Cultural Funding - Equity and inclusion in the arts fund

Who is eligible?

• Not-for-profit organizations with an arts mandate representing or celebrating Indigenous or equity-seeking communities
• Unincorporated collectives of artists, cultural workers, community connectors, or elders/cultural keepers recognized by their peers
• Organizations and collectives operating within the city of Ottawa, Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation, or Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation

Who is not eligible

• For-profit companies or commercial entities.
• Government agencies of any level (municipal, provincial, federal).
• Organizations whose primary purpose is fundraising for third parties.
• Organizations involved in activities under the jurisdiction of other City departments (e.g., Business Improvement Associations, Ottawa Tourism, Ottawa Film Office) or other public institutions such as school boards, hospitals, universities, and military programs.
• Political parties and organizations making participation conditional on religious or political activity.

Eligible expenses

• Artist fees and compensation for cultural workers, elders, and cultural keepers directly involved in the project.
• Purchases of materials necessary to create or produce artistic work.
• Professional development or mentorship fees.
• Costs of hosting performances, exhibitions, film screenings, and book readings.
• Expenses for arts workshops, training sessions, or mentorship projects.
• Support services for accessibility (such as support for disability artists).
• Costs incurred for networking events or community showcases.
• Documented production costs directly associated with project delivery.
• Promotional and marketing expenses for sharing or celebrating the project results.

Eligible geographic areas

• Within the city of Ottawa
• Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation
• Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation
• Within a 150 km radius of Ottawa (for individual members of an Anishinabe Algonquin First Nation)

• Impact: Contribution to artistic growth, celebration, and connection within communities; emphasis on equity and inclusion.
• Planning: Clarity of goals, realistic budgeting, and detailed project planning.
• Artistic Programming: For organizations, alignment with organizational mandate, clear artistic goals, and relevance to the targeted community.
• Community Engagement: Degree to which the project engages and connects communities, and supports local artists and cultural workers.
• Viability: Demonstrated project feasibility, strength of the project team, and practical implementation plan.

• Step 1: Review Program Information
  • Consult all relevant program guidelines and eligibility criteria on the Cultural funding support unit's website.
  • Identify the most appropriate grant stream (Seed Award, Grow Grant, Annual or Three-year Operating Funding, or Equity and Inclusion Committee) for your project or organization.
• Step 2: Prepare Application Materials
  • Download or review the required application questions for your selected funding stream.
  • Gather all required supporting documents, such as artistic CVs, biographies, financial statements, incorporation documents (if applicable), and support material (e.g., promotional material, brochures, photos, audio/video files, etc.).
  • Prepare your written responses to all mandatory application questions in advance, using a word processor to facilitate later transfer to the portal.
• Step 3: Complete the Online Application Form
  • Visit the Cultural funding support unit’s online portal two months prior to the relevant deadline (when the application becomes available).
  • Create or log in to your account on the portal.
  • Input your prepared responses into the appropriate sections of the form.
  • Upload all required materials and support documentation according to the instructions.
  • For Seed Award applications, choose your preferred format (written, audio, or video) if applicable.
• Step 4: Review and Submit Application
  • Carefully review all sections of the application for completeness and accuracy.
  • Submit your completed application via the online portal before the deadline (e.g., Seed Award: September 10, 2025 / May 6, 2026; Grow Grant: October 22, 2025; Annual Operating: October 22, 2025).
• Step 5: Confirmation and Follow-Up
  • Await notification of submission confirmation from the portal.
  • If requested or needed, contact your Cultural Funding Officer for applicant support, accessibility accommodations, or feedback on draft applications (note deadlines for support requests).

• Grant recipients are encouraged to apply for direct deposit for faster disbursement of funds.
• Feedback on unsuccessful applications can be requested within six months of receiving the result letter.
• All required documents, including support materials, must be uploaded through the online portal in the correct format; certain file types and links are not accepted.
• The Equity and Inclusion Committee provides ongoing guidance and peer evaluation and offers honoraria for community members who participate.