Closed
For applicants
Support for system-changing initiatives across Canada
Last Update: April 27, 2026
Funding available
$ 1,000,000
Timeline
- Receipt of requests is now closed
Location
Montréal, Canada
Overview
The Foundation supports activities aligned with Communities, Reconciliation, and Climate. The program can fund projects over multiple years, with no pre-set maximum funding amount.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Develop team skills
- Increase social or community impact
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 1,000,000 $
Timeline
- Receipt of requests is now closed
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Utilities
- Transportation and warehousing
- Finance and insurance
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Public administration
Location
- Montréal
Legal structures
- Non-profit
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Environment
- Economic, Social and Community Development
- Civic and Advocacy Organizations
- Grant-making Foundations
- Diversity and Inclusion
Target groups
- General public
- Children & youth
- Young adults
- Indigenous peoples
- Nonprofits / charities
- Community leaders
- Minority groups
Revenue structures
- 100% donations / grants
Scope
- National
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Community-led initiatives for systemic change
- Reconciliation projects led by Indigenous communities or organizations
- Climate mitigation and climate finance initiatives
- Organizational capacity-strengthening initiatives
Documents Needed
- Short-form application
- Detailed application, if invited
- Project budget
- Supporting documents, if applicable
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Canadian registered charities
- Non-profit organizations
- Canadian municipalities
- Other organizations in Canada, in certain cases
Who is not eligible
- For-profit organizations, except in rare cases
- Private schools
- Organizations or projects based outside Canada
- Purely academic or basic research projects
- Partisan political or strictly religious initiatives
Eligible expenses
- Project-related costs
- Budgeted operating and administration costs linked to the project
- Organizational strengthening and capacity-building costs
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- General fundraising campaigns
- Deficit reduction or capital shortfalls
- Purely academic or basic research
- Construction, renovation, or building purchases
- Projects outside Canada or international development
Eligible geographic areas
- Canada
- Montreal and Greater Montreal, for the Montreal stream
Selection criteria
- Strategic fit with the chosen focus area
- Strength of the organization’s position to lead the work
- Potential impact and likelihood of success
- Sound governance and financial management
How to apply
- Step 1: Create an account and complete the eligibility quiz
- Register on the portal
- Confirm the project is eligible to proceed
- Step 2: Submit the short-form application
- Choose a primary focus area
- Answer the preliminary questions and provide budget information
- Submit through the portal
- Step 3: Complete the detailed application if invited
- Provide project details, evaluation approach, partnerships, and budget
- Upload the budget template and any supporting documents
- Step 4: Final review and decision
- Staff review the full application and due diligence is completed
- The Board issues the final decision
Processing and Agreement
- Stage 1 is reviewed for fit with the Foundation’s focus areas.
- Applicants may receive a decision or be invited to Stage 2 within about one month.
- Stage 2 includes a detailed review and due diligence.
- The Board makes the final funding decision.
- The full process can take four to six months or longer in some cases.
Additional information
- The Foundation uses a two-stage application process for focus area funding.
- Virtual office hours are available to help applicants assess fit.
- Applications are submitted through the Foundation’s online portal.
- Monitoring, evaluation, and learning are considered integral to proposals.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the For applicants Program
What is the For applicants?
The Foundation supports activities aligned with Communities, Reconciliation, and Climate. The program can fund projects over multiple years, with no pre-set maximum funding amount.
How much funding can be received?
For applicants Funds up to $1,000,000 of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the For applicants program?
To be eligible for the For applicants program, you must:
Aligned with a focus area
Nationally relevant
Addresses root causes
What expenses are eligible under For applicants?
Community-led initiatives for systemic change
Reconciliation projects led by Indigenous communities or organizations
Climate mitigation and climate finance initiatives
Organizational capacity-strengthening initiatives
Who can I contact for more information about the For applicants?
You can contact The J.W. McConnell Family Foundation (MCF) or by phone at 514-288-2133.
Where is the For applicants available?
The For applicants program is available across Canada.
Is the For applicants a grant, loan, or tax credit?
For applicants is a Partnering and Collaboration