Cultural Funding - Capacity Building Program

Who is eligible?

• Local not-for-profit organizations with an arts mandate
• Local not-for-profit organizations with a heritage mandate
• Local not-for-profit organizations with a festival mandate
• Local not-for-profit organizations with a fair mandate
• Professional collectives representing or serving the arts, heritage, festival, or fair sectors

Who is not eligible

• For-profit organizations.
• Government agencies.
• Organizations whose activities fall under other government departments (such as school boards, hospitals, universities, social services, military programs, or business improvement associations).
• Political parties.
• Organizations with accumulated surpluses greater than 100% of total revenue (excluding capital assets).

Eligible expenses

• Consulting fees for the development and implementation of strategies and policies (e.g., Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, Accessibility, Anti-racism).
• Professional fees related to strategic planning or the review of existing strategic plans.
• Costs associated with adapting to new technologies, including digitalization and enhancing online presence.
• Fees for website development and design, including documentation and archiving of creative work, online ticketing systems, and membership/subscription portals.
• Expenses for creating marketing plans aimed at building new audiences.
• Costs for organizing knowledge sharing, learning, and networking opportunities that support engagement, collaboration, and partnership building within the community.

Eligible geographic areas

• City of Ottawa
• Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation
• Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation

• Clear alignment of the project with program objectives.
• Strength of leadership and suitability of human resources involved in the project.
• Impact of the project on the applicant’s operations and potential for increasing effectiveness and sustainability.
• Viability of the project, including the applicant’s ability to implement the project, monitor outcomes, and demonstrate effective fiscal management and realistic budgeting.
• Commitment to engage with local equity-seeking communities and the impact on the broader local cultural community.

• Step 1: Review Program Guidelines
  • Read the full Program Guidelines and Information for Applicants.
  • Review eligibility requirements and restrictions.
• Step 2: Prepare Application Materials
  • Draft written responses to all application questions, including mandate, history, project description, workplan and timeline, challenges, project impacts, and engagement with equity-seeking communities.
  • Collect required documentation: CVs and bios of project leaders, list of board or collective members, staff list, completed project budget, approved financial statements, and support materials (maximum of 3).
• Step 3: Access Application Portal
  • Visit the City of Ottawa’s application portal (application goes live approximately 2 months before the deadline).
  • Create or access your account if needed.
• Step 4: Complete and Upload Application
  • Complete the online application form, answering all questions and uploading required documentation.
  • Check all responses and attachments for completeness to avoid being considered late or incomplete.
• Step 5: Submit Application
  • Submit the application through the online portal before the deadline (Wednesday, July 9, 2025, at 4 pm).
  • Retain proof of submission for your records.
• Step 6: Application Review and Follow Up
  • Reach out to your Cultural Funding Officer for assistance, draft reviews (up to 2 weeks before the deadline), or questions about the process.
  • If selected, complete direct deposit registration with the City’s Financial Services Unit, if not already done.
• Step 7: Reporting (for previous recipients)
  • If you have received funding from this program before, submit all required final reports via the portal before reapplying.
  • Ensure all reports are approved by the Cultural Funding Support Unit to maintain eligibility.

• Applications must be submitted through the online portal by the specified deadline; late or incomplete submissions will not be considered.
• Cultural Funding Officers are available for draft reviews and can provide feedback on eligibility and application requirements if consulted up to two weeks before the deadline.
• All outstanding final reports from previous funding must be approved before reapplying; failure to do so results in ineligibility for funding in the current year.
• Successful funding recipients are required to submit a final report through the portal; for funds received prior to 2021, reporting must be done by email.