Dioceses across Canada, in their continuing journey of seeking reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples, have committed to contributing $30 million over five years in new funding to facilitate further reconciliation efforts. Dioceses have committed to contributing these funds annually or in lump sums to the Indigenous Reconciliation Fund (IRF). The Fund is an arms-length, federally-incorporated, not for-profit registered charity with its own independent four-member Board of Directors, all of whom are Indigenous.
​
​The IRF has established the following General Criteria and Granting Guidelines to assist Diocesan (regional) Reconciliation Committees (or their equivalent) in their local engagement of and discernment with Indigenous groups. The Indigenous Reconciliation Fund Board of Directors will review all grant applications and disburse funds to projects and initiatives that meet the guidelines and are within the budget of the monies contributed to the Fund by a Diocese or Region.

Purpose of the IRF

Regional IRF Projects recommended for funding will support at least one of the following funding priorities:

• Healing and reconciliation for communities and families
• Culture and language revitalization  
• Education and community building   
• Dialogues involving Indigenous Elders, spiritual leaders, and youth with focus on Indigenous spirituality and culture

In addition:

• Projects receiving grants to be in harmony with Catholic teaching  
• All grant applications are to be made with Indigenous consultation based upon an assessment of their merit and local value and have the support of the local Bishop

• All IRF grant recipients must be registered charities and funds must be directed towards the agreed upon reconciliation project/initiative outlined in the Grant Application

Eligibility

• Local Indigenous communities and Indigenous organizations including First Nations, Metis, Inuit, and urban Indigenous groups, with registered charitable status, normally within the Diocesan geographic boundaries.
• A project must address at least one of the funding priorities.  
• Beneficiaries of project work must include Indigenous Peoples and may also include the broader community.

• Project sponsors may apply for a 2-year funding period, with a possibility of renewal.

• Projects must have a work plan, budget, and evaluation plan in place. Projects must provide regular reporting of progress to the Diocesan/Regional Reconciliation Committee (quarterly).

• Eligible expenses include project-related staff, project-related materials, and other costs directly associated with the project.

• Ineligible expenses include costs not directly related to the project, organizational operational and administrative costs, and purchase of capital assets.

​Sourcing of projects and initiatives to receive grants is the responsibility of the Diocesan IRF Committees. Diocesan IRF Committees can recommend the funding of local projects and initiatives to the extent of the funds a Diocese has contributed to the Fund. Diocesan IRF Committees can seek support from other Dioceses for projects that have impact beyond their Diocese/Region or are in excess of the local Committee’s contribution.

How to apply?

• ​Applicants will complete the following application form. Applications may be sent in one of two formats:
  • Written Application (Sections A to D)
  • Oral Application (Section B1 to B3), with supporting written documents (Sections A, B4-B7, C, and D).
• ​Applicants must indicate their registered charitable status and non-profit society information. If your organization is selected to receive a grant, you will be contacted to validate your eligibility.
  • If your organization does not have registered charitable status, applicants are strongly encouraged to partner with an organization with status to submit their application. 
  • If this is not possible, please contact the Together in Unity Circle or the Roman Catholic Diocese of Calgary to discuss your application.

• Consult the Regional IRF Application Form and Instructions | Download Funding Guidelines

What happens after an application is submitted for review?

Each Application will be reviewed by the Regional IRF Committee (Together in Unity Circle) using a standard assessment and screening tool.

• The Regional IRF Committee will meet to discuss assessments of applications and will make recommendations to the National IRF Board for funding.

• Applications will be sent, along with regional recommendations to the National IRF Board for final assessment and review. The National IRF Board will make final funding decisions.

• Final funding decisions will be communicated to each applicant by the regional IRF Committee.

Apply now

There are four parts to the IRF application form:

• Section A: Applicant Information
• Section B: Proposed Project Details
• Section C: Approval and Support for Application
• Section D: Final Checklist

DOWNLOAD FORM NOW

Please scan or email the completed form to: [email protected]
If you have any questions, please email Carol at [email protected]​