How much funding can be received?

The Commemorate Canada grant offers funding for initiatives celebrating national significance, fostering pride and understanding of Canada's history, with eligible activities including educational components and monuments, and covers up to 100% of project-related costs, dependent on size and scope. Projects must highlight specific anniversaries, be national in scope, and be free and accessible to the public.

grant_single_labels|projects

The Commemorate Canada component of the Celebration and Commemoration Program supports projects that highlight anniversaries of national significance within Canada. These projects aim to enhance understanding and participation in Canada's shared history and national milestones.

Projects that relate to an anniversary of national significance.
Projects highlighting 25th, 50th, 75th, 100th or subsequent anniversaries in 25-year increments.
Projects that include an educational component and are national in scope.
Projects that are free and accessible to the public.
Projects involving monuments or commemorative plaques with required site agreements.

grant_single_labels|admissibility

To be eligible for the Commemorate Canada grant, your organization must meet the following criteria:

The applicant must be a Canadian not-for-profit organization, a for-profit organization with non-commercial projects, a public education establishment, or a provincial/territorial or municipal government institution.
Partnerships are allowed, but one organization must assume overall management responsibility.
Private individuals, political parties, and federal departments are not eligible, except for the Canada Place Corporation under specific conditions.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply

To be eligible for funding, your organization must be a:- Canadian not-for-profit organization: corporation, trust, cooperative, or unincorporated association;- Canadian for-profit organization (partnerships, trusts, joint ventures, etc.) whose proposed projects are non-commercial in nature;- Canadian public education establishment; or- Canadian provincial/territorial, municipal government and their institutions.Organizations may apply individually or as partners in a joint project. In the case of partnerships between eligible applicants, one of the applicants must assume the role and responsibility for the overall management and coordination of the project.The following are not eligible:- private individuals, and political parties; and- federal departments, their institutions and other portfolio agencies of the federal government (with the exception of the Canada Place Corporation for Canada Day celebrations, as per the amendment to the Canada Marine Act).

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply

This grant excludes certain companies and organizations due to their status or main activity. The restrictions ensure funds are directed towards entities capable of fulfilling the grant's commemorative objectives.

Private individuals and political parties.
Federal departments, their institutions, and other portfolio agencies of the federal government, with an exception for the Canada Place Corporation for Canada Day celebrations.
Organizations that do not meet the eligibility criteria set out in the guidelines.
Organizations whose projects are designed for fundraising purposes or intended to generate commercial advantage or profit.

grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses

Eligible expenses for the grant are those project-related expenses which can be either cash or in-kind and are crucial to the execution of the project.

Expenses related to education and outreach: educational materials, documentation, research, website development, travel, online exhibits, forums, conferences, plaques, and monuments (up to $10,000).
Promotional, marketing, and communication expenses, including translation.
Consultant and professional fees related to the project, including management, project coordination, and implementation services.
Expenses related to events and venues, including production costs, site and equipment rentals, artists’ and performers’ fees.
Ongoing administrative costs related to the project, not exceeding 15% of the total contribution, including salaries, benefits, administrative fees, bank and utilities charges.
Travel expenses within Canada, constrained by government business travel rates.

grant_eligibility_criteria|zone

This grant supports organizations that are based in Canada, including both non-profit and for-profit entities, as well as public education institutions and governmental bodies at the provincial, territorial, and municipal levels.

Organizations based in Canada.

grant_single_labels|criteria

The evaluation and selection of projects for the Commemorate Canada grant are based on a set of criteria aimed at ensuring the projects meet the program's objectives and have the capacity for successful implementation.

The funding application contains all the required information and is deemed complete.
The project meets Commemoration Canada's objectives, in both its impact and scope.
The anniversary and associated activities are relevant.
The budget is realistic and reasonable, with detailed expenses.
Revenue sources are diversified.
Partnerships are relevant and confirmed.
The applicant demonstrates that it has the capacity to carry out the project as proposed.
The project will reach a wide audience in both official languages of Canada.
The client’s track record.

grant_single_labels|register

Here are the steps to submit an application for this grant:

Step 1: Review Application Guidelines
Carefully read the application guidelines in their entirety to understand the program’s objectives and expected results.
Ensure your organization and project meet all eligibility requirements.
Step 2: Prepare Application Package
Complete the application form, ensuring it is fully and accurately filled out, signed, and dated.
Prepare a detailed project budget for each fiscal year of the project.
Provide signed financial statements from the previous fiscal year.
Complete a Direct Deposit Enrollment Request Form and provide a void cheque (if applicable).
Include a copy of the organization's letters patent or act of incorporation and by-laws (for new applicants).
Attach a list of board members and the organization’s most recent annual report (if applicable).
Gather letters of support (if applicable).
Step 3: Submit Application
Email the complete application package to commemorationcanada-commemoratecanada@pch.gc.ca.
Ensure the email is sent by 11:59 p.m. local time on the deadline date to be considered.
Step 4: Alternative Submission Methods
Mail, courier, or hand-deliver the application package to the Department of Canadian Heritage, ensuring it is postmarked or delivered by the deadline.
Contact the office if you wish to fax your application package.
Step 5: Confirmation and Follow-Up
Await confirmation of receipt from the program office, which should arrive within two weeks of submission.
Maintain a copy of the application for your records, including all correspondence with the program office.

grant_single_labels|otherInfo

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

You may be required to maintain records, documents, or other information for audits or evaluations for up to five years.
If a project receives $250,000 or more, an audited financial report is mandatory.
Failure to comply with funding agreement terms may result in repayment of funds.
Funding recipients must publicly acknowledge the financial support from the Government of Canada in both official languages.
The program supports the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion in project evaluation.
If activities occur on federal lands, the Impact Assessment Act provisions may apply.
Information submitted may be disclosed under the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act.
Organizations must ensure the project's alignment with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and Canada’s Anti-Racism Strategy.
Recipients are required to take steps to create a workplace free from harassment and discrimination.

grant_single_labels|contact

commemorationcanada-commemoratecanada@pch.gc.ca

819-997-0055

Apply to this program

Celebrate the Cultural Fabric of Canada with Grant Support

The Commemorate Canada grant provides financial assistance to organizations aiming to celebrate significant national anniversaries and historical events. This program is designed to enhance public knowledge and appreciation of Canada’s diverse cultural heritage.

In-Depth Overview of the Commemorate Canada Grant Program

The Commemorate Canada grant is part of the larger Celebration and Commemoration Program established to support and promote events of national significance. This carefully designed program aims to unite Canadians under the common banner of celebrating the diverse cultural, ethnic, linguistic, and geographic values that make Canada unique. A primary focus of Commemorate Canada is to provide financial support for projects that showcase key milestones, commemorations, and achievements pivotal in the narrative of Canadian history, ensuring these tales reach a broad audience across the nation.

The grant predominantly targets not-for-profit organizations, for-profit organizations conducting non-commercial projects, public educational institutions, and provincial or territorial government bodies. Projects should be creative, publicly accessible, and educational, covering national anniversaries such as 25, 50, 75, 100 years, or subsequent 25-year milestones, ensuring a broad reach that promotes unity and pride among Canadians.

Funding from Commemorate Canada aims to drive several key outcomes. These include fostering a heightened appreciation and understanding of the shared Canadian heritage, increasing opportunities for citizens to engage in historically significant festivities and activities, and recognizing notable contributions by people, events, and locations that have constituted Canada's story. This grants recognition is not merely a passive acknowledgment; rather, it is a call to action enabling Canadians to partake actively in events that encourage communal pride and connection.

Eligible projects might include educational exhibits, artistic performances, historical reenactments, digital projects like virtual tours and online resources, and the erection of memorial plaques or monuments. Each project must also be devoid of fundraising motives or the pursuit of commercial gain, aligning clearly with the program goals of inclusivity and public service.

The funding itself is thoughtfully structured to cover eligible expenses integral to successful project execution, such as educational material creation, marketing, venue and equipment rental, and professional consultancy fees. However, flexibility is granted to allocate resources efficiently while maintaining transparency and accountability as dictated by the contribution agreement. Financial audits and reporting are expected, ensuring the effective use of public funds, which could lead to an increased engagement of private and public partners, amplifying project impacts.

It is crucial for applicants to understand that while the funding offers a generous boost to facilitate these cultural and historical endeavors, the total government assistance should not exceed the total project costs, emphasizing sustainable budgeting and planning. The strategic dimension of the grant is to build a national momentum toward inclusion, equity, and diversity, reflecting Canada’s commitment to a society free from racism and discrimination. Ultimately, participating organizations must embody these values, providing a safe and inclusive environment both in their organizational practices and the proposed activities.

The Commemorate Canada grant thus stands as a vital opportunity for organizations dedicated to fostering a deep-rooted sense of belonging and national pride through enriching historical fact, fostering discussion, and perpetuating the enduring legacy of Canada's vibrant past. By aligning projects with the strategic objectives outlined by the program, applicants not only leverage government support but also contribute significantly to the cultural and historical tapestry of Canada, celebrating achievements and reflecting on the paths that define modern Canadian identity.