Women and Gender Equality Canada — Women’s Economic and Leadership Opportunities Fund 2026

• Proof that your organization is legally constituted.
• Letters patent or a certificate of incorporation issued by a provincial or territorial authority.
• A certificate of incorporation issued under the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act.

Who is eligible?

• Canadian not-for-profit organizations.
• Organizations that are legally constituted and can provide proof of incorporation or were created under an Act.
• Organizations with experience in advancing equality for women.
• One application per organization for this call for proposals.

Who is not eligible

• Not-for-profit organizations without experience in advancing equality for women; Canadian for-profit organizations.
• Indigenous governments, including band councils, tribal councils, self-government entities, and related agencies.
• Provinces, territories, municipalities, and related agencies.
• Research organizations and institutes, centres of expertise, educational institutions, and individuals.
• Organizations outside Canada; political parties and organizations involved in partisan political activities.

Eligible expenses

• Travel costs necessary to deliver the project, within National Joint Council Travel Directive rates.
• Salaries and benefits for staff directly related to project delivery.
• Honoraria and professional fees, including those paid to Indigenous Elders.
• Materials and supplies, spaces used for project activities, translation, project-related training, publicity and promotion, and other direct costs such as refreshments or meals during key project activities.
• Administrative costs for project oversight, office space, telephones, computer equipment, IT maintenance, accounting, and insurance.

Ineligible Costs and Activities

• Core or operational funding for ongoing activities, existing projects, engagement, or advocacy.
• Delivering services or programs, charging participant fees, training staff or volunteers unless it increases organizational capacity, or activities that create unfair advantage or profit.
• Construction or renovation; purchase, lease, or long-term rental of real property; religious or partisan political activities.
• Activities outside Canada or addressing international issues; lobbying; violent rallies, demonstrations or protests; boycotts; litigation, including legal challenge.
• Non-project costs such as rent, utilities, telephones, property taxes, staff equipment, non-required insurance or audits, capital expenditures other than certain computer equipment, alcohol or cannabis, board compensation, bonuses, severance, long-term sick leave, parental leave, deficits, reserves, debt reduction, contingency costs, pre-decision expenses, redistribution of funds, or debt repayment/loss recovery.

• Projects that improve women’s access to leadership, advance women in STEM, trades and other traditionally male-dominated fields, or create opportunities in an AI-driven economy may be prioritized.
• Projects focused on Indigenous women, women with disabilities, 2SLGBTQI+ members, newcomers or migrants, Black or racialized women, official language minority communities, seniors, young women and girls, low-income women, rural, remote or northern women, or another departmental gap may be prioritized.
• Applications are assessed on GBA Plus integration and whether the identified needs align with the call for proposals.
• Applications are assessed on objective alignment, measurable work plans, sustainability, and an itemized budget linked to eligible activities and within the maximum amount for the selected project scope.

• Create an account in the new FEGC funding portal.
• Access the funding portal to complete and submit your application.

• You receive a confirmation email after submission.
• The minister makes the funding decisions, and the decisions are final and not appealable.
• If your project is approved, you must sign an agreement with the ministry before starting project activities.
• Approved projects must submit progress reports and a final report, as specified in the agreement.
• Beneficiaries must provide results data and participate in program evaluations and audits.

• Quebec organizations must determine whether the Loi sur le ministère du Conseil exécutif (M-30) applies to them; if so, they must obtain authorization from the Government of Quebec before signing an agreement with the Ministry.