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
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)