Opportunities Fund: Information for National Projects

National Projects

Content

Objective of National Projects

The national component of the Opportunities Fund Program supports multi-regional projects that demonstrate effective and innovative practices in assisting persons with disabilities. A budget of approximately $5.2 million is allotted annually to fund those national projects.

Types of Activities and Eligible Participants

Eligible Activities

The activities that may be supported under OF include:

1. Providing financial support to employers to encourage them to hire persons with disabilities whom they would not normally hire;

2. providing financial incentives to persons with disabilities to encourage them to accept employment;

3. supporting projects to help persons with disabilities create jobs for themselves by starting a business;

4. supporting projects that provide persons with disabilities with opportunities through which they can gain work experience which will lead to on-going employment;

5. providing financial assistance to persons with disabilities to help them obtain skills for employment, ranging from basic to advanced skills;

6. providing financial assistance to persons with disabilities to help them access employment or employment services;

7. providing financial assistance to support special services and interventions tailored to meet the needs of persons with disabilities in order to facilitate their integration into employment; and

8. providing financial assistance to support such other activities that, in the opinion of the Minister, promote the objective of the program.

No financial assistance in support of activities outlined in (e) which assist persons with disabilities to obtain skills for employment may be provided without the agreement of the government of the province or territory in which the activity will take place.

Eligible Recipients

Contributions may be made to the following when acting as project sponsors or employers in relation to an eligible activity:

• businesses, including federal crown corporations found on Schedule III, Part II of the Financial Administration Act and comparable provincial crown corporations,

• organizations, including public health and educational institutions, band/tribal councils and municipal governments,

• individuals, and

• provincial/territorial government departments and agencies if specifically approved by the Minister.

Contributions may also be made directly to eligible participants.

Terms & Conditions (PDF version | HTML version )

Eligible Employers and Project Applicants

Social Development Canada may arrange to deliver activities for persons with disabilities through businesses, public and private institutions, non-for-profit organizations, and other partners interested in developing employment or self-employment opportunities for persons with disabilities.

National projects must have activities in at least three provinces/territories.

Duration

The maximum duration for funding under an agreement will normally not exceed 52 weeks but may be extended to a total of 78 weeks.

National Organizations with Current Financial Contributions

How to apply

Organizations or groups which operate in a large area (at least three provinces/territories) may contact the national office of the Department of Social Development at: