Inter-Action (Projects): Funding Guidelines

Inter-Action, Canada’s new Multiculturalism Grants and Contributions Program, is administered by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC). The Program supports CIC’s mandate, as well as the Canadian Multiculturalism Act, by assisting in the socio-economic integration of individuals and communities and helping them to contribute to building an integrated and socially cohesive society.

The Inter-Action Projects stream provides funding for long-term, multi-year community development/engagement projects to promote integration. Applications are usually considered during a Call for Proposals (CFP) process. [ Note 1 ]

These guidelines will help you complete the General Application Form (GAF).

Funding provided under the Inter-Action Projects stream focuses on projects aligned with one or more of the following program objectives:

Building an integrated, socially cohesive society by: building bridges between communities to promote intercultural understandingfostering citizenship, civic memory, civic pride, and respect for core democratic values grounded in our historypromoting equal opportunity for individuals of all origins.Improving the responsiveness of institutions to the needs of a diverse population by: assisting federal and public institutions to become more responsive to diversity by integrating multiculturalism into their policy and program development and service delivery.Actively engaging in discussions on multiculturalism and diversity at the international level by: promoting Canadian approaches to diversity as a successful model while contributing to an international policy dialogue on issues related to multiculturalism. (Funding for this objective will be primarily for activities that take place in Canada.)

The following individuals, groups, and institutions are eligible for project funding:

Canadian not-for-profit organizations or associationsnon-federal public institutions, such as boards of education, schools, colleges, and universities, chambers of commerce, law enforcement and police agencies, hospitals and other health care institutionsregional and municipal governments and their agenciesFirst Nations and Inuit governments, band councils, and Aboriginal organizationsprivate sector (eligible for contributions only) - applications from the private sector must include at least one not-for-profit partner providing financial or in-kind supportCanadian citizens and permanent residents.

Eligible types of activities are:

mentorships and unpaid internships skills development initiatives for project beneficiariesnetwork and partnership developmentleadership and volunteerism initiativesknowledge sharing initiativesconferences (eligible for contributions only)meetings, events, and workshops as part of a larger initiativedevelopment of public educational materialsdevelopment of programs, policies, and services related to diversity and integration.

Eligible expenditures must relate directly to the project activities and may include (this list is not exhaustive):

salaries [ Note 2 ] and employee benefits, including professional, consulting and legal fees (normally not to exceed 50% of total approved funding)equipment rental/services not normally used in an organization’s daily operationsdomestic & international travel [ Note 3 ]liability insurance [ Note 4 ]Hospitality [ Note 3 ] (meals and refreshments for workshop participants only as per Treasury Board Secretariat Guidelines)audit & evaluation [ Note 5 ]expenses related to meetings/workshops/conferencesadministration (see below)communications/publicitychild care directly related to an activityproject-related materials

NOTE: Administrative costs should not exceed 15% of the total approved funding from the Inter-Action Projects stream. Administrative costs may include:

bank chargesutilitiesoffice suppliespostage, couriertelephone, fax, Internetphotocopying/printingrent for office spacetranslation from one to another Official Language

The Inter-Action Projects stream does not fund (this list is not exhaustive):

core program expenses such as: any type of Director’s fees for volunteer members of Boards or other governing bodies annual or regular executive board meetings of an organization or associationongoing production or development of newsletters, websites, newspapers, magazines, journals, or radio and television broadcastscapital costs or expendituresstart-up and operational costs for organizationsactivities already undertaken or completed before the signing of a contribution agreement eligible costs that exceed the Government of Canada’s Travel and Hospitality Directive profit-making activities provision of certain direct, one-to-one services, e.g. individual counseling and paid internships contingency/miscellaneous feesin-kind expenses.

Although funding for recently approved projects has ranged from $25,000 to $1.4 million per project, precise amounts will be based on such factors as value for money, project duration, planned activities, scope of project and funding from other sources. Other factors such as availability of funding in relation to the number of applications will also be taken into consideration.

Proposals will be acknowledged no later than 7 business days after the Call for Proposals [ Note 6 ] closes.Applicants will be advised of applicant and project eligibility no later than 30 business days of the date of CIC’s acknowledgement letter. This determination will be based on whether: the General Application Form is completethe project responds one or more of the program objectivesthe applicant is an eligible recipientthe project activities are eligible.Eligible applicants will be provided with a funding decision within 90 business days of CIC advising applicants of their application and project eligibility, or will be notified if any additional processing time is required.

Eligible projects will be assessed against the following criteria:

Proposal demonstrates that the project contributes to one or more of the program objectives.Project supports one or more of the priorities outlined in the Call for Proposals.The need for, and the value-added of, this project are supported by evidence clearly expressed in the proposal.Project has confirmed partners to provide financial (in-kind or cash) and/or other types of support. Proposed activities create concrete opportunities for positive interaction between different communities.Project activities are clearly described and are directly related to the results of the project.Stakeholders/beneficiaries are active participants in project design and implementation. Expected project results are realistic and measurable.Project is designed to effectively reach appropriate target audience and beneficiaries.Proposed budget is reasonable and reflects due regard for efficient and prudent use of public funds. Proposed budget is balanced and sufficiently detailed. All costs and revenues related to the project have been itemized and explained in detail. Applicant has demonstrated experience and capacity to deliver (with regard to past experience, financial situation, human resource capacity, and governance structure).Resources are planned to allow for successful, efficient, and timely implementation of the project.Project has an effective performance measurement plan to measure/report on results.The project has a dissemination plan to share results.

This glossary provides definitions for some important terms used in the Funding Guidelines and the General Application Form.

Administrative costs: Administrative expenses, such as office supplies, telephone, fax, Internet, utilities, postage, courier, photocopying/printing, rent for office space, and translation costs. Only administration costs directly related to the project are eligible for funding under the Inter-Action Projects stream.Audit: If your organization is approved for funding, audited financial statements may be required in the contribution agreement reporting requirements. These statements must be certified by a Certified Accountant (the auditor) according to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).Benefits: The employer portion (net of payroll deductions from employees) related to: statutory benefits, such as Canada Pension Plan, Régime des rentes du Québec, employment insurance, vacation pay, workers’ compensation premiums, and provincial health plans where applicablenon-statutory benefits, such as group insurance coverage for medical, dental, disability, life insurance, and other items.Contribution: Transfer payment subject to performance conditions specified in a funding agreement. A contribution is to be accounted for and is subject to audit.Core operating expenditures: Capital expenditures incurred to acquire physical assets that have a useful life beyond the life of the project (i.e., property, equipment), or that add to the value of existing physical assets, as well as everyday expenditures incurred by your organization.Evaluations: Systematic collection and analysis of data needed to make decisions involving assessing the strengths and weaknesses of a project. Evaluations are mandatory for all contributions to ensure that expected results have been met.Event: An organized activity or an intercultural or interfaith celebration open to the general public. It should provide for short-term community interaction (typically from a few hours to a few days) for a diverse audience independent of any long-term program or project. Examples of events are found in Eligible Events.Expected results:  Benefits, consequences, or changes expected to occur as a result of the project. Results should demonstrate the present status of the issue or gap and indicate to what extent it will be improved or changed. Results can be identified as short-, mid-, or long-term. Short- and mid-term results should be specific and measurable (quantitatively and qualitatively) by the project’s end, or shortly after.Fiscal year: The12-month period used by an organization as its accounting period. (i.e., the Government of Canada’s fiscal year runs from April 1 of a given year to March 31 of the following year).Grant: Transfer payment subject to pre-established eligibility and other entitlement criteria. A grant is not subject to being accounted for by its recipient or subject to audit by the Department. The recipient will be requested to report on results achieved.Honorarium: Payment to a professional person for services for which fees are not legally or traditionally required.Hospitality: Provision of food and drink.In-kind contribution: Contribution by an individual, business, or organization, of materials, goods, services, or time that would otherwise be a necessarily incurred expense. In-kind contributions are considered real contributions to the cost of the proposed activities but are not reimbursable. Donated goods and services may be considered in-kind contributions if they are essential to a project’s success; if they would otherwise have to be purchased or paid for by the recipient; if they can be measured at fair market value (i.e., in relation to similar goods and services); and, if they are balanced by an equal expense in the project budget.Liability insurance: Any public event funded by the Inter-Action Projects stream must be covered by insurance.Mentorship: Refers to a personal developmental relationship in which a more experienced or knowledgeable person helps a less experienced or knowledgeable person.Partner: All parties (individuals, communities, community-based organizations, public and private sector institutions, and funding bodies) with an interest in an issue.Professional fee: Payments for services rendered by an individual who is not an employee of the organization, or by a firm that is separate from the organization. For example, this could include fees for, or in respect of, services provided by writers, translators, and accountants for auditing the project.Project: Specific set of activities that contribute to the attainment of identified objectives. It has a definite beginning and end and is separate from the activities normally carried out by an organization. A project may be presented in phases, with each given consideration as an individual project.Project objective: Specific targets to reach project goals with clear, concise objectives that are realistic and achievable; given organizational constraints, time frames, and resources available, they should relate to identified needs.Outcome: Approach to planning and managing projects that clearly articulates what projects will do and what they will change.Outputs: Most immediate tangible results of your project activities.

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Inter-Action (Events): Funding Guidelines

Inter-Action, Canada’s new Multiculturalism Grants and Contributions Program, is administered by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC). The Program supports CIC’s mandate, as well as the Canadian Multiculturalism Act, by assisting in the socio-economic integration of individuals and communities and helping them to contribute to building an integrated and socially cohesive society.

The Inter-Action Events stream [note 1] provides funding, normally in the form of grants, to community-based events that foster intercultural or interfaith understanding, civic memory and pride or respect for core democratic values. The primary intention is to create concrete opportunities for interaction among cultural and faith communities. Applications will be considered year-round.

These guidelines will help you complete the General Application Form (GAF). Please refer to the website (www.cic.gc.ca/Multi_Funding) for instructions on how and where to submit the GAF.

General Application Form (GAF) [IMM 5639] (PDF, 1.8 MB)

Funding is provided under the Inter-Action Events stream for events that support the following:

Building an integrated, socially cohesive society by building bridges to promote intercultural understanding, or by fostering citizenship, civic memory, civic pride, and respect for core democratic values grounded in our history.

The following groups and institutions are eligible for funding:

Canadian not-for-profit organizations, associations and unincorporated groups of individuals Canadian incorporated and unincorporated municipalities and townships with a population of up to 10,000 Canadian Aboriginal organizations

Eligible events must:

demonstrate involvement of more than one single cultural, religious or ethnic community and establish concrete opportunities for positive interaction among them help foster intercultural or interfaith understanding, civic memory and pride, and/or respect for core democratic values be open to and intended for the general public have a total cash cost of up to $50,000

Some examples of eligible types of events:

community-based celebrations of the historic contributions to Canada of particular ethnic, cultural or religious groups, including in support of initiatives such as Asian Heritage Month and Black History Month a “citizenship day” event for young people, organized by a coalition of faith, ethnic or cultural groups musical events that bridge ethnic, cultural or religious communities a sporting activity involving members of various ethnic, cultural or religious communitiesinterfaith dialogues that bring together representatives of Canada’s faith groupsintercultural dialogues to share cultural heritage, traditions and viewpointspublic education events that foster intercultural or interfaith understanding, civic memory and pride, and/or respect for core democratic values.

Events not eligible for funding are primarily those of a religious, political, commercial or private nature.

Eligible expenditures must relate directly to the event activities and may include:

salaries and professional fees and expenses, including costs of honoraria (but not for directors)recruiting, training or supporting local volunteers (e.g., child care, uniform or transportation)performers’ and artists’ fees and expensesdomestic travel for event participants liability insurance [note 2] translation from one to another official languagecommunications, publicity, promotional materialfacility rental, production and set-up costs

No more than 15% of the amount granted to the applicant can be used for administrative expenses. Administrative expenses may include:

office suppliesInternet servicestelephone, faxutilitiespostage, courierphotocopying and printing

The Inter-Action Events stream does not fund:

core program expenses such as: directors’ fees for volunteer members of Boards or other governing bodies annual or regular executive board meetings ongoing production or development of newsletters, websites, newspapers, magazines, journals, or radio and television broadcastscapital costs or expenditures start-up and operational costs for organizations activities already undertaken or completed before the issuance of a grant letter eligible costs that exceed the Government of Canada Travel and Hospitality Directive profit-making activities international travelfood and beveragescontingency/miscellaneous fees

Funding will be in the form of a grant of up to 50% of the total cash expenses of the event, but will not exceed $15,000.

Proposals will be acknowledged within 7 business days of the receipt of the proposal.Eligible applicants will be provided with a funding decision within 60 business days after the acknowledgment of the proposal, or will be notified if any additional processing time is required.For effective event-planning purposes, applicants are strongly encouraged to apply at least 90 business days (18 calendar weeks) prior to the proposed event date.

Eligible proposals will be assessed against the following criteria.

Proposal demonstrates how event supports the Events stream objective. Need for event is well established and clear.Event has confirmed partners.Event activities are designed to create concrete opportunities for positive interaction between different communities.Anticipated effects of event on communities involved are clearly expressed in proposal. Proposed budget is balanced and sufficiently detailed (i.e., costs and revenues have been itemized and explained).Proposed budget is reasonable and reflects due regard for the efficient and prudent use of public funds.Applicant has demonstrated capacity to deliver proposed event in a successful, efficient and timely manner.

This glossary contains definitions for some important terms used in the Events stream Funding Guidelines and General Application Form.

Administrative costs: Administrative expenses, such as office supplies, telephone, fax, Internet, utilities, postage, courier, photocopying/printing, and rent for office space. Only administrative costs directly related to the funded event are eligible under the Inter-Action Events stream.Event: An organized activity or an intercultural or interfaith celebration open to the general public. It should provide for short-term community interaction (typically from a few hours to a few days) for a diverse audience independent of any long-term program or project. Examples of events are found in Eligible Events.Grant: A transfer payment subject to pre-established eligibility and other entitlement criteria. A grant does not have to be accounted for by a recipient, nor normally subject to auditing by the Department. The recipient will be required to report on the results achieved.Honorarium: A payment to a professional person for services provided for which fees are not legally or traditionally required.In-kind contribution: A contribution—by an individual, a business or an organization—of materials, goods, services or time that would otherwise be an incurred expense. In-kind contributions are considered real contributions to the cost of the proposed activities but are not reimbursable. Donated goods and services may be considered in-kind contributions if they are essential to an event’s success; if they would otherwise have to be purchased or paid for by the recipient; if they can be measured at fair market value (i.e., in relation to similar goods and services); and if they are balanced by an equal expense in the project budget.Liability insurance: Insurance for claims arising from injuries or damage to other people or property. Any public events funded by the Inter-Action Events stream must be covered by liability insurance.Partners: All parties (individuals, communities, community-based organizations, public and private sector institutions and funding bodies) with a vested interest in a particular issue.Professional fees: Payments for services rendered by an individual who is not an employee of the organization or by a firm that is separate from the organization. For example, it includes fees for, or in respect of, services provided by writers, translators and event managers.

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