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Closed
Reconciliation focus area
Indigenous-led reconciliation funding for system change
Last Update: May 6, 2026
Funding available
Varies by project
Timeline
- Receipt of requests is now closed
Location
Canada
Overview
Supports Indigenous-led reconciliation projects and collaborative funding models. Funding is aimed at advancing a reconciliation economy and can support multi-year initiatives aligned with the National Indigenous Economic Strategy.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Develop a new program or service
- Improve governance or administrative structure
Eligible Funding
- Varies by project
Timeline
- Receipt of requests is now closed
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Public administration
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- Non-profit
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Research
- Economic, Social and Community Development
- Civic and Advocacy Organizations
- Grant-making Foundations
Target groups
- Indigenous peoples
- Nonprofits / charities
- Community leaders
Revenue structures
- 100% donations / grants
Scope
- National
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Indigenous-led solutions linked to the National Indigenous Economic Strategy Calls to Economic Prosperity.
- Indigenous-led collaborative funding projects that redistribute resources and power to Indigenous communities.
- Policy change efforts tied to economic reconciliation.
Documents Needed
- Short-form application
- Detailed application, if invited
- Budget template
- Supporting documents, if applicable
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Indigenous-led organizations and Indigenous communities
- Canadian registered charities and other qualified donees
- Non-profit organizations in Canada
- Non-qualified donees, where permitted under the Foundation’s process
Who is not eligible
- For-profit organizations, except in rare and specific situations
- Organizations or projects based outside Canada
- Private schools
- Projects focused on international development
- Projects mainly tied to basic academic research or partisan political activity
Eligible expenses
- Project-related salaries and operating costs, when linked to the initiative.
- Costs needed to carry out the proposed project or collaborative funding model.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- General fundraising campaigns, including fundraising salaries.
- Deficit reduction, operating shortfalls, or endowments.
- Ongoing operating costs or frontline service delivery.
- Partisan political activities, religious purposes, or basic academic research.
- Projects based outside Canada, international development, construction, renovation, or building purchases.
Eligible geographic areas
- Canada
Processing and Agreement
- Stage 1 short proposal is reviewed first.
- If the proposal is a fit, the applicant is invited to Stage 2.
- Staff review the detailed application and may start due diligence with a phone call.
- The Foundation’s Board makes the final funding decision.
- Applicants are usually informed within about one month on Stage 2 eligibility, and the full process can take four to six months.
Additional information
- No application deadline for focus area funding.
- Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis.
- Virtual office hours are available for project fit questions.
- Applications must be submitted through the online portal.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Reconciliation focus area Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Reconciliation focus area. 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 Reconciliation focus area?
Supports Indigenous-led reconciliation projects and collaborative funding models. Funding is aimed at advancing a reconciliation economy and can support multi-year initiatives aligned with the National Indigenous Economic Strategy.
Who is eligible for the Reconciliation focus area program?
To be eligible for the Reconciliation focus area program, you must:
Project aligned with Reconciliation goals
Project based in Canada
Indigenous-led or Indigenous-focused
What expenses are eligible under Reconciliation focus area?
Indigenous-led solutions linked to the National Indigenous Economic Strategy Calls to Economic Prosperity.
Indigenous-led collaborative funding projects that redistribute resources and power to Indigenous communities.
Policy change efforts tied to economic reconciliation.
Who can I contact for more information about the Reconciliation focus area?
You can contact The J.W. McConnell Family Foundation (MCF) by email at none or by phone at 514-288-2133.
Where is the Reconciliation focus area available?
The Reconciliation focus area program is available across Canada.
Is the Reconciliation focus area a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Reconciliation focus area is a Partnering and Collaboration
Who are the financial supporters of the Reconciliation focus area?
Reconciliation focus area is funded by The J.W. McConnell Family Foundation (MCF)