Reconcili-Action Grant Program

 APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN! DEADLINE IS JUNE 18TH, 2022

The True North Aid Reconcili-Action Grant Program is a multi-tiered funding program supporting projects in Canada that work to foster positive relationships between non-Indigenous and Indigenous Peoples in Canada. True North Aid seeks to bridge the divide between diverse communities while working towards improving livelihoods and propelling reconciliation efforts.

There cannot be reconciliation without truth, and True North Aid seeks to be an active partner in projects and initiatives that advance the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action.

True North Aid will provide funding of up to $25,000 toward projects that support reconciliation efforts through projects focused on, but not limited to:

  • Meaningful intercultural exchanges
  • Respect and responsibility for diversity, inclusion and/or accessibility
  • Increasing awareness about the ongoing impacts of Canada’s unique history with Indigenous Peoples, with attention to the most northern and remote regions and territories 
  • Systemic/organizational response to one or more of the 94 Calls to Action
  • Community-centred programming and/or training partnerships
  • Language and/or cultural revitalization and allyship
  • Anti-Indigenous racism and/or cultural safety awareness 
  • Allyship Advocacy
  • Leadership development 

Groups are eligible to apply for grant applications quarterly. A Reconcili-Action Advisory Committee (RAC) (please see description below) meets to collectively review and identify grant recipients and groups with capacity-building opportunities.

Funding Guidelines

Click here to download the Reconcili-Action Grant Guidelines.

Eligibility

We provide grants to groups, organizations, and non-profits that are Indigenous-led, Indigenous Peoples partnering with allies, or allies who have incorporated strong Indigenous Advisory into their project development, implementation, and overall partnership.

Applications must demonstrate that a functioning Reconcili-Action Committee (please see description below) has (or will be) established to ensure accountability to equitable representation and guidance from a variety of members.

Eligibility Criteria for Groups and Projects:

  • Indigenous-led groups and activities
  • Allies working with Indigenous partners or advisors
  • Unincorporated/grassroots groups
  • Incorporated non-profits
  • Projects that support Reconciliation
  • Projects that promote a tangible benefit to a community/ies
  • Projects that fall within True North Aid’s Objects (please see description below)

Ineligibility Criteria for Groups and Projects:

  • Individuals
  • Projects that are not Indigenous-led or do not incorporate
  • Indigenous partnership or advisory
  • For-profit corporations
  • Projects that do not promote a tangible benefit to the public
  • Projects that fall outside of True North Aid’s Objects
  • More than one project proposal per group per term

        *True North Aid will not fund projects that are political or religious in nature, involve the distribution of substances, or discriminate based on any grounds prohibited by the Canadian Human Rights Act.

        Application

        Applicants may apply for Reconcili-Action grants through the application portal on the True North Aid website. To improve an application success rate, please make sure to review the Reconcili-Action Grant Guidelines thoroughly and fill out the application with as much detail as possible. Once submitted, our Outreach Manager will be in touch with you regarding your application.

        Please allow four weeks following the quarterly application deadline to receive a final response regarding your application status. Please note that we are unable to discuss the status of your application during that time.

        Review Process

        All applications will be reviewed by our Outreach Manager and decided upon collectively by the RAC. The RAC combines Indigenous membership and allies with members from diverse backgrounds in operating social justice and community-informed reconciliation-related programs. Membership has been considered carefully with respect to regional diversity, as well as experience and/or educational background. Please see below to learn more about the RAC.

        At the end of each quarter, the RAC meets to review and identify successful grant recipients. All recipients will be notified shortly after the quarterly meeting as to the status of their application.

        Capacity Building

        All grant recipients will have the opportunity to receive mentorship opportunities from a member of the RAC that has been identified as a potential guide for a particular applicant group. In addition, our Outreach Manager will be available to provide ongoing support to grant recipients throughout the duration of their application and implementation period. 

        Reporting and Evaluation

        If successful, grant recipients will be required to sign a written agreement outlining a description of their activities, deliverables, as well as the required fiscal reporting periods. Disbursement of funds will be contingent upon the signing of the agreement and the delivery of timely reporting. Reporting schedules will be agreed upon by the applicant in advance of the release of funds. Reporting outlines will be provided to groups and will include a budget report, written evaluations, and feedback components.

        As a charitable organization, True North Aid relies on donor funding that is often inspired by communicating the incredible and innovative work carried out by the communities and groups we partner in supporting. By applying, you agree that True North Aid can share your initiatives with our audiences. Please note we will not share any private information such as names or photos without expressed permission.

        Financial Disbursements and Release of Funds

        Funding will be disbursed in phases, with the first portion paid upon the signing of a written agreement, and the remaining funding phased throughout the project implementation process. Funding will be sent to grant recipients via bank transfer, direct deposit, or electronic funds transfer. Grant Funding must be kept separate from the personal finances of the recipient, either through a separate bank account or by accounting for them separately in books and records.

        Important Dates

        *Please note that while application are final, project start and end dates are flexible.

        Questions

        True North Aid would be happy to answer any questions you have about the Reconcili-Action Grants Program. We are here to assist you! Please email: grants@truenorthaid.ca, or call 613-305-2331 to speak with our Outreach Manager. If you require an alternate method of communication than provided or accommodation, please contact us. 

        *True North Aid defines ‘north and remote’ as communities that are in the northern regions of Canada (north of 55° latitude, approximately), and/or more than two hours from a city or town with:

        • a hospital; 
        • access to specialized care and support services; 
        • big box stores and grocery stores;
        • other essential goods and/or services

        Please note, exceptional circumstances will be accommodated if necessity-based

        *The purpose of a Reconcili-Action Committee is to ensure accountability through equitable representation and guidance from a variety of members. A minimum of three members should represent diverse stakeholders involved in the proposed project. Please note that at least one of these members should be of Indigenous descent, or considered an Indigenous advisor.

        *True North Aid’s Charitable Objects are as follows:

          1. To advance education by providing books, equipment and educational aids to students in Northern Indigenous communities;
          2. To relieve poverty in Northern Indigenous communities by providing food, clothing, shelter, sustainable solutions and other basic necessities of life to individuals and families who are poor, of low income, or in need;
          3. To provide publicly available scholarships and educational programs for the benefit of Indigenous youth;
          4. To support reconciliation efforts through programs that promote meaningful cross-cultural exchanges, respect for diversity and inclusion, and national awareness about the ongoing impacts of Canada’s unique history with Indigenous Peoples, particularly in the northernmost and remote regions; and
          5. To undertake activities ancillary and incidental to the attainment of the above-mentioned charitable purposes.
        Funding Streams

        We provide Reconcili-Action grants within four funding streams:

        • The Memory Stream, providing of funding up to $2,500.
        • The Footprint Stream, providing of funding up to $5,000.
        • The Roots Stream, providing of funding up to $15,000.
        • The Legacy Stream, providing of funding up to $25,000.
        Application Deadlines

        Quarter One:

        • Applications Open: February 28th, 2022
        • Applications Close: March 18th, 2022

        Quarter Two:

        • Applications Open: April 18th, 2022
        • Applications Close: June 17th, 2022

        Quarter Three:

        • Applications Open: July 1st, 2022
        • Applications Close: September 16th, 2022

        Quarter Four

        • Applications Open: October 1st, 2022
        • Applications Close: December 16th, 2022