Women's Program - Funding

The Women's Program provides funding and technical assistance for projects that have a direct impact on women in their communities. Applicants must demonstrate how their projects contribute to the achievement of the full participation of women in the economic, social and cultural life of Canada. Priority will be given to projects addressing issues pertaining to the following:

• aboriginal women;
• immigrant women and visible minority women;
• senior women.

Eligibility Criteria

Incorporated *non-profit and for-profit Canadian organizations whose mandates are consistent with the objective of the Women's Program.

To be eligible for Women's Program funding, an organization's mandate and objectives must reflect:

• Section 15 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which stipulates,  "(1) Every individual is equal before and under the law and has the right to the equal protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination and, in particular, without discrimination based on race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age or mental or physical disability" and "(2) Subsection (1) does not preclude any law, program or activity that has as its object the amelioration of conditions of disadvantaged individuals or groups, including those that are disadvantaged because of race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age or mental or physical disability"; and
• It functions democratically and demonstrates responsible governance;
• It demonstrates fiscal responsibility and organizational stability.

Eligible Activities

Funding is provided for activities related to a project that:

• contributes to the objective of the Women's Program;
• falls within one or more of the Program's funding areas (economic, social and cultural situation of women in Canada);
• occurs within a specific time period;
• articulates clear plans to achieve outcomes;
• involves women who are affected by the issue in all aspects of the project (e.g. planning, implementation, follow-up, and evaluation); and
• identifies other sources of financial and/or "in-kind" support that are confirmed in writing.

Costs directly related to the project are eligible for consideration, including:

• travel costs within Canada;
• travel costs outside of Canada for activities related to the United Nations or the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women;
• salaries and benefits;
• honoraria/professional fees;
• facility rental and utilities;
• office equipment and furniture (up to a maximum of $10 000 per project);
• materials and supplies;
• publicity and promotion;
• consultations; and
• audit and evaluation.

Funding is not provided for 100% of the total costs of any project.

Summary

Assistance in applying for funding is available from Status of Women Canada's national and regional offices. It is recommended that you contact Women's Program staff who can provide information, discuss issues, determine eligibility, assist in developing the project, assess its potential for funding and provide an Application Form. The Application Form is also available on the Status of Women Canada Web site. The work that goes into preparing an application is recognized and efforts have been made to design a process which is as straightforward as possible.

Proposals that are national in scope should be discussed with Program staff at Women's Program Headquarters. A project is considered national if it involves at least three of the five regions of Canada.  All other proposals should be submitted to the nearest Status of Women Canada regional office.

Funding decisions may take up to 12 weeks, starting from the receipt of a completed application by the Women's Program. All funding decisions are made by the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women.

*Note: "non-profit" also known as nonprofit organizations, non profit organizations, not-for-profit organizations, voluntary organizations and volunteer organizations.

New Brunswick Contact(s):
Status of Women Canada
Room 109
1045 Main Street
Moncton, New Brunswick  E1C 1H1
Telephone: 506-851-3970
Fax: 506-851-3610
TTY (hearing impaired): 613-996-1322
E-mail: wpppf@swc-cfc.gc.ca
Web site: http://www.swc-cfc.gc.ca/index_e.html

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National Contact(s):
Status of Women Canada
10th Floor
MacDonald Building
123 Slater Street
Ottawa, Ontario  K1P 1H9
Telephone: 613-995-7835
Fax: 613-957-3359
TTY (hearing impaired): 613-996-1322
E-mail: wpppf@swc-cfc.gc.ca
Web site: http://www.swc-cfc.gc.ca/index_e.html