Multicultural Initiatives Fund – Project Funding

MIF-P’s Small Project streams specifically aim to retain, advance and celebrate cultural traditions by supporting projects that encourage people to share, learn and engage in impactful efforts through:

• Cultural Continuity work which supports the development and advancement of cultural practices and traditions internal to an ethnocultural, multicultural, First Nation or Métis community. This may include the purchase of cultural assets such as instruments and traditional costumes as part of a cultural continuity project. The selection of cultural workers should be with the intention of building capacity for people in Saskatchewan to retain and advance their cultural practices and traditions. Eligible First Nation and Métis applicants are encouraged to apply to the Aboriginal Arts and Culture Leadership grant or the Métis Cultural Development Fund for cultural continuity activities. If choosing this stream, be prepared to show:
  • how the applicant organization shares its ethnocultural, multicultural, First Nation or Métis culture within its cultural community, and,
  • why this continuity project is important to the applicant community.

• Celebration of Diversity work which supports the performances, displays, and expressions of ethnocultural and First Nation and Métis groups for the purposes of education and engagement with the broader community. Celebration of Diversity includes events such as celebration of one or multiple cultures through festivals, cultural showcases, and performances that introduce cultural worldviews, expressions, creativity and innovation. If choosing this stream, be prepared to show:
  • how the relevant cultural information will be shared with the audience (for example, a printed program or a short intro at the start of the performance) so they can engage with and learn from the activities; and,
  • why it is important to share these cultural activities with the broader community.

For Anti-Racism, Intercultural Connections and Truth and Reconciliation projects, please see the Multicultural Initiatives Fund – Major Projects streams.

NOTE: Some projects may overlap the various Streams; please choose one that most accurately reflects your desired outcomes.

MIF-P’s Major Project Streams specifically aim to advance cross-cultural engagement in Saskatchewan by supporting projects that encourage people to share, learn and engage in impactful efforts through:

• Anti-Racism work that involves addressing issues of power, privilege, and, individual and systemic discrimination. Anti-Racism work includes active conversations and actions to build equity and justice within cultural organizations and communities. If choosing this stream, be prepared to show how the project:
  • includes trauma-informed approaches that will be taken to ensure no further harm is done; and/or
  • helps organizations and communities recognize and prevent racism, and/or
  • supports the delivery of culturally-responsive services to affected individuals and families; and/or
  • creates and provides access to anti-racist training, tools, job aids, courses or workshops; and/or
  • creates opportunities for cross-cultural dialogues, and increases access to services, information and advice concerning experiences of racism in communities; and/or
  • strengthens the voices of those impacted by racist incidents and counters racist narratives through methods such as storytelling; and/or
  • helps increase understanding of systemic disparities and challenges faced by these communities for the broader community.

• Intercultural Connections work that involves ongoing engagement between various cultural communities through activities such as cultural exchanges, cooperative work between communities, creating safe spaces, community dialogues, creative projects, and integration work for welcoming and inclusive communities. If choosing this stream, be prepared to show how:
  • people from different cultural backgrounds will interact and how the project will help them better understand and appreciate each other’s cultures.

• Truth and Reconciliation projects that seek to heal relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Saskatchewan. This includes implementing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action and other Truth and Reconciliation efforts, which may involve public truth sharing, apology and commemoration to acknowledge and redress past harms. Applicants should identify who they are reconciling with and which Calls to Action they are seeking to address. For more information, visit SaskCulture’s Indigenous Awareness Hub. If choosing this stream, be prepared to:
  • show how the project includes trauma-informed approaches that will be taken to ensure no further harm is done; and
  • provide evidence of First Nation or Métis leadership in your organization (staff, Board, advisory committees, and other volunteers), if it’s a non-Indigenous organization; and
  • provide details of the Truths that will be shared with non-Indigenous participants as part of the project. This includes how participants are informed about past harms such as residential schools; and
  • identify the TRC Call(s) to Action that will be addressed; and
  • upload documentation such as current letters, MOUs, agreements, etc. showing partnership with First Nation or Métis organizations. It is the responsibility of the applicant to show evidence of agreement, understanding, permission, consent and commitment from First Nation or Métis leaders, organizations and communities who are identified within a project; and
  • list any First Nation or Métis resource people, such as Elders and/or Knowledge Keepers, using the SaskCulture Cultural Resource Peoples template - 2024. Please ensure to describe their role in the project and provide contact information.

NOTE: To commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s 94 TRC Calls to Action, MIF-P applications with meaningful projects that advance Truth and Reconciliation will be prioritized.

For Cultural Continuity and Celebration of Diversity projects, please see the Multicultural Initiatives Fund - Small Projects Streams in separate guidelines.

NOTE: Some projects may overlap the various Streams; please choose one that most accurately reflects your desired outcomes.

The maximum grant request amount is $5,000 for the Small Project streams, and the maximum grant request amount is $15,000 for the Major Project Streams.

For the MIF-Small Project streams and MIF-Major Project streams, priority will be given to projects that:

• take place in the province’s northern and/or rural or otherwise underserved communities
• are led by equity-denied communities and cultural organizations (including ethnocultural, First Nation and Métis groups), or by organizations who demonstrate commitment to equity within their organizational structures with attention to diverse staff, board, experience and programming
• are led by organizations with a primarily cultural mandate
• support cultural communities and groups who have had limited access to SaskCulture funding, including projects or applicants that have not received a MIF Project grant from the past two funding rounds
• are from applicants that have not received SaskCulture or Sask Lotteries operational funding totaling more than $30,000 in the last year
• are not competitive events

Please contact the MIF-P Consultant to ensure your project fits the Purpose, Streams and Priorities of this grant.

For both Projects (Small and Major), eligible Applicants are:

• Registered Non-Profit organizations in Saskatchewan. These organizations must:
  • have a primarily cultural mandate in Arts, Heritage, Multiculturalism or Cultural Industries as defined by SaskCulture’s Cultural Policy, or otherwise demonstrate significant engagement in cultural activity;
  • be in existence as a registered non-profit for at least one full fiscal year prior to the deadline date;
  • be in good standing with Information Services Corporation (ISC);
  • have no outstanding grant follow-ups due to SaskCulture; and,
  • provide a signed copy of the organization’s annual financial statement that was most recently submitted to the ISC to show evidence of good standing as a non-profit organization in Saskatchewan.

OR

• be a First Nation, Tribal Council, Métis Local or Municipality. The applicant must:
  • be in good standing with the Sask Lotteries Community Grant Program; and
  • have no overdue grant follow-ups due to SaskCulture.

Ineligible Applicants for both MIF-Project (Small and Major) are:

• Organizations or departments that are part of a federal or provincial operation and/or Crown Corporation
• Organizations that receive funding directed by the Government of Saskatchewan
• Districts for Sport, Culture and Recreation
• Eligible Cultural Organizations (ECOs) and other organizations that receive operational funding directly from the Culture Section of Saskatchewan Lotteries Trust Fund
• Schools and Post-Secondary Institutions
• Libraries
• Non-profit professional organizations and associations that do not have an integral ethnocultural, multicultural, First Nation or Métis focus
• Unincorporated groups
• Individuals

Note: Applicants who have received MIF-Project grants for the past three (3) consecutive funding rounds are not eligible to apply to the current round.

If your organization does not meet the eligibility requirements, contact the Consultant to discuss your project, eligibility and what other options or funds might be available to you. Options may include:

• Forming a partnership (for unincorporated groups) with an eligible organization to meet the eligibility requirements for this grant program
• Searching SaskCulture’s “Find a Grant” tool to find other funding opportunities, such as:
  • Artists in Schools program through SK Arts
  • Multicultural Education Initiatives through the Multicultural Council of Saskatchewan

Additionally, applicants:

• Who receive MIF-Annual funding are not eligible to apply to either MIF-Project streams
• Can access only one MIF-Project (Small or Major) grant at a time
• With any overdue SaskCulture grant will not have a second grant application considered until the current one is reconciled
• With a current MIF-P grant wrapping up during the time of application are to contact SaskCulture for options
• May not apply to multiple SaskCulture funding programs to support the same activity for the same time frame

The MIF-Project (Small and Major) grant can cover direct costs to develop and deliver a cultural project.

Please ensure that only Eligible Expenses are included in the budget table tool in the application form and that revenues and expenses are clearly explained and must be balanced (revenue = expenses).

Upon approval, funds may only be used for the eligible activities outlined in the application. Significant changes to the use of funds must be approved by SaskCulture. Funds may not be transferred to other activities or organizations and unused funds must be returned to SaskCulture.

If grants are received from other sources for this project, make sure there are enough eligible expenses for each grant source. If the expenses are less than the total grant funding, a portion of the SaskCulture grant may need to be returned.

The following items are Eligible project expenses:

Wages/Honorariums:

• Wages, honorarium and contract agreements for cultural resource people who are offering their skills and expertise for the term of the project.
• Wages for out-of-province cultural workers may be eligible if it is to lead work that cannot otherwise be conducted by someone in Saskatchewan. Contact the MIF-P Consultant before making an out-of-province request.
• Pay for cultural experts who are sharing their knowledge and skills for the project.
• Honorarium for program participants who are directly contributing their knowledge and/or lived experience to community engagement projects.
• Organizations that are not ethnocultural, multicultural, First Nations or Métis may apply for events and festivals but are limited to artistic fees, honoraria and travel costs for multicultural, First Nations or Métis performers, Knowledge Keepers, presenters or resource people. In these applications, General event expenses are not eligible.

Project Expenses, including Food and Nutrition:

• Material expenses related to the cultural activity, including gifts related to First Nations cultural protocols.
• Cultural material assets must remain with the applicant organization, not the participants.
• Food/Nutrition expenses as an important component of program delivery, if discussed with the Consultant:
  • A recommended maximum of 20% of the total grant award can support food expenses that are a part of the cultural experience being offered;
  • While there is some flexibility, a strong rationale would need to be provided to exceed this amount, such as:
    • Costs integral to learning how to prepare a cultural dish
    • Sharing food as part of cultural engagement and cultural traditions
    • Removing barriers for children by providing nutritious snacks
• The application must include examples of the food being provided and a breakdown of costs in the budget description (for example, snacks such as fruit, veggies, cheese, muffins, etc., calculated at $102.20 x 20 sessions = $2,040). If approved, legible receipts will be needed to claim food expenses;
• Organizations are strongly encouraged to follow Canada’s Food Guide for healthy options;
• Note: Catering costs for a conference or activity are not eligible.

Facilities / Studio / Offices Costs

• Facility costs would only be considered eligible in situations where additional space is required for the project to move ahead.

Travel Costs:

• Travel expenses for participants based in Saskatchewan attending eligible activity.
• This includes gas, rental of vehicles, bus transit, taxi or ride share, and airfare.

Advertising and Promotions:

• A recommended maximum of 10% of the total grant request can be used for advertising and promotion costs for the project.
• A strong rationale would need to be provided to exceed this amount.

Check out the following downloads to find out more about Eligible Expenses:

Both Small and Major Projects must directly address one of the Streams for each funding program.

Ineligible projects include:

• Activities that use or present First Nation or Métis cultural material, traditional knowledge or stories without evidence of permission (supporting letters) from the community
• Performative or passive entertainment that does not include an exchange of cultural knowledge or awareness.
• Projects that include religious or political activities, viewpoints or components

START DATE: Projects must start at least eight (8) weeks after the grant deadline, which means they cannot start earlier than May 27, 2025.

END DATE: All projects must be completed within one year of the start date. If you need to change your plans before or during the project, contact the Consultant as soon as possible.

• While the planning phase may start earlier, the project itself must take place at least 8 weeks after the deadline. All claimed expenses must be within the grant’s start and end date. All expenses must be verifiable by receipts or transaction records, upon request.

All new applicants must submit receipts or transaction records with the follow-up report, and 25% of grants within a round will be selected to provide receipts. If receipts or transaction records are requested and cannot be provided, a return of the grant funds may be required.

Applications that do not meet the applicant or project eligibility requirements will not be reviewed.

The following items are Ineligible project expenses:

Wages/Honorariums:

• Allowances, wages or personal expenses for program registrants and participants.
• Salaries and expenses of existing staff of the applicant organization.

Project Expenses:

• Capital expenses such as construction, renovations or repairs.
• Cash or other prizes, gifts, medals, trophies, charitable donations, or the purchase of alcohol.
• Generally, food costs are ineligible. See above Eligible Expenses for exceptions.

Facilities / Studio / Office Costs:

• Office and administration fees, including utilities, rent and/or rental of an applicant organization’s own facilities.

Travel Costs:

• Travel and accommodation expenses to bring in out-of-province cultural workers
• Travel and any program expenses for out-of-province participants.
• Expenses related to cultural activity taking place outside of the province.
  • Discuss exceptions for border communities with the MIF-P Consultant

In-kind contributions:

In-kind contributions (such as volunteer hours, donations for food, goods, services, equipment, waiving office/facility rental fee, etc.) do not replace eligible expenses and should not be included in the budget. In-kind contributions and non-monetary support for a project can be described in the proposal as evidence of community support and partnerships.

Applications are due April 1, 2025. Late applications will not be considered for funding. Generally, applications are expected to be submitted via the Online Grant Platform (OGP) unless accessibility arrangements have been made.

• Applicants are encouraged to consult with SaskCulture prior to submitting an application. Depending on the number of applications received, there may be opportunities for early submissions to get feedback to help improve aspects of an application that are unclear or ineligible in advance of a deadline, but this is not a guarantee of either feedback or funding.
• SaskCulture will review applications to confirm basic eligibility requirements have been met before submitting them to the funding assessors. If an application is ineligible, the applicant will be notified.
• Only complete, signed and submitted applications will be considered. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that their application is successfully submitted. Two different people must sign the application.
• Eligible applications are evaluated by volunteer community members with knowledge and experience related to the purpose and priority of this grant program.
• Applicants can expect to be informed of funding results about eight (8) to ten (10) weeks after the application deadline. Funding decisions are final and will not be revisited or appealed.
• Successful applicants will receive 100% of their total grant allocation upon grant approval. A Follow-up Report (FUR) must be submitted after the project has taken place.

The funding assessors will evaluate applications based on the following criteria:

• How well the proposed activity meets the Purpose, Streams and Priorities of the MIF-P Major Projects grant program, including the quality and merit of proposed activity; and
• How well the project includes and supports participation from northern and rural communities, and underserved groups, including those led by or supporting equity-denied communities; and
• How well the project includes evidence of resourcefulness, collaboration, community support and engagement, and involvement from community partners in planning and delivering the project, including First Nation or Métis leadership where relevant; and
• The potential for ongoing impact and legacy; and
  • *Note: Returning or yearly funded MIF-P projects may have their most recent project Follow-up Report provided to assessors as part of the assessment process.
• Evidence of realistic and responsible use of resources (including funds, volunteers, etc.), and the ability of the applicant organization to complete the project and deliver quality cultural projects. This includes supporting those who have had limited access to SaskCulture funding in the past.

Once your organization has been approved for a grant, applicants will:

• Use the funds for the eligible activities outlined in their application. Any changes to the use of funds must be approved by SaskCulture. Funds may not be transferred to other activities or organizations and unused funds must be returned to SaskCulture.
• Be required to retain all supporting receipts. All first-time grant recipients will be required to submit receipts. Other grant recipients will only submit receipts if requested to do so by the Outreach Consultant. Failure to submit receipts may affect the approved grant amount. For example, partial or no final payment, or a grant return of the first payment may be required.
• Have access to the Follow-up Report form on the Online Grant Platform, following the automatic system notification of approved funding;
• Be required to submit a Follow-up Report within 45 days of the completion of the project. This report must detail the activities of the project and indicate how it met the goals of the funding program.
• Refer to the Follow-up Report Form at the beginning of the project, as statistical information will need to be gathered during the project. The grant recipient may want to use the budget tool regularly as a project management tool.
• Use the funds for the funded project within 12 months of the project’s start date.
• Recognize Sask Lotteries as the funder in all relevant promotions and event opportunities, as well as highlighting SaskCulture’s funding program to help build awareness of the programs.

Example:

YOUR ORGANIZATION NAME received financial assistance from Sask Lotteries, thanks to a SaskCulture program.

Logos and promotional materials, along with how-to guides, are available at Using Logos.

Failure to meet the above funding obligations to the satisfaction of SaskCulture will be grounds to withhold the final payment if applicable, and will restrict access to future funding.

You will receive correspondence stating that your application has been denied funding for this particular funding program. While all decisions, made by volunteer Peer Assessors, are final, this news should not deter you from applying for future funding opportunities.

• Review the funding program criteria and determine how your application might better address the priorities. If your project’s objectives do not line up with the criteria of the funding program, take the opportunity to explore other options.
• Check your project budget and ensure that your costs are realistic based on your intended outcomes.
• Contact the funding Consultant to discuss ideas and/or changes needed for success. If the Consultant feels your project still has potential, adjust your application and try again at a different deadline or for a different fund.