How to obtain funding

Financial assistance is provided to support Celebrate Canada! activities during the Celebrate Canada! period from June 21 to July 1, (including National Aboriginal Day, on June 21, Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day on June 24, Canadian Multiculturalism Day on June 27 and culminating with Canada Day on July 1). Priority may be given to activities held on the specific 4 dates of Celebrate Canada!. Funding cannot be guaranteed.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: In order to expedite the processing of funding applications for “Celebrate Canada!” 2006, client groups are encouraged to submit their application forms by January 31, 2006. Funding application forms postmarked or otherwise delivered to your provincial/territorial Celebrate Canada Committee after March 31, 2006 cannot be considered.

Click here to download a print-friendly version of the 2006 funding application form (PDF version). For further information, please contact the Celebrate Canada Committee in your province or territory.

Eligible Recipients

• Non-governmental organizations;
  
  
• Ad-hoc committees;
  
  
• Community associations and charitable organizations;
  
  
• Public and private corporations (with the exception of Crown corporations);
  
  
• Municipal governments;
  
  
• Public and private schools;
  
  
• School boards and other educational institutions such as colleges and universities.

Funding Criteria

• Projects are for community events publicly identified as a Celebrate Canada! activity.
  
  
• Recipients have obtained donations/support from other sources.
  
  
• The funds provided by the Celebrate Canada! program are to assist with start-up costs of projects and are not intended as 100% funding. Groups are encouraged to make their activities increasingly self-supporting from year to year.
  
  
• Community events will not charge admission fees to ensure they are accessible to the entire community.
  
  
• Repeat applicants should have submitted the required evaluation forms for the most recently funded Celebrate Canada! community event(s). Failure to do so will result in the rejection of a new application.
  
  
• The organizing committee agrees to respect and apply the spirit and provisions of the existing Canadian Human Rights Act and the Official Languages Act.
  
  
• For projects celebrating Canadian Multiculturalism Day (June 27), priority will be given to intercultural activities and events.
  
  

Eligible Expenditures

Eligible expenses for funding requests include expenditures which can be directly linked to the program objective, i.e. promotional expenses, entertainment, supplies, equipment, etc.

Birthday cake is the only eligible food expense, with the exception of requests for events to be held in the territories. (Nunavut, Northwest Territories and Yukon) where all foods expenses are eligible.

Fireworks are an eligible expense. The application form for fireworks requests must be accompanied by:

1. a completed event liability waiver with all relevant signatures absolving the Crown of all liability;
   
   
2. an authorization form completed and signed by the local fireworks authority. Remember to obtain appropriate liability insurance.

In recognition of cultural diversity, Elders' honoraria are eligible expenses for events celebrating National Aboriginal Day (June 21).

NOTE: Salaries or honoraria of event organizers/planners are not eligible expenses for event funding applicants.

Application Requirements

Applications submitted by recipients to the Celebrate Canada! program MUST include:

• A project description.
  
  
• A signed waiver absolving the Crown of all liability for the event(s).
  
  
• A description of the organization's mandate, objectives and major activities.
  
  
• Proof that the governing authority has authorized the proposal (applies to incorporated organizations only) (e.g. Board of Directors' resolution or letter of authorization).
  
  
• A copy of the letters patent or corporate charter demonstrating the non-profit status (applies to incorporated organizations only). Repeat applicants are not required to resubmit.
  
  
• A detailed budget forecast and funding strategy.
  
  

In addition:

• Repeat applicants are asked to indicate both their current name and the previous name of their group, if applicable.
  
  
• The applicant will assume responsibility for any deficit incurred as a result of activities undertaken.
  
  
• A detailed evaluation form, and a financial statement, must be submitted to your provincial/territorial Celebrate Canada Committee and must be postmarked no later than July 31.
  
  
• The information provided in this application may be used for program evaluation purposes. Details of your project, including information about the individuals mentioned in the application as being members of the group, may be used in publicity releases.
  
  
• Funds not spent on Celebrate Canada celebrations should be returned to the provincial/territorial Celebrate Canada Committee. Cheques are to be made payable to the Receiver General for Canada.