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Cultural Funding - Heritage Funding Program - Ottawa - Ontario - Canada
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Cultural Funding - Heritage Funding Program

Supports heritage projects and operations in Ottawa communities
City of Ottawa
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Funding available
$ 15,000
Timeline
  • Closing date : November 5, 2025
Location
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Overview

The Heritage Funding Program provides up to $15,000 in financial support for individuals and organizations undertaking projects that promote, preserve, and share Ottawa’s local heritage, including educational activities, historical research, community events, and Indigenous cultural initiatives. Eligible activities encompass heritage awareness, research, documentation, professional services, exhibits, and projects celebrating Anishinabe Algonquin Nation history and Ottawa stories.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.

At a glance

Funding available

Financing goals
  • Increase social or community impact
  • Develop strategic partnerships
  • Develop an online presence
Eligible Funding
  • Maximum amount : 15,000 $
  • Up to 90% of project cost
Timeline
  • Closing date : November 5, 2025

Eligible candidates

Eligible Industries
  • Information and cultural industries
  • Educational services
  • Arts, entertainment and recreation
Location
  • Ottawa
  • Ontario
Legal structures
  • Non-profit
  • Public or Parapublic institution
Annual revenue
  • All revenue ranges
Organisation size
  • All organization sizes
Audience
  • Indigenous Peoples
  • Persons with Disabilities
  • Language Minorities
  • Newcomers to Canada
  • Other Racialized Persons
  • Black Canadians
  • Rural or Northern Residents
  • 2SLGBTQI+
  • Canadians
  • Youth (<40)
  • Women
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
  • All industries
Target groups
  • All the groups
Revenue structures
  • All structures
Scope
  • All dimensions

Next steps

1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility

Activities funded

  • Programs and events that promote or support community heritage, such as heritage awareness, education initiatives, and local history projects.
  • Historical research, documentation, and publication projects highlighting Ottawa's or Anishinabe Algonquin Nation history.
  • Exhibits, presentations, workshops, or public lectures that tell Ottawa stories or support Indigenous cultures.
  • Community-based heritage activities, including traditional gatherings, storytelling, language preservation, and land-based learning related to cultural heritage.
  • Museum and heritage sector programming or services that facilitate greater public awareness, appreciation, and understanding of local heritage.

Eligibility

Who is eligible?

  • Not-for-profit heritage organizations
  • Organizations serving or representing Indigenous communities (Anishinabe Algonquin Nation, First Nations, Métis, Inuit)
  • Not-for-profit organizations working in partnership with heritage professionals, community elders, or culture keepers

Who is not eligible

  • For-profit businesses or ventures.
  • Crown corporations and government agencies.
  • Organizations whose primary role is fundraising for third parties.
  • Political parties.
  • Organizations receiving operating funding from another Cultural Funding Support Unit program.
  • Organizations whose activities fall under other City of Ottawa departments (including Business Improvement Associations, Ottawa Tourism, Ottawa Film Office, school boards, hospitals, universities, military programs, etc.).

Eligible expenses

  • Personnel salaries and benefits related to heritage project activities.
  • Consultant fees for heritage professionals, community elders, or knowledge keepers.
  • Materials and supplies required for educational programming, exhibitions, or documentation.
  • Costs associated with research, writing, and documentation (e.g., historical research, oral history, book proposals).
  • Production expenses for public lectures, workshops, seminars, or multimedia initiatives.
  • Venue and facility rental essential for project delivery.
  • Travel expenses directly related to project execution.
  • Marketing and promotional costs for sharing project results with the community.

Eligible geographic areas

  • City of Ottawa
  • Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation
  • Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation
  • Within a 150 km radius of Ottawa (for individual Anishinabe Algonquin First Nation applicants)

Additional information

  • Applicants may only submit one application per fiscal year to the Cultural Funding Support Unit’s programs, with few exceptions.
  • The application portal opens two months before the deadline and late or incomplete submissions will not be considered.
  • All required documents, including budgets, must be uploaded in specific formats (Excel or PDF only; zip files are not accepted).
  • Applicants are responsible for ensuring proper submission and functionality of their application materials, as errors after the deadline will not be accommodated.

Contacts

infoculture@ottawa.ca

Frequently Asked Questions about the Cultural Funding - Heritage Funding Program Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the Cultural Funding - Heritage Funding Program. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.

What is the Cultural Funding - Heritage Funding Program?

The Heritage Funding Program provides up to $15,000 in financial support for individuals and organizations undertaking projects that promote, preserve, and share Ottawa’s local heritage, including educational activities, historical research, community events, and Indigenous cultural initiatives. Eligible activities encompass heritage awareness, research, documentation, professional services, exhibits, and projects celebrating Anishinabe Algonquin Nation history and Ottawa stories.

How much funding can be received?

Cultural Funding - Heritage Funding Program Funds up to 90% of admissible expenses, capped at $15,000 per project.

Who is eligible for the Cultural Funding - Heritage Funding Program program?

To be eligible for the Cultural Funding - Heritage Funding Program program, you must: Must be a not-for-profit organization with a heritage project Office and official address must be within Ottawa or Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation or Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation Have an active board or steering committee with at least 50% residing in the Ottawa region

What expenses are eligible under Cultural Funding - Heritage Funding Program?

Programs and events that promote or support community heritage, such as heritage awareness, education initiatives, and local history projects. Historical research, documentation, and publication projects highlighting Ottawa's or Anishinabe Algonquin Nation history. Exhibits, presentations, workshops, or public lectures that tell Ottawa stories or support Indigenous cultures. Community-based heritage activities, including traditional gatherings, storytelling, language preservation, and land-based learning related to cultural heritage. Museum and heritage sector programming or services that facilitate greater public awareness, appreciation, and understanding of local heritage.

Who can I contact for more information about the Cultural Funding - Heritage Funding Program?

You can contact City of Ottawa by email at infoculture@ottawa.ca.

Where is the Cultural Funding - Heritage Funding Program available?

The Cultural Funding - Heritage Funding Program program is available the province of Ontario.

Is the Cultural Funding - Heritage Funding Program a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Cultural Funding - Heritage Funding Program is a Grant and Funding

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