Museums Assistance Program — Indigenous Heritage

Q: How much funding can be received?

Museums Assistance Program — Indigenous Heritage Funds up to 200000% of admissible expenses.

Q: What is the deadline to apply?

The program is accepting continuous intake

Q: Is the Museums Assistance Program — Indigenous Heritage a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Museums Assistance Program — Indigenous Heritage is a Grant and Funding

Q: Who are the financial supporters of the Museums Assistance Program — Indigenous Heritage?

Museums Assistance Program — Indigenous Heritage is funded by Canadian Heritage, Government of Canada

Q: Who can I contact for more information about the Museums Assistance Program — Indigenous Heritage?

You can contact Canadian Heritage.

Q: Where is the Museums Assistance Program — Indigenous Heritage available?

The Museums Assistance Program — Indigenous Heritage program is available across Canada.

Q: Are Indigenous Peoples eligible for the Museums Assistance Program — Indigenous Heritage program?

Yes, Indigenous Peoples are eligible to apply for the Museums Assistance Program — Indigenous Heritage program.

Last Update: January 24, 2025

Canada

Preserve and support Indigenous heritage

At a glance

Eligible Funding

Max. $200,000

Timeline

Open Date : September 5, 2023
Closing date : November 1, 2023

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

Information and cultural industries
Arts, entertainment and recreation

Funds Providers

Unspecified

Program status

Closed

Overview

Maximum funding per fiscal year of $200,000 for projects related to the preservation, management and presentation of Indigenous cultural heritage in Canada.

Financing terms and conditions

This grant assists eligible organizations in preserving Indigenous cultural heritage through structured financial support, although specific financing modalities are not explicitly detailed in the available documentation. It aims to prioritize projects that directly benefit Indigenous communities.

The funding is specifically for projects related to preservation, management, and presentation of Indigenous cultural heritage.
Priority is given to projects submitted by Indigenous organizations or those demonstrating partnerships with Indigenous heritage groups.
While detailed funding structures like co-financing ratios or payment schedules are not specified, the program emphasizes collaboration and direct community impact.
Applications may be considered outside the regular funding cycle under exceptional circumstances, suggesting some flexibility in timing or funding allocation.

Activities funded

The Museums Assistance Program — Indigenous Heritage focuses on supporting projects that aid in the preservation, management, and presentation of Indigenous cultural heritage in Canada. Funding prioritizes engaging Indigenous communities and organizations to conduct these meaningful heritage projects.

Projects that enhance preservation techniques of Indigenous cultural heritage items.
Initiatives aimed at better management of Indigenous heritage collections.
Efforts in presenting Indigenous cultural heritage to broader audiences.
Collaborations between Indigenous and heritage organizations to support Indigenous community objectives.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 200,000

Creation of an Indigenous cultural center

$ 180,000

Management of Indigenous heritage sites

$ 200,000

Restoration of Indigenous artifacts at the Museum of Anthropology

$ 200,000

Traveling exhibition on Indigenous art and culture

$ 150,000

Presentation of Métis traditions

$ 120,000

Development of educational programs on Inuit heritage

Eligibility

Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements that applicants must meet in one of three defined categories.

Indigenous governing bodies or organizations with a mandate to preserve and support Indigenous heritage.
Museums associations and incorporated non-profit Canadian service organizations, whose membership relates to the museum sector, which:
- provide services to the public year-round;
- employ the equivalent of one full-time paid professional staff;
- have a current three to five-year strategic/business plan.
Incorporated non-profit Canadian museums which:
- provide services to the public year-round;
- employ the equivalent of one full-time paid professional staff;
- have policies for key museum functions;
- have a current three to five-year strategic/business plan.

Who is eligible?

Applicants must meet the criteria in one of three categories: Indigenous governing bodies or organizations with a mandate to preserve and support Indigenous heritage. OR Museums associations and incorporated non-profit Canadian service organizations, whose membership relates to the museum sector, which: - Provide services to the public year-round; - Employ the equivalent of one full-time paid professional staff; - Have a current three to five-year strategic/business plan. OR Incorporated non-profit Canadian museumsFootnote 1 which: - Provide services to the public year-round; - Employ the equivalent of one full-time paid professional staff; - Have policies for key museum functions; - Have a current three to five-year strategic/business plan.Funding priority is given to projects submitted by Indigenous organizations and conducted for the benefit of Indigenous communities. Applications submitted by other heritage organizations are considered when a partnership with an Indigenous heritage group is demonstrated.

Who is not eligible

Ineligibility for this grant is primarily based on the governance level and federal status of organizations. Restrictions ensure that funding aligns with the program's heritage and cultural objectives.

Federal departments, Crown corporations, and agencies.

Eligible expenses

This grant supports projects dedicated to the preservation, management, and presentation of Indigenous cultural heritage in Canada. Activities must align with the goal of benefiting Indigenous communities through enhanced heritage initiatives.

Projects focused on the preservation and protection of Indigenous cultural heritage.
Initiatives aimed at managing Indigenous heritage resources effectively.
Exhibitions or presentations designed to showcase Indigenous cultural heritage.
Collaborative projects between Indigenous organizations and other heritage organizations.

Selection criteria

There are evaluation and selection criteria for this grant. The criteria include:

Relevance of the project to Indigenous cultural heritage preservation and presentation
Clarity and feasibility of the project proposal
Demonstrated benefit to Indigenous communities
Evidence of partnership with Indigenous groups for non-Indigenous organization applications

How to apply

Review Guidelines

Consult the Application Guidelines – Indigenous Heritage thoroughly to understand requirements.

Contact Regional Office

Reach out to the nearest regional office of the Department of Canadian Heritage to discuss your project.

Prepare Application

Gather all necessary documents including your organization’s strategic/business plan if applicable.
Ensure any partnership with Indigenous heritage groups is documented if required.

Submit Application

Access the Canadian Heritage Funding Portal.
Complete the online application form with accurate project details and required attachments.
Submit all application materials by November 1, 2023, at 5 p.m. Eastern Time.

Follow-Up

Contact the Museums Assistance Program or regional office if you need assistance or clarification on the process.
Consider reaching out for status updates if not contacted within a reasonable timeframe.

Additional information

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

Funding priority is given to projects submitted by Indigenous organizations for the benefit of Indigenous communities.
Other heritage organizations can apply if they demonstrate a partnership with an Indigenous heritage group.
Under exceptional circumstances, applications may be considered outside the regular funding cycle, subject to fund availability.
Applicants are encouraged to contact their nearest regional office of the Department of Canadian Heritage to discuss their project before applying.
Agents are available to assist with queries from Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

Documents and links

Museums Assistance Program — Indigenous Heritage

Apply to this program

Frequently Asked Questions about the Museums Assistance Program — Indigenous Heritage Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the Museums Assistance Program — Indigenous Heritage. 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.

What is the Museums Assistance Program — Indigenous Heritage?

How much funding can be received?

What is the deadline to apply?

Is the Museums Assistance Program — Indigenous Heritage a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Who are the financial supporters of the Museums Assistance Program — Indigenous Heritage?

Who is eligible for the Museums Assistance Program — Indigenous Heritage program?

To be eligible for the Museums Assistance Program — Indigenous Heritage program, you must: Indigenous governing bodies or organizations with a mandate to preserve and support Indigenous heritage. Museums associations and incorporated non-profit Canadian service organizations related to the museum sector, providing year-round public services, employing full-time staff, and having a strategic business plan. Incorporated non-profit Canadian museums providing year-round public services, employing full-time staff, having policies for key functions, and possessing a strategic business plan.