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Canada Cultural Investment Fund - Endowment Incentives
Supports arts organizations by matching private donations to endowment funds
Last Update: May 28, 2026
Funding available
$ 5,000 - $ 1,500,000
Timeline
- Closing date : December 1, 2026
Location
Quebec, 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
- Quebec
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
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
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
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Canada Cultural Investment Fund - Endowment Incentives. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.
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 (PCH) 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 the province of Quebec.
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