Financial support program for government initiatives in community and volunteer action

Who is eligible?

• Non-profit organizations engaged in community action
• Organizations rooted in the community with democratic and associative life
• Organizations with missions focused on social development, exclusion prevention, and citizenship engagement
• Organizations conducting collective advocacy for rights
• Organizations providing alternative services to those of public administrations

Who is not eligible

• Professional orders (professional regulatory bodies).
• Political organizations or parties.
• Trade unions or labor organizations.
• Organizations with a religious character or primary religious mission.
• Foundations whose main purpose is to collect and redistribute funds.
• Organizations whose operations do not align with community action (e.g., those serving only private or corporatist interests, or created by public entities for administrative needs).

Eligible expenses

• General operating expenses, including rent, office supplies, and technological infrastructure.
• Salaries and wages related to the core operations and alternative services of the organization.
• Expenses associated with the social mission of the organization, such as education on rights, collective rights advocacy, membership activities, and participation in consultations and representation.
• Support and supervision costs for volunteer action.
• Costs related to popular education activities in accordance with the organization’s mission.

Eligible geographic areas

• Quebec

• Alignment of the project with government orientations in community and volunteer action.
• Contribution to social development and improvement of quality of life within the community.
• Demonstration of innovative approaches or responses to new or unmet community needs.
• Clarity and feasibility of the project plan and anticipated outcomes.
• Capacity of the organization to deliver the project and effectively manage resources.

• Step 1: Review Program Guidelines
  • Consult the normative framework of the Financial support program for government initiatives in community and volunteer action to familiarize yourself with program objectives, eligible expenses, and requirements.
• Step 2: Prepare Required Documentation
  • Gather essential documents including your organization’s constitutive act (charter), general statutes and bylaws, recent activity or annual report, financial statements, and budget forecasts.
• Step 3: Complete Application
  • Fill out the application form according to the program’s procedures, ensuring all requested information is complete and accurate.
  • Clearly demonstrate how your organization and proposed activities align with the program’s objectives and requirements.
• Step 4: Submit Application
  • Submit the completed application and all supporting documents to the relevant government body as specified by the program guidelines.
  • Applications and inquiries can be directed via email to sacais@mess.gouv.qc.ca.
• Step 5: Await Response and Follow Up
  • Monitor email or other communication channels for any requests for further information or clarification from the program administrators.
• Step 6: Formalize Funding Agreement
  • If approved, review and sign the administrative agreement or protocol with the government body, finalizing commitments on funding, reporting, and accountability.

• The program is structured to evolve over time, responding to the needs and feedback from users and government entities.
• Transparency and mutual respect are emphasized in all interactions between the government and community organizations.
• Harmonization of administrative practices across government departments is a key objective of the framework guiding this program.
• Mechanisms are in place for regular evaluation and possible updates of the governing framework based on ongoing experience and feedback.