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

Who is eligible?

• Legally constituted non-profit organizations
• Educational institutions recognized by the ministère de l’Éducation du Québec or the ministère de l'Enseignement supérieur

Who is not eligible

• For-profit businesses.
• Non-incorporated nonprofit organizations.
• Cooperatives (except family economy cooperative associations).
• Government ministries or agencies.
• Municipal organizations and regional county municipalities (MRCs).
• Organizations with partisan political, religious, union, or professional activities, as well as foundations focused mainly on fundraising and fund redistribution.
• Organizations listed on the Register of Enterprises Ineligible for Public Contracts (RENA).
• Organizations that have failed to meet obligations related to previous financial aid from the Ministry in the past two years after a formal notice.

Eligible expenses

• Necessary and directly related expenses for the execution of approved projects.
• Expenses for publishing and disseminating the results of research and evaluation projects.
• Salaries for human resources directly involved in implementing approved projects, provided wages are consistent with the organization’s usual rates for comparable positions and tasks.

Eligible geographic areas

• Quebec

• Pertinence of the project in relation to the responsibilities, objectives, and priorities of the Ministry, and complementarity with other funded projects.
• Realism and quality of project planning.
• Capacity of the organization to carry out the project, considering its expertise, that of its partners, and financial capacity.
• Expected outcomes and alignment with the specific objectives of the program.
• Potential for lasting impacts, innovation, and possible recurring funding after the grant period.

• Step 1: Review Program Guidelines
  • Consult the "Cadre normatif du Programme de soutien aux initiatives sociales et communautaires (PSISC)" to understand all applicable rules and requirements.
• Step 2: Prepare Application Content
  • Develop a clear project description outlining the context, objectives, expected outcomes, and relevance to PSISC goals.
  • Detail the human, material, and financial resources, including any other funding sources.
  • Provide a schedule of planned activities, their connection to objectives, and a timeline for project delivery.
  • Identify partners and stakeholders involved or approached for the project.
  • Assess anticipated impacts and the durability of project outcomes.
  • Prepare a detailed budget, specifying the requested amount and justification for expenses.
  • Include contact information for the project manager.
• Step 3: Gather Required Documentation
  • For non-profit organizations, include a board resolution supporting the application and designating the authorized signatory.
  • Attach a copy of the organization's statutes (charter, letters patent, or constituting documents), if not previously submitted or amended.
  • Provide internal bylaws, if not previously submitted or amended since the last annual report.
  • Submit the latest adopted annual activity report, or evidence it was at least presented at the annual general assembly.
  • Include the most recent year-end financial report, adopted by the board and signed by an administrator, along with a statement of revenues and government contributions, according to organizational size and government funding received.
  • Attach detailed budget forecasts for the project and, if applicable, the previous phase’s final report.
  • Provide the current year’s board member list and a signed extract of the last annual general assembly minutes confirming democratic functioning.
• Step 4: Submit the Application
  • Send all required documents and the completed application by email as specified in program guidelines.
  • Contact the program administrators at sacais.psisc@mess.gouv.qc.ca for questions or further guidance.
• Step 5: Await Confirmation and Review
  • After submitting, monitor communications for confirmation of receipt or requests for additional information.

• The financial support provided under this program is non-recurring and cannot be used for an organization's regular activities or core mission.
• The duration standards for this program apply until March 31, 2027, and may be revised afterwards.
• No review of the decision can be requested once a funding decision has been issued by the Ministry.
• Funded projects already supported by the Fonds d’aide à l’action communautaire autonome, in whole or in part, are ineligible for this program.