencies, Crown corporations, provinces, territories, municipalities, and their agencies.
Eligible expenses
- Capital contributions from private donors and from the arts organization itself that are deposited into the associated foundation’s endowment fund and permanently capitalized.
- Reasonable and standard administration and investment management charges directly applied to the endowment fund, up to a maximum of 2% of the total grant amount received from the program.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Public funds from any level of government.
- Pledges, bequests in probate, and annual revenues from an existing endowment fund.
- Private donations already requested for matching or already matched through this or another government matching fund.
Eligible geographic areas
- Canada
Selection criteria
- Compliance with conditions from previously funded projects.
- Eligible amount requested compared with program funds available for the year.
How to apply
1
Review guidelines and contact program
- Contact the Department of Canadian Heritage for guidance
- Familiarize yourself with the most recent Application Guidelines
- Review summary of any new or revised requirements
2
Assess eligibility of applicants and funds
- Verify eligibility criteria for both the not-for-profit professional arts organization and the associated public foundation
- Ensure that both applicants meet all organizational and financial requirements
- Confirm only eligible donations and funds will be included
3
Prepare supporting documentation
- Gather all required supporting documents for both the foundation and arts organization
- Prepare financial statements, letters patent, by-laws, investment policy, and board resolutions
- Collect approval letters from eligible funding sources if applicable
4
Complete application forms
- Complete Part 1 – Foundation Form with supporting documents
- Complete Part 2 – Arts Organization Form with supporting documents
- Complete Part 3 – Joint Terms and Conditions with required signatures
5
Validate and finalize application package
- Review the entire application package for accuracy and completeness
- Ensure all sections are signed and every supporting document is included
- Validate calculation of eligible matching amount
6
Submit your application package
- Submit the application package electronically by email before the deadline
- Alternatively, send by mail or courier postmarked by the deadline
- Retain proof of submission for your records
7
Await results and possible follow-up
- Wait for acknowledgment of receipt from the Department of Canadian Heritage
- Monitor communications for requests for additional information or clarification
- Track processing timelines as specified in service standards
Processing and Agreement
- The application is reviewed for eligibility and matching amounts after submission.
- Funding is shared among eligible applicants on a ratio basis depending on available program funds.
- Receipt of the application is acknowledged within two weeks.
- Eligibility and funding decisions are final.
- The Joint Terms and Conditions and Funding Approval Letter serve as the funding agreement if approved.
Additional information
- Previous versions of the application forms will not be accepted.
- Applications can be submitted by email or by mail/courier, but only one method may be used.
- The program acknowledges receipt within two weeks of receiving the application.
- Funding decisions on eligibility and amounts are final.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Canada Cultural Investment Fund - Endowment Incentives Program
What is the Canada Cultural Investment Fund - Endowment Incentives?
The Canada Cultural Investment Fund – Endowment Incentives component provides matching grants of up to $1,500,000 per year per arts organization, at a maximum ratio of one dollar for every dollar of private donations raised. It supports not-for-profit professional arts organizations and associated public foundations in creating or growing endowment funds so they can strengthen long-term financial stability and support artistic activities through the income generated.
How much funding can be received?
Canada Cultural Investment Fund - Endowment Incentives Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $1,500,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the Canada Cultural Investment Fund - Endowment Incentives program?
To be eligible for the Canada Cultural Investment Fund - Endowment Incentives program, you must:
Joint application by arts organization and foundation.
Arts organization must be a registered charity.
Arts organization must show financial health.
What expenses are eligible under Canada Cultural Investment Fund - Endowment Incentives?
Creating a new endowment fund for a not-for-profit professional arts organization.
Increasing an existing endowment fund through private donations and matching funds.
Capitalizing funds in perpetuity to generate long-term investment income for the partner arts organization.
Using endowment income to support regular operations or special initiatives.
Who can I contact for more information about the Canada Cultural Investment Fund - Endowment Incentives?
You can contact Canadian Heritage by email at patrimoinecanadienfcic-canadianheritageccif@pch.gc.ca or by phone at 819-997-3955.
Where is the Canada Cultural Investment Fund - Endowment Incentives available?
The Canada Cultural Investment Fund - Endowment Incentives program is available across Canada.
Is the Canada Cultural Investment Fund - Endowment Incentives a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Canada Cultural Investment Fund - Endowment Incentives is a Grant and Funding