Social and Community Initiatives Support Program (SCISP) – Participation and Inclusion Component

Who is eligible?

• Legally constituted non-profit organizations (NPOs) active within the community

Who is not eligible

• Organizations incorporated for less than 12 months.
• Entities whose main activities are political, religious, union-related, or professional associations, as well as foundations primarily focused on fundraising and redistributing funds.
• Organizations listed in the Register of Enterprises Ineligible for Public Contracts (RENA).
• Organizations that have failed to meet previous financial aid obligations with the Ministry within the last two years after being duly notified.

Eligible expenses

• Necessary expenses directly related to the execution of approved projects.
• Costs for publication and dissemination of research and evaluation project results.
• Salaries for human resources directly engaged in implementing approved projects, provided wages align with the organization’s usual pay structure for similar positions and tasks.

Eligible geographic areas

• Organizations legally constituted and operating primarily in Quebec.

• Pertinence of the project in relation to the ministry’s field of responsibility, objectives, and priorities, as well as its complementarity with other projects funded by the ministry.
• Realism of the project plan and timeline.
• Capacity of the organization to successfully carry out the project, including expertise, partners, and financial capability.
• Expected benefits and impacts of the project in connection with the specific objectives of the program.
• Innovative and structuring aspects of the project, including potential for reuse within the community.

• Step 1: Review Program Guidelines
  • Consult the Normative Framework (“Cadre normatif”) for the Social and Community Initiatives Support Program – Participation and Inclusion Component to ensure alignment with program criteria and requirements.
• Step 2: Prepare Application Documents
  • Prepare a detailed project description including the project context, needs addressed, objectives, expected results, activity planning, stakeholder involvement, anticipated impacts, and sustainability.
  • Compile required organizational documents: board resolution supporting the application, letters patent/charter, organization by-laws, most recent annual activity report and board approval minutes, most recent financial statements, a detailed project budget, list of board members for the current year, and the final report from any previous phase (if applicable).
• Step 3: Complete Funding Application
  • Draft and finalize your complete funding request, ensuring all required information and supporting documentation are included.
• Step 4: Submit Application
  • Send the completed application and supporting documents to the Ministère de l’Emploi et de la Solidarité sociale as specified in program guidelines.
  • If clarification is needed, address questions to sacais.psisc@mess.gouv.qc.ca.
• Step 5: Await Confirmation and Decision
  • The ministry will review your submission for completeness and eligibility.
  • If your project is deemed ineligible, you will be notified of the reasons.
  • If approved, you will be required to sign a grant agreement specifying terms and payment schedules.

• Subsidy disbursements are typically made in two or three installments, with details set by the funding agreement and may vary depending on project characteristics and financial availability.
• No appeals process is available regarding funding decisions made within this program.
• All program standards are valid until March 31, 2027, after which a review and renewal will take place.
• Information and updates related to the program, including calls for proposals, are periodically released and applicants are encouraged to monitor program communications.