General Class Contribution Program

Q: How much funding can be received?

General Class Contribution Program Funds up to 30000000% of admissible expenses.

Q: What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is not specified.

Q: Is the General Class Contribution Program a grant, loan, or tax credit?

General Class Contribution Program is a Grant and Funding

Q: Who are the financial supporters of the General Class Contribution Program?

General Class Contribution Program is funded by Government of Canada

Q: Who is eligible for the General Class Contribution Program program?

To be eligible for the General Class Contribution Program program, you must: • For-profit organizations may be eligible for some contribution agreements. • Projects must support Parks Canada Agency's mandate or objectives.

Q: Who can I contact for more information about the General Class Contribution Program?

You can contact Government of Canada by email at oiae.bvie@pc.gc.ca.

Q: Where is the General Class Contribution Program available?

The General Class Contribution Program program is available the province of QC.

Q: Are Indigenous Peoples eligible for the General Class Contribution Program program?

Yes, Indigenous Peoples are eligible to apply for the General Class Contribution Program program.

Last Update: August 18, 2025

QC, Canada

Funds collaborative projects supporting Parks Canada's conservation and engagement objectives

At a glance

Eligible Funding

Max. $30,000,000

Timeline

Archived

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

Educational services
Arts, entertainment and recreation
Other services (except public administration)
Public administration

Funds Providers

Unspecified

Program status

Archived

Overview

The General Class Contribution Program (GCCP) is a Parks Canada funding mechanism that supports activities such as Indigenous engagement, research, tourism development, outreach, education, resource conservation, monitoring, and visitor experience, with a maximum funding amount of up to $3 million per project. The program enables transfer payments to eligible recipients, including non-profit organizations, Indigenous partners, academic institutions, and other entities, to advance Parks Canada's mandate and departmental results framework.

Financing terms and conditions

Simplified approval path for low-value projects with a threshold set at $25,000.
Maximum payable amount raised to $3 million per project (as of 2017-18 updates).
Higher funding limits established in upcoming updates: up to $20 million for projects involving land/property, and up to $10 million without land/property.
Grants available up to $300,000 per recipient per year, and micro-grants available up to $5,000 with no agreements or reporting on results (effective 2022-23).
Up-front, multi-year contributions may be awarded up to $10 million for a project's lifecycle.

Activities funded

Engagements and consultations with Indigenous peoples.
Research projects supporting Parks Canada’s mandate.
Events and outreach programs related to natural or cultural heritage.
Tourism development and enhancement of visitor experiences.
Resource conservation and monitoring initiatives.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 499,000

Restoring wetland habitats and training youth in conservation skills

$ 899,000

Developing an Indigenous-led interpretive trail with educational signage

$ 1,240,000

Upgrading park visitor facilities with accessible washrooms and signage

$ 757,000

Collaborative research on climate change impacts in park ecosystems

$ 687,000

Hosting a major festival celebrating cultural heritage through arts

$ 372,000

Launching a citizen science program to monitor local wildlife populations

Eligibility

The applicant must be an eligible recipient such as an Indigenous government or organization, non-profit organization, academic or public institution, province, territory, municipality, or international organization.
The project must support Parks Canada Agency's mandate, including activities such as Indigenous engagement, research, events, tourism development, outreach, education, resource conservation, monitoring, or visitor experiences.
The applicant must demonstrate the capacity to manage the project, including providing information on objectives, results, budget, and project design.
The applicant must meet the administrative requirements outlined by Parks Canada, including terms and conditions of the General Class Contribution Program.

Who is eligible?

Indigenous organizations and governments
Non-profit organizations
Academic and public institutions
Provincial, territorial, or municipal governments
International organizations
For-profit organizations

Eligible expenses

Project-related personnel costs and salaries.
Purchase of materials and equipment directly required for project delivery.
Travel and accommodation expenses associated with the execution of the project.
Consulting and professional service fees linked to project objectives.
Operating and administrative expenses essential for implementing the funded project, including approved overhead costs.
Costs for monitoring, reporting, and evaluation activities required by the funding agreement.
Outreach, communication, and educational expenses necessary to fulfill project requirements.

Eligible geographic areas

All provinces and territories across Canada, as the General Class Contribution Program is administered nationally by Parks Canada Agency and supports projects with a Canada-wide scope.

Selection criteria

Alignment of the project with Parks Canada Agency’s mandate and Departmental Results Framework.
Clarity and feasibility of project objectives, design, and work plan.
Demonstrated management and administrative capacity of the applicant organization.
Anticipated results and outcomes in support of Parks Canada’s priorities, including Indigenous reconciliation when applicable.
Appropriate risk assessment and mitigation measures based on project scope and recipient characteristics.

How to apply

Confirm project eligibility

Ensure your project aligns with the General Class Contribution Program's (GCCP) Terms and Conditions
Verify organizational capacity and mission alignment with Parks Canada objectives

Assess project risk and requirements

Assess project risk level using the GCCP risk assessment template
Address overhead and official languages requirements as applicable

Prepare approval package

Determine the required approval level based on the funding amount (Director, Executive Director, Vice-President, or CEO)
Prepare the approval package including forms, MP letter, communications approach, and briefing note as required

Submit for internal review

Submit the approval package to the Centre of Expertise for Grants and Contributions (CoE) for review
Ensure all documentation meets program standards

Finalize and sign agreement

Obtain all necessary signatures for the contribution agreement from Parks Canada and partners
Ensure conversion and recording of funds in Parks Canada's financial system (STAR)

Initiate project and monitoring

Project initiates with possible advance payment to recipient
Begin project activities and comply with agreed upon monitoring and reporting requirements

Additional information

The General Class Contribution Program (GCCP) is not a traditional funding program and does not have a dedicated budget; funds must be identified for each contribution agreement.
Recipient organizations are expected to manage and report on project funds in accordance with Parks Canada's requirements, including providing narrative and financial reports.
Since 2017, the use of the GCCP has steadily increased, with new tools, templates, and risk-based approaches introduced to streamline processes and support a wider range of recipients.
Feedback from both program users and recipients is recognized as important for ongoing program improvement and management framework updates.

Contacts

oiae.bvie@pc.gc.ca

Apply to this program

Frequently Asked Questions about the General Class Contribution Program Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the General Class Contribution 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.