Arts Culture and Heritage Funding
This list of grants is intended as a resource in order to seek funding opportunities that are currently available for individuals and organizations in the arts, culture and heritage sectors.
Please note: Organizations are encouraged to check directly with the granting agency to confirm when grants are available and for more information. The City of Oshawa is not responsible for grant review or approval and does not have affiliations with the granting agencies or foundations listed below.
Multi-Disciplinary Granting Agencies
Municipal |
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Partnership Grant The Partnership Grant is provide assistance to Oshawa-based not-for-profit community groups and organizations ("organizations") initiating or delivering programs and services to the citizens of Oshawa.
Fee Waiving Program The Waiving of Fees Program is to provide financial relief to registered Oshawa-based nonprofit groups and organizations ("organizations") who can demonstrate that they can deliver programs, events or activities, that the City or its organizations already supported by the City, would not normally provide and that could benefit all citizens of Oshawa. |
Local |
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Durham Community Foundation Durham Community Foundation is a foundation for charities. Their grants support everything including shelter, sustenance and care for the most in need, health, recreation, the arts and the environment. |
Provincial |
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Government of Ontario Grants Ontario is your source for grants provided by the Ministry of Citizenship, Immigration and International Trade; Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport; and, the Accessibility Directorate of Ontario; and, selected grants from the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs and the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines.
Ontario Arts Council Ontario Arts Council offers more than 65 funding programs for Ontario-based artists and arts organizations, with funds from the Ontario government. Grants provide assistance for a specific activity, support for a period of time, or for ongoing operations. Ontario Arts Council also offers awards, prizes and scholarships from private funds managed by the Ontario Arts Foundation.
Ontario Arts Foundation The Ontario Arts Foundation holds over 300 endowments and funds established by individuals, Foundations, corporations and arts organizations. We focus on investments to support the arts in Ontario over the long term.
Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund Through the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund, the province is providing $6 million over three years to grow cultural tourism in Ontario. This support will help arts and cultural organizations develop, promote and present unique events and exhibitions that bring visitors to communities across the province.
Ontario Trillium Foundation The Ontario Trillium Foundation distributes its funding to charities and not-for-profits based upon six different action areas: encouraging more active lifestyles, building inclusive and engaged communities together, encouraging people to support a healthy and sustainable environment, enriching people's lives through arts, culture and heritage, supporting the positive development of children and youth, and enhancing people's economic wellbeing. |
Federal |
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The Canada Council The Canada Council offers a broad range of grants and services to professional Canadian artists and arts organizations in music, theatre, writing and publishing, visual arts, dance, media arts and integrated (multidisciplinary) arts. It also seeks to raise public awareness of the arts through its communications, research and arts promotion activities.
Canadian Heritage Apply to one of a myriad of Canadian Heritage funding programs that support culture, history, heritage, sport and official languages in Canada.
Canada Cultural Investment Fund The Canada Cultural Investment Fund encourages private sector investment, partnership and sound business practices to help arts and heritage organizations are better rooted and recognized in their communities. |
Private Foundations |
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Business for the Arts Business for the Arts aims to strengthen arts and culture in Canada by connecting arts organizations to business patrons and volunteers.
Inspirit Foundation - Media and Arts Impact Grants The Media and Arts Impact Grants support media and arts initiatives that promote inclusion and pluralism or challenge discrimination and exclusion. The aim of this fund is to open minds and shift attitudes that perpetuate prejudice and exclusion based on ethnicity, race and religion, and to build good relations between diverse groups or communities.
McLean Foundation Grants made by the McLean Foundation are restricted to organizations that are recognized by Canada Revenue Agency as charitable organizations. The McLean Foundation will only accept applications from organizations that have first submitted a letter of inquiry and then been asked to submit a full proposal. They endeavour to maintain a flexible policy, with particular emphasis on projects showing promise of general social benefit but which may initially lack broad public appeal.
Scotiabank Foundation Scotiabank recognizes the importance of access to opportunities that enrich Canadian communities. They prioritize support of hockey, the arts, marathons, and many other community initiatives that celebrate unique passions and embrace our diversity. |
Sector Specific Grants
Grants for Indigenous Groups |
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Indigenous Culture and Media Innovations Indigenous Culture and Media Innovation (I.C.M.I.) provides arts training, youth workshops and educational programming; using hands-on experiential learning in up-to-date, cutting edge digital technologies. ICMI offers short-term workshops at all levels of ability and technical skills, production, post-production, multimedia applications and media arts.
National Association of Friendship Centers The National Association of Friendship Centres (N.A.F.C.) is a network of 118 Friendship Centres and seven Provincial and Territorial Associations (P.T.A.s) from coast-to-coast-to-coast. They offer a series of community development grants.
The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport offers additional grants for Indigenous Groups. |
Grants for Capital Projects and Heritage Conservation Grants |
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ArtsBuild Ontario ArtsBuild Ontario is dedicated to realizing long-term solutions to building, managing and financing the sustainable arts facilities needed in Ontario communities.
Canada Cultural Spaces Fund The Canada Cultural Spaces Fund supports the improvement of physical conditions for artistic creativity and innovation.
Canada History Fund The Canada History Fund supports the development of learning materials and activities that contribute to increasing Canadians' knowledge about Canada.
The National Trust for Canada The National Trust for Canada is a national charity that inspires and leads action to save historic places, and promotes the care and wise use of our historic environment. Our sites, projects and programs enhance community and quality of life and inspire Canadians to identify, conserve, use, celebrate and value their heritage buildings, landscapes, natural areas and communities for present and future generations.
Parks Canada's National Historic Sites Cost-Sharing Program This Parks Canada program provides assistance to national historic sites that are neither federally owned nor administered and that are deemed to have commemorative integrity.
Veterans Affairs Canada The Commemorative Partnership Program (C.P.P.) provides funding to organizations undertaking remembrance initiatives. |
Grants for Community Projects |
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CIBC Bank Foundation CIBC is committed to supporting causes that matter to our clients, our employees and our communities. They aim to make a difference through corporate donations, sponsorships and the volunteer spirit of our employees.
Canada Post Community Foundation The Canada Post Community Foundation provides grants to Canadian schools, charities and community organizations to make a difference in the lives of children and youth (up to age 21).
Community One Foundation Community One Foundation provides funding to foster new and innovative services and programs for the LGBTTIQQ2S community in the GTA, specifically in the areas of education, health, human rights, arts and culture, and research and advocacy (non-governmental).
Telus Telus Community Investment efforts are focused in three areas - youth, education and community. Their community boards are located in regions across Canada to better administer the company's community investment program. |
Grants for Heritage |
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Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage The Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage program was created to help you celebrate your community - both its past and its present. This program increases opportunities for local artists, artisans, heritage performers or specialists to be involved in their community through festivals, events and projects. It also allows local groups to commemorate their local history and heritage.
Canada Arts Presentation Fund The Canada Arts Presentation Fund provides financial assistance to organizations that professionally present arts festivals or performing arts series (arts presenters) and organizations that offer support to arts presenters.
Celebrate Canada Celebrate Canada provides funding for activities organized on National Aboriginal Day, Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day, Canadian Multiculturalism Day and Canada Day.
Canadian Conservation Institute Internship Programs The Canadian Conservation Institute offers paid post-graduate internships and curriculum internships that provide learning opportunities for the conservation community in Canada and abroad.
Canada Travelling Exhibitions Indemnification Program The Canada Travelling Exhibitions Indemnification Program assists eligible Canadian art galleries, museums, archives and libraries by assuming financial responsibility for loss or damage to objects or appurtenances in eligible travelling exhibitions.
Museums Assistance Program The Museums Assistance Program supports heritage institutions and workers in the preservation and presentation of heritage collections.
Movable Cultural Property Grants Movable Cultural Property Grants help designated organizations acquire cultural property of outstanding significance and national importance to Canada. |
Grants for Music and New Media |
| Canada Book FundThe Canada Book Fund promotes a strong book industry that publishes and markets Canadian-authored books. Canada Media FundThe Canada Media Fund encourages the creation of popular, innovative Canadian content and software applications. Canada Music FundThe Canada Music Fund supports a wide range of musicians and entrepreneurs who create, produce and market original and diverse Canadian music. Canadian Film or Video Production Tax CreditThe Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit supports Canadian programming and the development of an active domestic production sector. Canadian Film CentreThe Canadian Film Centre (C.F.C.) is a charitable organization whose mission is to invest in and inspire the next generation of world-class Canadian content creators and entrepreneurs in the screen-based entertainment industry. A significant economic and cultural driver in Canada and beyond, C.F.C. delivers a range of multi-disciplinary programs and initiatives in film, television, music, screen acting, and digital media, which provides industry collaborations, strategic partnerships, and business and marketplace opportunities for talent and participants.
FACTOR FACTOR's programs provide financial support to Canadian recording artists, labels, songwriters, publishers, event producers and distributorsMusication Musication offers grants to French-language songwriter, composer, artist, or recording business ownersOntario Media Development Corporation The Ontario Media Development Corporation plays an important role in book publishing, music, interactive digital media, film, magazine publishing, and television industries, building the capacity and competitiveness of Ontario's cultural media industry.SOCAN Foundation SOCAN Foundation provides grants to organizations or individuals for activities benefiting Canadian music creators.Telefilm Canada Telefilm Canada administers the programs of the Canada Media Fund and the Talent Fund, a private donation initiative, as well as the Canada Feature Film Fund.The Film or Video Production Services Tax Credit The Film or Video Production Services Tax Credit promotes Canada as a location of choice for film and video productions employing Canadians. |
Grants for Performing Arts |
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Jackman Foundation The Hal Jackman Foundation believes cultural activities are essential tools in fostering vibrant, livable communities. It is committed to the development and presentation of compelling artistic programs in the visual and performing arts. It focuses on increasing access to and appreciation of arts and culture, as well as building the audiences of the future.
Metcalf Charitable Foundation The mission of the George Cedric Metcalf Charitable Foundation is to enhance the effectiveness of people and organizations working together to help Canadians imagine and build a just, healthy, and creative society. |
Grants for Professional Development |
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Canada Arts Training Fund The Canada Arts Training Fund supports the training of artists with high potential through organizations that offer high-calibre training.
Canadian Heritage Information Network Special Operating Agency within the Department of Canadian Heritage, offers valuable collections management resources to the Canadian museum community and online public access to millions of collections records. CHIN assists Canadian museums in documenting, managing, and sharing information about their collections, which in turn ensures that this information is accessible now and in the future.
Cultural Human Resources Council (C.H.R.C.) Internships provided to Canadian cultural organizations through youth wage subsidy program funded by Human Resources Development Canada. Interns must be residents of Canada, under 30 years of age, unemployed (or under-employed), but ineligible for EI Benefits.
Laidlaw Foundation The Laidlaw Foundation is concentrating resources in four areas: environment, inclusive communities, youth arts program, and youth engagement. The Youth Arts Program focuses on providing opportunities for youth ages 15 to 25 to become directly involved in artistic creation. Within the program, there are funds for Strategic Initiative Grants, Project Grants, and Catalyst Grants. Full program information, application process, and deadlines are available from their website.
Metcalf Charitable Foundation The mission of The George Cedric Metcalf Charitable Foundation is to enhance the effectiveness of people and organizations working together to help Canadians imagine and build a just, healthy, and creative society.
Young Canada Works Young Canada Works (Y.C.W.) offers a variety of summer job and internship programs to job seekers and employers. |
Grants for Visual Arts |
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Fusion: The Ontario Clay and Glass Association The FUSION Scholarship Endowment Fund provides assistance to members in financial need who wish to continue their studies in the field of ceramics or glass.
Jackman Foundation The Hal Jackman Foundation believes cultural activities are essential tools in fostering vibrant, livable communities. It is committed to the development and presentation of compelling artistic programs in the visual and performing arts. It focuses on increasing access to and appreciation of arts and culture, as well as building the audiences of the future.
RBC Bank Foundation RBC Bank Foundation includes RBC Emerging Artists funding program has been supporting organizations that provide the best opportunity to advance an artist's career trajectory in genres such as visual arts, music, theatre, dance, literature and film since 2007.
Royal Canadian Academy of Arts Foundation The Royal Canadian Academy of Arts Foundation is a registered charitable trust that operates as the fundraising vehicle of the Academy. The R.C.A. Trust Fund provides grants to public galleries across Canada to purchase and exhibit works of living Canadian artists. The R.C.A. Scholarship Fund provides financial assistance to promising Canadians for post-graduate study in the visual arts and design. The R.C.A. Program Fund mounts exhibitions, produces publications and other public activities to foster awareness and appreciation of the visual arts. |
Grants for Youth Program |
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Exchanges Canada The Exchanges Canada program helps youth to enhance their knowledge and understanding of Canada, while connecting with other young Canadians.
Gainey Foundation The Gainey Foundation provides grants to federally registered charities for environmental and youth arts programs.
Laidlaw Foundation The Laidlaw Foundation is concentrating resources in four areas: environment, inclusive communities, youth arts program, and youth engagement. The Youth Arts Program focuses on providing opportunities for youth ages 15 to 25 to become directly involved in artistic creation. Within the program, there are funds for Strategic Initiative Grants, Project Grants, and Catalyst Grants. Full program information, application process, and deadlines are available from their website.
Ontario Trillium Foundation The Ontario Trillium Foundation distributes its funding to charities and not-for-profits based upon six different action areas: Encouraging more active lifestyles, Building inclusive and engaged communities together, Encouraging people to support a healthy and sustainable environment, Enriching people's lives through arts, culture and heritage, Supporting the positive development of children and youth, and Enhancing people's economic wellbeing.
S'Cool Life Fund The S'Cool Life Fund has provided grants for 975 D.R.E.A.M.S. (Drama, Recreation, Extra-Curricular, Arts, Music, or Sports) projects across the country worth almost $2.6 million helping to make school life more enjoyable for thousands of public elementary school kids (K-8).
Youth Opportunity Fund The Youth Opportunity Fund is an annual program that provides grants and capacity-building supports to youth-led grassroots groups and collaboratives serving young people. |