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Community Initiatives Fund - Summer Grants

Summer funding for youth recreation programs

Offered by
Saskatchewan Ministry of Parks, Culture and Sport.
Official source: cifsask.org

Source change captured

Funding available
$ 7,500
Deadline
February 1, 2027
Location
Saskatchewan, Canada
Who can apply
Incorporated Saskatchewan nonprofit organizations in good standing with Information Services Corporation
See full eligibility

Overview

The Summer Grant Program supports incorporated Saskatchewan nonprofit organizations and municipalities, First Nations, health regions, schools, or school boards delivering standalone summer programs for children and youth under 18 in Saskatchewan, with a maximum of $7,500. Eligible activities include recreation, culture, mentoring, mental health supports, literacy and learning, plus salaries, supplies, and nutrition costs.

At a glance

Funding available

Maximum funding
$7,500
Financing goals
  • Develop a new program or service
  • Increase social or community impact
  • Enhance an existing program

Eligible candidates

Location
  • Saskatchewan
Eligible Industries
All industries
Annual revenue
All revenue ranges
Organisation size
All organization sizes
Audience
All groups
Legal structures
Non-profit, Public or Parapublic institution
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
Other Recreation and Social Clubs, Primary and Secondary Education, Social Services, Children and Youth Organizations
Target groups
Children & youth, Nonprofits / charities
Scope
Provincial

Receipt of requests is now closed

Get notified about updates to this grant.

Availability timeline

2026
Periods: 2

Latest changes

Summer Grant Guidelines and Portal Updated

The Summer Grant guidelines and online portal now show new application windows, revised submission steps, expanded eligible expenses, and updated contact information.

See more

The Summer Grant Program guidelines now show revised expense rules and support contact details, including eligible advertising and participant outing/transportation costs, plus updated documentation requirements for claimed expenses. The guidelines also add restrictions on competitive programs and third-party funding, and list Carrie Smith, grants@cifsask.org, 306.780.9396 as the Grants Coordinator contact. The online application portal now shows the Summer Grant application period opening December 15, 2026, with new applicants due to register by January 15, 2027 at 4:00 p.m. and applications due February 1, 2027 at 4:00 p.m.; it also shows the next Community Grant period opening February 3, 2027, with registration due March 15, 2027 at 4:00 p.m. and applications due April 1, 2027 at 4:00 p.m.

Official source: cifsask.org
September 27, 2026

Eligibility

Who is eligible?

  • Incorporated Saskatchewan nonprofit organizations in good standing with Information Services Corporation
  • Municipalities
  • First Nations
  • Health regions
  • Schools or school boards proposing community-based, community-led programs

Who is not eligible

  • Organizations not in good standing with the CIF
  • Incorporated Saskatchewan nonprofit applicants that are not in good standing with Information Services Corporation
  • Organizations that have received a CIF Community Grant Program grant that includes program delivery over the summer for that same program
  • Organizations submitting multiple applications per deadline

Eligible expenses

  • A maximum of 20% of your approved CIF grant request can go toward operational expenses such as supervision, accounting, administration, insurance, rent, repairs, office supplies, travel, telephone, utilities, and fundraising expenses.
  • Salaries for employees directly involved in the delivery of the program.
  • Independent contractor fees for contractors such as instructors and facilitators who are directly involved in the delivery of the program.
  • Traditional Knowledge Keeper, Elder and Elder Helper Honorarium, including tobacco, broadcloth, and/or tea offerings.
  • Supplies directly related to program delivery; food/nutrition expenses where provision of food/nutrition is a component of program delivery; facility rental fees when space is required to deliver programming and the applicant does not own or occupy a suitable facility; advertising expenses directly related to the program; and participant outings and transportation expenses where program participants are being transported or travel is required to deliver the program to participants.

Ineligible Costs and Activities

  • Adult or all-age programs that occur during the summer; the summer portion of year-round programming; music festivals, summer fairs, farmers markets, centennials, homecomings, parades and other events.
  • Programs that primarily benefit people living on-reserve; government delivered programs and services; religious programming with the exclusive purpose of promoting religious practices and viewpoints; purchase of faith-based items; school curriculum-related programs, excursions, activities and trips; training for staff of schools, school divisions, municipalities, libraries, and health regions; employment preparation and apprenticeship programs; trade fairs, display fairs, collections, installations, exhibitions or expositions; public awareness campaigns; sponsorship requests and fundraising events/programs; and competitive programming that limits participation through selection processes such as tryouts, auditions, etc. and is competitive in nature.
  • Salaries, fees and related expenses for federal or provincial government employees; municipal and First Nation government employees except those delivering community-based programs; school and school division teachers, teaching assistants and administrators; health region administration and medical staff; artists, artisans and performers who do not live in Saskatchewan; fundraisers, grant writers and other nonprofit staff not involved in program delivery; and facilitators or consultants who do not live in Saskatchewan unless it can be demonstrated that resources are not available within the province.
  • Honorariums except for those paid to Traditional Knowledge Keepers, Elders and Elder Helpers; capital expenses such as construction, renovation or repair to buildings and facilities or the purchase of facility equipment; purchase of office equipment, furniture or appliances used for general operations; conference expenses; third-party funding where CIF grant dollars would be distributed to individuals or other organizations rather than the direct delivery of programs by the applicant organization.
  • Unhealthy food or drink items such as candy, chips, cookies, pop and alcohol; out of province travel; gift cards, prizes, party favors, awards, trophies, plaques; decorations, flowers, fireworks, parade floats; and promotional items such as team uniforms, t-shirts, water bottles, and signage.

Eligible geographic areas

  • North region
  • Central region
  • South region
  • Provincial region

Activities funded

  • Standalone summer programs for children and youth participants under 18
  • Summer camps and day programs
  • Recreation, culture, mentoring, mental health, literacy, and learning programming
  • Cultural activities such as arts, heritage, multicultural, and ethnocultural activities, and recreation activities that are physical, social, intellectual, and creative

How to apply

  • Create your organizational profile in CIF’s online grant portal; you will not be able to begin a grant application until your organizational profile has been registered and confirmed.
  • Applications must be submitted using the CIF’s on-line application form at www.cifsask.org.
  • Applications will be accepted up to 4 p.m. CST on February 1st.
  • Late applications will not be considered.
  • Mailed, faxed or emailed submissions will not be accepted.
  • All questions MUST be answered, and only the information requested should be submitted.
Open application portal

Documents Needed

  • Official payroll records for approved employee salary claims
  • Itemized invoices or other proof of payment for approved contractor fees
  • Completed payment confirmation form for Traditional Knowledge Keeper, Elder, and Elder Helper honorariums
  • Receipts and invoices for approved supplies, food/nutrition, facility rental, and transportation expenses
  • Final Report with copies of receipts, invoices, payroll records, and other evidence of eligible expenses

Selection criteria

  • Alignment with one or more Funding Themes and Priorities
  • Demonstrated need or community priority
  • The program is designed to address the need or issue, is feasible, reaches its intended audience, and is likely to achieve the expected benefits and outcomes
  • The program benefits smaller, rural or Northern communities, Indigenous peoples, newcomers, and/or those facing barriers to participation
  • The program complements other community initiatives, involves partnerships, is not a duplication of services, has community support, uses eligible expenses, has a realistic budget, and provides enough information for the review committee to make a recommendation

Processing and Agreement

  • CIF reviews applications to confirm eligibility requirements are met and the application is complete, and may contact applicants for clarification or further detail on the budget or proposed program.
  • Eligible applications are forwarded to a regional Peer Review Committee based on the location of the proposed program.
  • Recommendations are forwarded to the CIF Board for final approval.
  • Applicants receive notification of the outcome within 2 months after the application deadline.
  • Grant recipients must submit a final report within 60 days after the program end date.

Additional information

  • Review the program guidelines and discuss questions about program or expense eligibility with CIF well in advance of the deadline.
  • Grant recipients are required to acknowledge CIF as a source of funding throughout program delivery, including electronically, in printed products, and publicly during community events.

Contacts

grants@cifsask.org
306.780.9396

Official sources

Summer Grant Program

Program guide

2026 Summer Grant Guidelines Currently Posted compressed 1Application Review ProcessFinal Report

Application form

Grant PortalTraditional Knowledge Keeper/Elder/Elder Helper Honorarium Receipt Form

Application portal

Apply Here

Supporting document

North

Other relevant PDF

Visual Identity Standards Toolkit
Add helloDarwin as a preferred source on Google

Frequently Asked Questions about the Community Initiatives Fund - Summer Grants Program

What is the Community Initiatives Fund - Summer Grants?

The Summer Grant Program supports incorporated Saskatchewan nonprofit organizations and municipalities, First Nations, health regions, schools, or school boards delivering standalone summer programs for children and youth under 18 in Saskatchewan, with a maximum of $7,500. Eligible activities include recreation, culture, mentoring, mental health supports, literacy and learning, plus salaries, supplies, and nutrition costs.

How much funding can be received?

Community Initiatives Fund - Summer Grants Funds up to $7,500 of admissible expenses.

What is the deadline to apply?

The application deadline for this grant program was February 1, 2027.

Who is eligible for the Community Initiatives Fund - Summer Grants program?

To be eligible for the Community Initiatives Fund - Summer Grants program, you must: The applicant must be an incorporated Saskatchewan nonprofit organization in good standing with Information Services Corporation, or a municipality, First Nation, health region, school, or school board proposing community-based, community-led programs. The applicant must be in good standing with the CIF. The program must be a standalone summer program for participants under 18 and be held between June 1 and August 31.

What expenses are eligible under Community Initiatives Fund - Summer Grants?

A maximum of 20% of your approved CIF grant request can go toward operational expenses such as supervision, accounting, administration, insurance, rent, repairs, office supplies, travel, telephone, utilities, and fundraising expenses. Salaries for employees directly involved in the delivery of the program. Independent contractor fees for contractors such as instructors and facilitators who are directly involved in the delivery of the program. Traditional Knowledge Keeper, Elder and Elder Helper Honorarium, including tobacco, broadcloth, and/or tea offerings. Supplies directly related to program delivery; food/nutrition expenses where provision of food/nutrition is a component of program delivery; facility rental fees when space is required to deliver programming and the applicant does not own or occupy a suitable facility; advertising expenses directly related to the program; and participant outings and transportation expenses where program participants are being transported or travel is required to deliver the program to participants.

Who can I contact for more information about the Community Initiatives Fund - Summer Grants?

You can contact Saskatchewan Ministry of Parks, Culture and Sport. by email at grants@cifsask.org or by phone at 306.780.9396.

Where is the Community Initiatives Fund - Summer Grants available?

The Community Initiatives Fund - Summer Grants program is available the province of Saskatchewan.