Celebrate Canada - How to obtain funding

Please note that the application period for funding has ended. Our goal is to issue an official written notification of the funding decision within 13 weeks from January 16, 2012.

Canadian Heritage provides financial support for activities organized during the Celebrate Canada period, from June 21st to July 1st. These activities celebrate National Aboriginal Day on June 21st, Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day on June 24th, Canadian Multiculturalism Day on June 27th and Canada Day on July 1st.

In 2012, Canada will commemorate the 60th anniversary of the reign of Her Majesty as Queen of Canada. To mark her Diamond Jubilee, Canadians will celebrate the Queen's reign, honour her service and dedication to this country, and showcase Canadian achievements of the last 60 years. In 2012, we will also mark the 200th Anniversary of the War of 1812, an important milestone in Canadian history.

In assessing proposals, the Department will give priority to applications that thematically integrate one or both of the above anniversaries into proposed activities.

Program Objectives

Funding for Celebrate Canada celebrations will provide Canadians opportunities to:

  • enable Canadians to appreciate Canada's cultural, ethnic, linguistic and geographic diversity.
  • create opportunities for Canadians to participate in celebrations that create a sense of pride and belonging to Canada.

Application Deadline  

Please note that the deadline to submit your funding application for the 2012 edition of Celebrate Canada is January 16, 2012.

If you wish to plan a celebration that will play a vital role and increase the sense of pride and belonging to all Canadians, consult the information and documentation on the funding application process.

Additional Information

In order to ensure that your funding request is processed in a timely manner, you must follow the steps indicated in the Application Guide. You are invited to submit your application as soon as possible on or before January 16, 2012.

Please make sure that your application is completed and signed. Incomplete applications will result in delayed processing and could be rejected.

Service Standards

Our goal is to acknowledge receipt of your application form within 15 calendar days. If you do not receive an acknowledgment after that period, please contact your Regional Office.

 

Eligible Recipients

  • Canadian not-for-profit organizations: corporations, cooperatives, and unincorporated associations, etc.;
  • Canadian business corporations where projects are non-commercial in nature;
  • Canadian educational institutions, Canadian municipal governments and other municipal, provincial or territorial institutions.

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Eligible Expenditures

Eligible expenditures must be pertinent, reasonable, and essential expenses required to accomplish the objectives of an eligible project and incurred no earlier than the application receipt date. These include:

  • promotional expenses, translation, communications, entertainment, supplies and equipment as well as reasonable travel for entertainers and hospitality expenses within Canada as per the guidelines set out by the Treasury Board of Canada; travel and hospitality expenses must be directly associated with the proposed activities related to the Celebrate Canada period;
  • for Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day, National Aboriginal Day and Canadian Multiculturalism Day, ceremonial and traditional food (such as bannock and salmon on National Aboriginal Day) may be eligible.
  • for Canada Day celebrations, birthday cake is the only eligible food expense, with the exception of requests for events held in the territories (Nunavut, Northwest Territories and Yukon), where all food expenses are eligible.
  • fireworks, and;
  • administrative costs (not exceeding 15% of the total contribution), including salaries and benefits, fees for professional services, bank charges, utilities and reasonable administrative travel/hospitality expenses within Canada.

Ineligible Expenditures

The following expenditures are not eligible for funding under the Celebrate Canada funding program:

  • costs related to capital projects;
  • lobbying activities, advocacy;
  • activities that are not directly related to events that take place during the Celebrate Canada period;
  • costs incurred prior to receipt of signed application package;
  • prizes, fairs and festivals; and
  • activities or services that take place outside Canada.

Funding Criteria

Funding decisions are based on available funds and assessments of applications received. The assessment of applications is a competitive process, and resources are limited.

Even if your organization and application are determined to be eligible, you are not guaranteed funding from the Program. If your application is successful, the funding you receive may be less than the amount requested.

If you require assistance to complete the application form, please contact your Regional Office.

Application Requirements

  • A complete, accurate and signed application form that includes a balanced budget is required. Failure to submit a complete application will result in a rejection.
  • If you previously received funding from the Department of Canadian Heritage but did not submit a Final Activity Report as required, you are not eligible for further funding.

Applications will be considered on the following basis:

  • Eligible projects will contribute to the achievement of the Program objectives.
  • Eligible activities will be publicly identified as funded by the Department of Canadian Heritage and held between June 21st and July 1st, 2012.
  • Admission fees will not be charged and donations will not be required for entry in order to ensure the events are accessible to the entire community.

Funding priority may be given to:

  • Proposals that seek wider participation and that are inclusive of various community groups such as minority communities (Aboriginal, official-language minority communities, and ethno-cultural communities) and youth; and
  • Recipients who have obtained financial or in-kind support from other sources.

Funding Terms

The Department provides funding to successful applicants by means of a Grant or Contribution. In the case of a Contribution, a written agreement sets out the parameters for reporting and payment. In the case of a Grant, the signed application and approval letter constitute the agreement.

The number of applications received will determine the amount of funding available. Funding levels provided will vary and be dependent on the scope of celebrations proposed.

Only one application per applicant for all events (National Aboriginal Day, Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day, Canadian Multiculturalism Day and Canada Day) will be accepted for the funding cycle.

Applicants who incur costs prior to notification of approval do so at their own risk. The earliest date at which costs may be eligible is the date your application is received by the Department.

Funds received from PCH not spent on Celebrate Canada events as stipulated in the written agreement are to be returned to the Department of Canadian Heritage.

Funding Application Form

Please consult the Celebrate Canada Funding Application Guide for information on how to complete the Funding Application Form (PDF Version, 476KB).


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Submitting Your Application

We strongly encourage you to scan your completed, signed and dated application and to submit it by email with attachments.

You may also send your completed, signed and dated form by fax, mail or courier to the Canadian Heritage Regional Office in your province or territory.

Funding Application Guide

[Funding Application Guide (PDF Version, 783KB)]

Part A - Information About the Organization

1. General Information

Organization's Legal Name

Enter the organization's full official name, as it appears on the Certificate of incorporation or registration document. If the applicant organization is not a corporation, enter the name commonly used.

Organization's Former Name (if applicable)

If the organization had a different name the last time it received funding from the Department, enter the former name in full.

2. Street Address

Enter the organization's street address. If an unincorporated organization, enter the address of the person authorized to sign for the organization.

3. Mailing Address

Enter the organization's complete mailing address when it differs from the Street Address.

4. Person Authorized to Sign for the Organization

Indicate the name of the person authorized to make decisions on the organization's use of funds. This is usually the Chairperson of the Board of Directors, a member of the Executive Board or the assigned Treasurer. The person must sign the application on behalf of the organization.

Please specify how the authorized representative should be addressed (e.g., Mr., Mrs., Ms., Dr., Reverend, etc.).

5. Contact Person

The contact person should be the resource person most knowledgeable about the planned activities.

6. Structure and Governance of Organization

Geographical Scope of Activity

Enter your organization's principal geographical area of operation (please choose only one, even if your organization operates in several):

  • Inter-provincial/Inter-territorial (active in at least two provinces or territories);
  • Provincial/Territorial (active throughout a province or territory);
  • Regional (active in at least two municipalities in a region);
  • Municipal (active in a municipality); or
  • Local (active in a community or neighbourhood).
Legal Status

This is the legal status of the Organization. Choose among the following:

  • Established as a Federal Corporation (incorporated). Please provide Date of Incorporation and Registration Number;
  • Established as a Provincial/Territorial Corporation (incorporated). Please provide Date of Incorporation and Registration Number; (This status should be used by Municipalities and First Nations governments);
  • In the process of becoming a Federal Corporation. Please provide Date of Application, leave "Number" empty;
  • In the process of becoming a Provincial/Territorial Corporation. Please provide Date of Application, leave "Number" empty;
  • Cooperative, Please provide Date and Number (if applicable);
  • Unincorporated Association. Leave "Date" and "Number" empty and complete section 13 of the form; or
  • Registered Charity. Please provide Canada Revenue Agency registration Date and Number (if applicable).
Official-language minority group

Official-language minority communities generally consist of Anglophones in Quebec and Francophones outside Quebec.

Mandate of the Organization

Enter the mandate of the organization according to the governing documents. If your organization is an unincorporated association or committee that does not have formal standing, please enter the purpose and scope of your organization.

Part B - Project Information

7. Project Description

Project title

The project title is the name given to your project. It is how your project will be referred to and how it will be promoted.

Project Description - Summary

Select one or more events from the following:

  • National Aboriginal Day;
  • Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day;
  • Canadian Multiculturalism Day; and
  • Canada Day

Enter the start date of the first event in "FROM" and the end date of the last event in "TO". Enter the City and Province where the celebrations will be held.

Indicate who the event(s) is (are) designed to reach by selecting one or more from the following:

  • Aboriginal/Ethnic Groups;
  • Adults;
  • Families;
  • General public;
  • Seniors; and
  • Youth.

Insert the expected number of participants for the entire duration.

Link with Program Objectives

Select all program objectives that your project will address.

Project Additional Information

This section is mandatory. Answer Yes or No to each question. Note that your project will not be eligible if you charge an admission fee.

Acknowledgement

Identify, in fifty (50) words or less, the means you will use to acknowledge support from Canadian Heritage. Please refer to Public Acknowledgment of Canadian Heritage Financial Assistance.

How will you ensure that your event(s) is (are) identified as Celebrate Canada events and are well publicized, fully accessible and well attended?

Identify, in fifty (50) words or less, the means you will use to identify events as Celebrate Canada events and how you will promote them to ensure maximum attendance, e.g., brochures, advertisement, posters, etc.

8. Description of Events

Event title

Please select one of the following events:

  • National Aboriginal Day;
  • Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day;
  • Canadian Multiculturalism Day, and;
  • Canada Day.
Description

In fifty (50) words or less, summarize the main elements, scope and reach of each event.

Activities

Please select one of the following activities:

  • Protocol ceremonies;
  • Cake or Traditional Food;
  • Children or Family activities;
  • Games;
  • Shows;
  • Fireworks;
  • Other.

Should your request for funding be approved, the date and location of your event(s) or activity(ies) cannot be changed without prior approval from the Department.

9. Environmental Assessment Checklist

Projects funded by the Department are subject to the provisions of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act.

The applicant shall ensure that all activities comply with federal, provincial/territorial and municipal laws and regulations, and related laws or guidelines with respect to environmental matters. If an environmental screening or assessment is required, the applicant organization is responsible for the environmental assessment and for any associated costs.

The Environmental Assessment Checklist must be completed or your application will be deemed incomplete.

Your answers will help determine if an Environmental Assessment is required. A Program Officer will contact you if additional information is required.

Note:  Costs related to Environmental Assessment are not eligible costs under Celebrate Canada.

10. Official Languages Checklist

English and French are the two official languages of Canada. The Government of Canada is committed to promoting both languages.

If you receive funding under this initiative you will be required to implement specific measures as per the three levels indicated below. Please note that these minimum requirements must respect provincial/territorial regulations or laws. In some instances, additional measures might be desirable.

A - Projects where the official-language minority community population is less than 5% of the overall population and the requested funding is less than $5,000:
  • The recipient is required to acknowledge the Department's support for the project in English and in French.
B - Projects where the official-language minority community population is less than 15% of the overall population and/or the requested funding is at least $5,000 but less than $50,000:
  • The recipient is required to acknowledge the Department's support for the project in English and in French
  • The recipient is required to provide basic project information and promotion in English and French (this includes announcements and media events to promote the event).
  • The recipient is required to have the main signage components at the event in English and French.
C - Projects where the official-language minority population is 15% or more of the overall population and/or the requested funding is more than $50,000:
  • The recipient is required to acknowledge the Department's support for the project in English and in French.
  • The recipient is required to provide basic project information and promotion in English and French (this includes announcements and media activities to promote the event);
  • The recipient is required to have the main signage components at the event in English and French;
  • The recipient is required to offer basic services at the event (e.g., public announcements, information kiosk, first aid, etc.) in English and French;
  • The recipient is required to invite the official-language minority community to participate in the event's programming, where appropriate.
Where can I find information on the official-language population in my community?

For information about the official-language population in your community, consult the following Statistics Canada Web site http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/censusrecensement/2006/dp-pd/prof/92-591/index.cfm?Lang=E or contact your Regional Office of the Department of Canadian Heritage. Please note that translation and signage expenses are eligible expenses under the Program.

Acknowledgement

Please remember that you need to acknowledge the federal funding in your promotional activities and events. There are numerous opportunities for acknowledging your federal contribution.

For more information, please refer to the Public Acknowledgment of Canadian Heritage Financial Assistance section of our Web site.

Part C - Expenses and Revenues

11. Expense Categories

Eligible Expenses

The date the application is received by Canadian Heritage is the earliest date expenses are eligible.

Eligible expenditures must be pertinent, reasonable, and essential expenses required to accomplish the objectives of an eligible project. These include but are not limited to:

Administrative Expenses

Eligible administrative expenses include salary and benefits, professional fees, bank charges, office supplies, utilities, travel and hospitality expenses. Each one is defined below.

  • Salaries: Remuneration of permanent and temporary employees. The Organization must provide a list of all paid positions associated to the project and their associated salaries.
  • Professional Fees: Sums paid to resource persons and consultants as well as amounts paid for professional services such as financial auditing.
  • Bank charges, office supplies and utilities: Expenses like paper, envelopes, telecommunications, electricity and bank services charges associated with the project.
  • Travel and Hospitality: Please indicate total travel costs (e.g. train, air, car, taxi, etc.) as well as meal and accommodation expenses incurred during the planning process of the project.
Entertainment Expenses

Entertainment expenses include fees for performers, artists, buskers, Masters of Ceremony, and reasonable travel and hospitality for entertainers within Canada as per the guidelines set out by the Treasury Board of Canada; travel and hospitality must be directly associated with the proposed activities related to Celebrate Canada.

Promotional Expenses

Promotional expenses include communications costs (brochures, community newsletters, newspaper ads, posters, messages distributed to the media, graphic design, signage, paid advertisement), translation and printing.

Logistics Expenses

Logistics costs include project expenses such as supplies for activities, equipment rental (tools, tables, chairs, tent, fencing, sound system, lighting, etc), security and safety (guards, paramedics).

Food Expenses
  • For Canada Day, birthday cake is the only eligible food expense, with the exception of activities organized in the Territories (Nunavut, Northwest Territories and Yukon), for which all food expenses are eligible.
  • For Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day, National Aboriginal Day and Canadian Multiculturalism Day, ceremonial and traditional food items such as bannock and salmon for National Aboriginal Day may be eligible.
Liability Insurance Expenses

Liability insurance is an eligible expense under the Program.

Other Expenses

Other expenses not included in previous categories are not eligible under Celebrate Canada. These include costs incurred prior to receipt of signed application package, prizes, international travel and other expenses as indicated in the Ineligible Expenditures section. None of these expenses can be funded by Canadian Heritage, however they should be included in your total project expenses.

Total Expenses

The electronic form will automatically calculate "Total Expenses".

This section contains the sum of the columns "Cash ($)", "In-Kind", and "Dollar Portion Requested from Canadian Heritage".

When the Application Form is completed by hand, the resulting sum of the "Portion Requested from Canadian Heritage" column should be copied to the corresponding row in Section 12 - Revenues.

12. Revenues

Dollar Portion Requested from Canadian Heritage

The electronic form will automatically calculate the "Dollar Portion Requested from Canadian Heritage".

If you are completing the form in hard copy, enter in this section the amount calculated from section 11, Total Expenses "Dollar Portion requested from Canadian Heritage" column.

Other Sources of Revenues

Identify all anticipated sources of revenue. Other sources include the contribution from the Organization, community partners, other government contributors, foundations, etc.

Indicate whether each source of revenue is confirmed (Yes/No). Indicate if the amount is "Cash ($)" or ""n-Kind" (donated services, material, equipment, volunteer services that are directly related to the project activities.)

The electronic form will automatically calculate the Sub-totals for "Cash ($)" and "In-Kind" and the "Total Revenues".

If you are completing the form in hard copy, calculate the sum of all "Cash ($)" and "In-Kind" amounts entered. Enter the sum in the corresponding Sub-total. Total Revenues is the sum of the Sub-totals added to the "Dollar Portion requested from Canadian Heritage". Enter this amount in "Total Revenues".

Remember:

Even if your organization and application are eligible, you are not guaranteed funding from the Department, and even if your application is successful, the funding you receive may be less than the amount requested.

Summary Tables

The electronic form will complete this section automatically using data from the Expenses and Revenues tables in section 11 and 12. It will confirm that your Expenses and Revenues are balanced.

If you are completing the form in hard copy, this table is not mandatory.

13. Unincorporated Applicant Acceptance of Responsibility

The Unincorporated Applicant Acceptance of Responsibility form is a fundamental requirement that is applicable to all unincorporated groups. Failure to submit this signed form with an application for funding will result in rejection of the application. A minimum of 2 signatures are required.

Part D - Documents Checklist

This list will help you confirm that you have included all the required documents in your application. Some documents are required and others are mandatory only in certain cases and are therefore identified as "(if applicable)". Select the box accordingly.

Part E - Attestation

This section must be complete for your application to be deemed receivable. The Organization and its representative(s) must attest that they have read, understand and agree to comply with all clauses.

Once complete the application constitutes a legally binding agreement between the Organization and Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada as represented by the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages and is effective the date the grant is approved by the Minister.

Signature

The application must be signed by a person (or persons) authorized by the organization. (Please refer to "Person Authorized to Sign for the Organization").

A document of authorization from the organization (e.g., Annual General Meeting motion, By-Law, Board of Directors' resolution, Delegation of Signing Authority form, etc.) may be requested by the Department as proof of authority.

Two signatures are needed in the case of an unincorporated applicant or if the organization's Constitution and By-Laws require it, otherwise, one signature will suffice.

Please ensure to send your Funding Application Form to your Canadian Heritage Regional Office.


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Final Activity Report

A Final Activity Report must be completed at the end of your event and sent to your Regional office no later than August 31st, 2012. If a completed report is not received, you will no longer be eligible for future funding.

This Activity Report may be completed electronically. It includes features to help simplify its completion. If you prefer, you may also print the Final Activity Report and complete it in paper format.

Once completed, this form can be scanned and transmitted by email or sent by fax, mail, courier or hand delivered to your Canadian Heritage Regional Office.

 

 

Note:

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