How much funding can be received?

The Manicouagan Cultural Fund provides non-repayable financial assistance of up to $5,000 per project to promote the development of cultural initiatives within the MRC de Manicouagan. Funding supports a wide range of eligible activities, including cultural, heritage, artistic, mediation, and community projects that contribute to the region’s cultural and socio-economic vitality.

Financing terms and conditions

Maximum funding per project: $5,000.
The promoter's financial contribution must be at least 20% of eligible expenses, including a minimum monetary contribution of 5%.
Combined government contributions (federal, provincial, and FCM) may not exceed 80% of eligible project expenses.
Funding is granted as a non-repayable contribution.

Eligible projects & activities

Cultural projects or initiatives with social and economic benefits for the Manicouagan region.
Projects that promote intergenerational knowledge transfer, cultural volunteering, or the involvement of seniors, families, and vulnerable groups.
Initiatives aimed at early childhood and youth cultural engagement, including partnerships with libraries or community organizations.
Projects that enhance local heritage, including documentation, preservation, and promotion of historic or cultural sites and figures.
Digital cultural projects or those fostering cultural mediation, participation, and diversity within the community.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 95,000

Installing high-efficiency chillers in a dairy processing facility

$ 21,500

Implementing LED lighting retrofits at an artisan bakery shop

$ 66,000

Replacing outdated HVAC system at a community health clinic

$ 29,000

Upgrading freezers for improved efficiency in food co-op

$ 15,600

Refitting a multi-unit building with advanced smart thermostats

$ 43,200

Modernizing heating system in heritage theatre for energy efficiency

Eligibility criteria of the MRC Manicouagan — Manicouagan Cultural Fund program

The applicant must be a legally constituted non-profit organization (cultural or non-cultural), a professional or emerging professional artist, an educational institution (excluding projects already supported by the La culture à l’école program), a municipality or the MRC of Manicouagan, or the Conseil des Innus de Pessamit.
For non-cultural non-profit organizations, the applicant must partner with at least one cultural organization or professional/emerging artist to carry out the project.
The project must take place within the territory of the MRC de Manicouagan and preferably benefit citizens in more than one locality within the region.
The project must be cultural in nature and provide social, cultural, or economic benefits relevant to the community.

Who is eligible?

Legally constituted non-profit organizations (cultural or non-cultural)
Professional artists or artists in the process of professionalization
Educational institutions (excluding projects supported by La culture à l’école)
Municipalities and the MRC of Manicouagan
Conseil des Innus de Pessamit

Eligible expenses

Salaries, professional fees, and honoraria directly related to project implementation or cultural mediation components.
External expertise and subcontracting.
Project-related travel, meals, and accommodation (as per program guidelines).
Rental costs for technical or material equipment.
Purchase of small equipment and project materials (with equipment costs limited to 15% of total project costs).
Promotion, advertising, and project-related website expenses.
Other expenses directly linked to project delivery.

Eligible geographic areas

Baie-Trinité
Godbout
Franquelin
Baie-Comeau
Pointe-Lebel
Pointe-aux-Outardes
Chute-aux-Outardes
Ragueneau
Unorganized Territory of Rivière-aux-Outardes
Pessamit

Eligibility criteria of the MRC Manicouagan — Manicouagan Cultural Fund program

Originality and innovative character of the project.
Expected cultural and socio-economic impacts in relation to the objectives of the cultural development agreement and the cultural policy of the MRC de Manicouagan.
Collaboration and outreach of the project within the territory.
Realization potential, based on a realistic timeline, diversified budget, promoter’s contribution, capacity, and experience.

How to apply to the MRC Manicouagan — Manicouagan Cultural Fund program

Step 1: Obtain the Application Form
- Contact Annie Cloutier, Community Development Advisor at Innovation et développement Manicouagan, to request the official application form.
- Email: acloutier@idmanic.ca
- Phone: 418 295-2593, ext. 229
Step 2: Complete the Application Form
- Fill out all required sections of the form with detailed information about your project.
- Ensure that your proposal clearly addresses the fund’s objectives and details the cultural, social, and economic impacts.
- Prepare a comprehensive project budget, including your own financial contribution and the planned use of funds.
Step 3: Submit Your Application
- Send the completed application form and any required accompanying documents to Annie Cloutier as directed (by email or as instructed in your communications).
- Ensure submission before the deadline for the spring or fall evaluation period.
Step 4: Await Evaluation and Decision
- Your application will be reviewed by a selection committee comprising representatives from the MRC de Manicouagan, Innovation et développement Manicouagan, and the Quebec Ministry of Culture and Communications.
- Applications are evaluated based on originality, impact, collaboration, and feasibility.
Step 5: Sign Agreement and Reporting
- If your project is approved, sign a formal agreement outlining financial terms and obligations.
- Upon project completion, submit an activity report to Innovation et développement Manicouagan to receive the final disbursement.

Additional information

The grant evaluation occurs twice per year, in the spring and fall, by a committee of representatives from the MRC de Manicouagan, Innovation et développement Manicouagan, and the Ministry of Culture and Communications of Quebec.
Grant amounts are awarded based on evaluation scores and the availability of funds.
The terms and conditions of the Manicouagan Cultural Fund may be changed without prior notice.