Closed
Distress Line Equity Fund
Funding for crisis lines equity initiatives
Last Update: May 28, 2026
Funding available
$ 250,000
Timeline
- Closing date : January 22, 2024
Location
Canada
Overview
This program provides up to $250,000 per project for eligible distress lines and crisis centres. It supports equity, diversity, and inclusion initiatives that strengthen immediate crisis services delivered by phone, text, or chat.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase social or community impact
- Improve governance or administrative structure
- Develop workforce skills
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 250,000 $
Timeline
- Closing date : January 22, 2024
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- Non-profit
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Mental Health and Crisis Intervention
Target groups
- All the groups
Revenue structures
- 100% donations / grants
Scope
- Provincial
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Improve crisis services for diverse populations
- Provide equity, inclusion, and cultural competency training
- Expand service delivery in additional languages
- Collect and analyze service-user data
- Review policies and processes that create barriers
Documents Needed
- Invitation to Submit a Funding Request form
- Detailed budget template
- Information showing the project fits the call for proposals
- Information showing the organization can implement the project
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Canadian not-for-profit voluntary organizations or corporations
- Unincorporated groups, societies, or coalitions
- Indigenous organizations working with First Nations, Inuit, or Métis peoples
- Organizations or institutions supported primarily by provincial or territorial governments
Who is not eligible
- Organizations that do not primarily provide phone, text, or chat crisis support
- Shelters, mobile crisis units, and mental health counselling services
- Hospital-based services and other face-to-face services
- Gender-based violence distress lines and services
- Telehealth and advisory services
Eligible expenses
- Staffing and human resources initiatives
- Training in equity, inclusion, cultural competency, and safety
- Service capacity in additional languages
- Data collection and analysis
- Policy or process review and revision
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Services that are not primarily phone, text, or chat crisis support
- Shelters, mobile crisis units, and mental health counselling services
- Hospital-based or face-to-face services
- Gender-based violence distress lines and services
- Telehealth and advisory services
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed through the Invitation to Submit a Funding Request process
- Applicants must show project fit and implementation capacity
- Successful applicants are expected to receive funding agreements in March 2024
- In Quebec, some organizations may need Act M-30 compliance before signing
Additional information
- This is a time-limited funding opportunity.
- Organizations in the 9-8-8 network may still apply.
- In Quebec, selected organizations may need to comply with Act M-30 before an agreement is signed.
- Successful applicants are expected to receive funding agreements in March 2024.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Distress Line Equity Fund Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Distress Line Equity Fund. 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 Distress Line Equity Fund?
This program provides up to $250,000 per project for eligible distress lines and crisis centres. It supports equity, diversity, and inclusion initiatives that strengthen immediate crisis services delivered by phone, text, or chat.
How much funding can be received?
Distress Line Equity Fund Funds up to $250,000 of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the Distress Line Equity Fund program?
To be eligible for the Distress Line Equity Fund program, you must:
Immediate crisis services mandate
At least two years in operation
Minimum 5 FTE responders
What expenses are eligible under Distress Line Equity Fund?
Improve crisis services for diverse populations
Provide equity, inclusion, and cultural competency training
Expand service delivery in additional languages
Collect and analyze service-user data
Review policies and processes that create barriers
Who can I contact for more information about the Distress Line Equity Fund?
You can contact Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) by email at suicideprevention@phac-aspc.gc.ca.
Where is the Distress Line Equity Fund available?
The Distress Line Equity Fund program is available across Canada.
Is the Distress Line Equity Fund a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Distress Line Equity Fund is a Grant and Funding