GrantStation Canadian Insider: April 25, 2025

Application deadline: Expressions of interest for Capacity Building Grants are due by May 30, 2025. The remaining 2025 deadlines for Reconciliation Action Grants are June 12, September 10, and December 10. 
Grant amount: Up to $175,000
Description: The Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack Fund aims to build cultural understanding and create a path toward reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada. The Oshki Wupoowane | The Blanket Fund provides support to Indigenous people as well as Indigenous-led initiatives and organizations for Indigenous cultural, artistic, and educational activities. Two types of grants are available: Reconciliation Action Grants support reconciliation activities, events, and initiatives in communities that contribute to cultural revitalization; elevate Indigenous culture, languages, and traditions; increase understanding between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples; or involve other grassroots reconciliation efforts. Capacity Building Grants provide multi-year support to grassroots Indigenous charities, programs, communities, and initiatives with the potential for significant impact.

Application deadline: May 14, 2025, for letters of intent
Grant amount: Up to $1,000,000 annually
Description: Resilient Futures is a $60 million Prosper Canada initiative, funded by the Government of Canada, to enhance financial stability for Canadians nationwide facing economic hardship. Through this initiative, funding supports community-based financial empowerment programs to ensure that free, essential services reach those most in need. Key focus areas include providing tax filing, access to benefits, and financial education; delivering one-on-one financial help, such as financial counseling or coaching; expanding outreach to priority communities, including Black communities, First Nations, Métis and Inuit, and those living with disabilities; and strengthening local networks and referral systems to improve financial outcomes. Organizations can apply through three funding streams to provide free financial empowerment services for those living on low to moderate incomes.

Application deadline: Applications are accepted through the year.
Grant amount: $500 to $2,000
Description: The mandate of the Excellence in Literacy Foundation (ELF) is to support literacy initiatives geared towards marginalized children and youth, aged 5 to 29. The ELF makes small grants to registered Canadian charities to support direct literacy program delivery for children and youth overcoming barriers, including those that are from low-income communities (including newcomer and Indigenous communities), are homeless, have differing identities, or are neurodiverse. Grants can be used for literacy programs and operating expenses such as salary and program materials. Book buying projects not associated with a literacy program will not be funded.

Application deadline: May 31, 2025, for project introduction forms
Grant amount: Grants of $5,000 are awarded.
Description: The mission of the Olive Tree Foundation is to promote and perpetuate philanthropy and enhance community life through responsible grantmaking in Canada. The Foundation’s funding priorities consist of anti-racism and Islamophobia, climate action, Indigenous issues, interfaith issues, and youth. Support is also provided for charitable activities in the areas of arts, culture, and heritage; education and library services; policy institutes and think tanks; and social, health, and community services. Registered charities as well as organizations sponsored by a registered charity are eligible to apply.

Application deadline: None
Geographic scope: Alberta
Grant amount: The funding rate is $500 per metric ton, based on the net weight of electronic materials.
Description: The Alberta Recycling Management Authority (ARMA) is the organization that leads the stewardship and oversight of designated recycling programs in Alberta. ARMA's Electronics Recycling Roundup Grant allows schools, nonprofits, and community groups to increase recycling awareness and raise funds while making it easier for Albertans to recycle their old electronics. Working with registered electronics processors, organizations encourage their community to bring old electronics for collection. The organization then receives money by weight. 

Application deadline: The remaining 2025 deadlines are May 12, August 22, and October 24. 
Geographic scope: New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island
Description: The Windsor Foundation provides support in the Maritime Provinces. The Foundation has two key areas of interest: 1) programs, projects, and initiatives in the general community which provide services to or benefits for the disadvantaged or vulnerable, and for those physically and intellectually challenged; and 2) creative higher education programs in universities and community colleges.

Application deadline: May 31, annually
Geographic scope: Primarily Quebec
Description: The Simple Plan Foundation, which primarily provides support in Quebec, aims to help young people in need by easing their difficult passage to adulthood and by supporting the victims of life-threatening illnesses. The Foundation targets the following areas: 1) helping groups and organizations working with young people facing typical teenage problems, including drugs, depression, bullying, dropping out of school, suicide, and poverty, as well as those affected by war; 2) supporting various social and medical organizations dedicated to helping children and youth with disabilities or those that are ill; and 3) promoting musical training in schools as a way of helping young people develop a passion and find a purpose in life.

Application deadline: September 15, 2025
Geographic scope: Canada
Description: The Canada History Fund encourages Canadians to improve their knowledge of Canada’s history, civics, and public policy. The Fund supports the production of learning materials, the organization of learning activities, and the creation or maintenance of networks. Eligible applicants include post-secondary educational institutions as well as organizations with a mandate focused on Canadian history, civics, or public policy, and a demonstrated track record of successfully delivering programming nationally. 

Application deadline: May 31, 2025
Geographic scope: British Columbia
Grant amount: Up to $250,000
Description: The Community Gaming Grants program distributes funds from commercial gambling revenues to nonprofit organizations. Program Grants are currently available to organizations that deliver organized sports programs to youth and amateur athletes. Examples of eligible sports programs include Special Olympics, Senior Games, instructional adult sports, and youth sports that build foundational skills or a pathway to competition. (Applications for public safety, environment, and human and social services will open later in the year.)

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When we find a potential grant, sometimes we get so excited about what does qualify that we forget to look at what doesn't qualify. Always remember to check out a funder's restrictions before moving into deeper research. Not only can you verify that you won't be wasting your valuable time, but the restrictions section often includes clarifications about certain types of support. Also double-check any geographic restrictions, such as whether your organization needs to be headquartered in the funder's service area or just providing services in the region.

Webinar date: April 30, 2025, 2:00 to 3:00 PM Eastern Time
Description: During this live demo and Q&A session, Jeremy Smith, Learning and Engagement Specialist, and Kerry Glauser, Director of Research, will show you how you can use GrantStation to complete your grant research quickly and get high-quality results. You’ll walk away ready to utilize GrantStation to find funding opportunities that are perfect for your organization, build a solid grantseeking strategy, and write winning proposals.

Webinar date: May 1, 2025, 2:00 to 4:00 PM Eastern Time
Description: AI tools can help you generate first drafts of your grant proposals quickly, potentially allowing you to apply to more grants and get more funding. However, given the large number of new AI tools available and the many different ways to employ these tools, getting started can feel overwhelming. During this live workshop, Alice Ruhnke and David Gates will help you get started using AI tools so you’re confident using them to save time and streamline your nonprofit work.

Webinar date: Begins May 14, 2025, 2:00 to 3:30 PM Eastern Time
Description: Is a capital campaign in your future? During this Power of 3 series, Kevin Wallace and Melissa Sais of CampaignCounsel.org will show you that while all communities, nonprofits, and their projects are unique, capital campaigns are built on a proven process. Following that process can help your organization succeed. Sessions in this series include Are You Ready for a Capital Campaign?, Capital Campaigns: Assessing Feasibility and Needs, and The Stages and Challenges During a Capital Campaign.

Take ownership of your funding journey. GrantStation supports organizations of all sizes in achieving meaningful, lasting impact. 

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GrantStation shares database profiles of local, national, Canadian, and international grantmakers with upcoming deadlines each week. Check out the current Funding Spotlights on our homepage for more grant opportunities!