Financial assistance program for regional service units in the areas of recreation, sports, outdoor activities, and physical activity (PAFURS)

Who is eligible?

• Regional leisure and sports units (URLS) operating in Quebec
• Non-profit organizations (NPOs) acting as regional units in the fields of recreation, sports, outdoor activities, and physical activity

Who is not eligible

• Organizations that are not registered as non-profit organizations (NPOs) under Quebec law.
• Entities that are not acting as a regional leisure and sport unit (URLS) in their region.
• Organizations listed in the Register of Enterprises Ineligible for Public Contracts (RENA).
• Organizations that have not complied with Quebec government laws and regulations or have not fulfilled obligations related to prior government financial aid in the past two years.
• Organizations that do not meet high standards of integrity expected from recipients of public funds.

Eligible expenses

• General expenses such as office or workspace rental, office supplies, and equipment necessary for operations.
• Human resources costs related to the operation of the program, including salaries, employee benefits, professional training, and support.
• Travel expenses, provided they do not exceed the current Quebec public service rates.
• Communication, networking, representation, and volunteer management expenses.
• For the Circonflexe project: human resources for management, training, promotion, and facilitation; equipment purchase, maintenance, repair, and storage; expenses related to service points such as mobile units, self-service kiosks, and equipment loan counters.

Eligible geographic areas

• Quebec administrative regions

• Demonstration of sound management and adequate financial health, particularly through the maintenance of financial ratios in accordance with program requirements.
• Compliance with recognized competencies and the ability to implement the activities and services for which support is requested.
• Ability to present concrete results through the required accountability documents (for example: impact evaluation report, final report for specific projects).
• Adherence to the rules, standards, and conventions of the program throughout the execution of the project.

• Step 1: Prepare Required Documents
  • Complete the PAFURS financial assistance application form.
  • Gather required supporting documents: copy of the annual registration declaration from the Quebec Enterprise Register (REQ), proof of civil liability insurance covering administrators, and any other necessary documents as specified by the Ministry of Education.
  • If not supported in the previous program year, also gather: a copy of the organization's charter and bylaws (or modifications if applicable), the most recent signed financial report, the latest annual report, as well as a copy of the notice of the annual general assembly and approved minutes from the last general assembly.
• Step 2: Submit Application to the Ministry of Education
  • Send the completed application form and all required supporting documents to the Ministry of Education by the specified deadline.
  • Contact details:
    • Email: pafurs@education.gouv.qc.ca
    • Phone: 418 646-6142
    • Mailing Address: Ministère de l’Éducation, 1035, rue De La Chevrotière, 27e étage, Québec (Québec) G1R 5A5
• Step 3: Review and Agreement
  • If the application is approved, receive two copies of the draft financial assistance agreement from the Ministry after notification of the grant amount.
  • Have the organization's president sign one copy of the agreement and return it to the Ministry (a board resolution is required if a delegate signs).
• Step 4: Implementation and Reporting
  • After signature and receipt of funds, deploy project activities as per the approved action plan.
  • Each year, submit an annual accountability report, financial statements, and required supporting documentation to the Ministry by the stated deadlines.
  • At the end of the funding period, submit a final report summarizing project outcomes for the Circonflexe project, if applicable.

• All funded activities must be carried out in accordance with applicable Quebec legislation and regulatory provisions.
• Beneficiaries must adhere to transparency and mutual respect in all dealings with the government throughout the grant period.
• The visibility of the Ministère’s financial support must be ensured, as detailed in the funding agreement.
• Grant amounts may be revised downward if certain financial thresholds regarding net assets are exceeded and no justification is provided.