Closed
Source verified September 27, 2026
Climate focus area
Support for climate solutions in Canada
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Latest source updateLast Update: July 9, 2026Latest change: The Climate pages now show updated funding guidance, a renamed Sector Building stream, and a smaller 2025 Climate contribution total of $6.6M.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: July 9, 2026
Latest change: The Climate pages now show updated funding guidance, a renamed Sector Building stream, and a smaller 2025 Climate contribution total of $6.6M.
Climate focus updated
The For applicants page now says the Capacity Strengthening stream is renamed Sector Building, removes the separate Montreal-based organizations funding stream, and adds that projects must align with funding priorities and take place in Canada. The Climate focus area page now shows $6.6M in contributions for 2025, down from $9.93M in 2024, and supported 73 organizations instead of 76. Its featured project examples were also replaced, shifting the visible signals about current climate priorities within the same overall focus area.
Funding available
Varies by project
Deadline
Unspecified
Location
Montréal, Quebec, Canada
Who can apply
Qualified Canadian donees, such as registered charities and municipalities.
See full eligibility
Overview
McConnell Foundation’s Climate focus area allocated $6.6 million in 2025 to support organizations advancing an equitable transition to a net-zero carbon economy in Canada. It supports climate mitigation solutions, projects that empower Indigenous, racialized and otherwise marginalized groups, and climate finance initiatives.
Receipt of requests is now closed
Get notified about updates to this grant.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Increase social or community impact
- Improve governance or administrative structure
Eligible Funding
- Varies by project
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Montréal
- Quebec
Legal structures
- Non-profit
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Environment
- Economic, Social and Community Development
- Civic and Advocacy Organizations
- Diversity and Inclusion
Target groups
- General public
- Children & youth
- Young adults
- Indigenous peoples
- Nonprofits / charities
- Community leaders
- Low-income individuals / families
- Minority groups
Revenue structures
- 100% donations / grants
Scope
- National
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Availability timeline
2026
Periods: 1
Activities funded
- Creating the conditions to decarbonize high-emitting sectors in Canada and maintaining public support for climate action.
- Climate mitigation solutions in sectors that are hard to decarbonize, such as aviation, shipping, and heavy industry.
- Projects, programs, and policies that reduce energy poverty, including large-scale energy-efficient retrofits of non-profit housing and the construction of new net-zero non-profit buildings.
- Indigenous leadership and economic development, youth leadership and participation, and a diverse and skilled Canadian workforce for the net-zero economy.
- Regulatory oversight of climate risk disclosure, strategic litigation, implementation of Canada’s green and transition taxonomy, and policies aligning investments with climate science.
Documents Needed
- Brief preliminary form including six questions about the project and four about the budget.
- Detailed form including questions related to the chosen area of interest.
- Excel-format budget to upload to the portal.
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Qualified Canadian donees, such as registered charities and municipalities.
- Non-profit organizations.
- Unrecognized donees, as defined by the CRA.
Who is not eligible
- For-profit organizations, except in rare cases.
- Organizations or projects based outside Canada.
- Private schools.
- Projects mainly for academic research.
- Projects mainly for religious or partisan political activities.
Eligible expenses
- Project costs for multi-year climate initiatives.
- Budgeted revenues and expenses for the proposed work.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- General fundraising campaigns, including staff salaries dedicated to fundraising activities.
- Deficits, capital or operating shortfalls, ongoing operating costs, or frontline service delivery.
- University, college, or hospital endowments.
- The organization of a conference, workshop, or seminar, unless directly related to focus areas and supporting equity-denied or underrepresented groups.
- The providing of training, scholarships, or subsidies.
Eligible geographic areas
- Canada
Selection criteria
- Alignment with the selected focus area.
- Contribution to system change and root-cause solutions.
- Potential impact for the targeted communities or sectors.
- Clarity of partnerships, evaluation, and project scope.
- Approach to diversity, inclusion, and accessibility.
Processing and Agreement
- Stage 1 short proposals are reviewed first.
- Applicants are usually informed about Stage 2 eligibility within about one month.
- Our staff then reviews the Stage 2 application and reaches out for a phone call to kick off due diligence.
- The assigned staff member is the point of contact during due diligence.
- The due diligence period for Stage 2 applications usually lasts three to five months.
Additional information
- Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis for focus area funding, while Sector Building initiatives are currently proactive in nature and not accepting applications at this time.
- A short-form application is the first stage for focus area funding.
- Applicants may be invited to a detailed second-stage proposal.
- Virtual office hours are available for project-fit questions.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Climate focus area Program
What is the Climate focus area?
McConnell Foundation’s Climate focus area allocated $6.6 million in 2025 to support organizations advancing an equitable transition to a net-zero carbon economy in Canada. It supports climate mitigation solutions, projects that empower Indigenous, racialized and otherwise marginalized groups, and climate finance initiatives.
Who is eligible for the Climate focus area program?
To be eligible for the Climate focus area program, you must:
Aligned with a focus area
Project must be in Canada
Submitted through the portal
What expenses are eligible under Climate focus area?
Creating the conditions to decarbonize high-emitting sectors in Canada and maintaining public support for climate action.
Climate mitigation solutions in sectors that are hard to decarbonize, such as aviation, shipping, and heavy industry.
Projects, programs, and policies that reduce energy poverty, including large-scale energy-efficient retrofits of non-profit housing and the construction of new net-zero non-profit buildings.
Indigenous leadership and economic development, youth leadership and participation, and a diverse and skilled Canadian workforce for the net-zero economy.
Regulatory oversight of climate risk disclosure, strategic litigation, implementation of Canada’s green and transition taxonomy, and policies aligning investments with climate science.
Who can I contact for more information about the Climate focus area?
You can contact The J.W. McConnell Family Foundation (MCF) or by phone at 514-288-2133.
Where is the Climate focus area available?
The Climate focus area program is available Montréal, Quebec.
Is the Climate focus area a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Climate focus area is a Grant and Funding
Who are the financial supporters of the Climate focus area?
Climate focus area is funded by The J.W. McConnell Family Foundation (MCF)