Organizations should apply for a NARF Event and Youth Initiatives Grant if they plan to host Events or Youth Initiatives aligned with one or more of the key themes and objectives listed below and are designed to achieve one or more of the expected results.  

Please read through these guidelines for a clear understanding of the Events and Youth Initiatives Program:  

Events are community-based, planned public, social, and/or learning occasions and activities relating to the themes and objectives of the National Anti-Racism Fund. Formats include conferences, summits, workshops, galas, festivals, exhibits, and reconciliation or intercultural activities.  

Youth Initiatives are initiatives that are youth-led or focused on youth. Youth are defined as persons under the age of 30. Formats include conferences, summits, workshops, galas, festivals, exhibits, and reconciliation or intercultural activities.  

Events and Youth Initiatives must align with one or more of the following themes and objectives: 

  • Systemic racial barriers: Reducing barriers to inclusion by addressing systemic racism in education, healthcare, the justice system, public services, employment and public life 
  • Research and education: Promoting and increasing availability and accessibility of data, evidence and community insights on race relations in Canada
  • Public awareness: Informing public policies by highlighting systemic and institutional barriers
  • Cultural and intercultural community-building: Creating cross-cultural opportunities through discussions and dialogue on race and religion, building awareness and collaborations

Events and Youth Initiatives must achieve one or more of the following results: 

  • Increase public awareness of public policy issues related to race relations, anti-racism, or anti-hate nationally, regionally, or in local communities
  • Increase public awareness of Canada’s cultural diversity
  • Increase awareness of factors such as race, culture, ethnicity, or religion that may be hindering full participation of the entire Canadian population in society and the economy
  • Increase knowledge and capacity within communities to address racism and discrimination

Eligibility 

This funding is available to: 

  • Canadian registered charities (as recognized by the Canadian Revenue Agency) and Canadian non-profit organizations and associations   
  • First Nations, Inuit and Métis organizations 
  • Canadian non-Federal public institutions such as municipalities, provincial institutions, boards of education, schools, colleges and universities 
  • Grassroots groups or grassroots organizations defined as community-based collectives addressing issues at the local, regional or national level
  • Student groups as recognized by their affiliated University or College
  • Labour organizations

This funding is not available to: 

  • For-profit organizations
  • Federal institutions
  • Individuals
  • Organizations whose purpose is solely related to political activity, as defined by the Canada Revenue Agency

Available Funding and Flow of Funds 

Available funding for any proposed Event or Youth Initiative is up to a maximum of $10,000. Applicants can only submit one application to be considered for funding.  

The CRRF will work with successful applicants to establish the flow of funds according to deliverables. The CRRF will provide 80% of funds upon contract signing. The remaining 20% of funds will be released after the final report is submitted on the CRRF’s SurveyMonkey Apply platform. Final reports must be submitted within 60 days following project completion and approved by the CRRF monitoring team. 

Applications for initiatives currently receiving funding through either the Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Program (formerly known as Community Support, Multiculturalism, and Anti-Racism Initiatives or CSMARI) or the Anti-Racism Action Program (ARAP) – administered by the Department of Canadian Heritage – will only be considered if the application is to extend or expand the existing initiative. 

Expenses 

Eligible expenses 

Expenses for Events and Youth Initiatives can include: 

  • Personnel and staffing costs
  • Program costs such as speaker honoraria, venue related expenses, equipment, marketing and communications, catering, transportation, etc.
  • Overhead and administrative costs directly associated with Events or Youth Initiatives can be requested to a maximum of 15% of the total budget. Overhead and administrative costs include: supervision, bookkeeping/accounting, audit expenses, telephone/internet, etc. 

Ineligible expenses 

Expenses for Events and Youth Initiatives cannot include: 

  • Costs (e.g., loans, grants, or scholarships) that are related to direct financial assistance in the form of payments to individuals or families 
  • Partisan political activity that directly or indirectly promotes a political candidate or party
  • Ongoing occupancy costs and purchase of investment in real property (real estate, land, building, etc.)
  • Services covered by provincial health authorities
  • Services provided by medical professionals or regulated health professionals other than social workers or social service workers
  • Support of operating deficit
  • Cost of alcoholic beverages
  • Basic shelter beds or transitional housing beds

Submitting Your Application 

1. Access the Application Portal 

Go to CRRF’s application portal and create a new profile or log in with an existing one. 

Applications will only be accepted through the CRRF’s SurveyMonkey Apply platform. The applicant/user must be a staff or board member of the organization, with authority to submit an application.   

2. Complete the Online Application Form

Fill out all required fields in the form. 

For reference, a PDF version of the full application is available for download. Organizations are encouraged to review it in advance and prepare all required information and attachments before submitting through the online portal.

3. Upload the Required Supporting Documents

Be sure to include: 

  • A Detailed Budget (only CRRF’s budget template will be accepted) 
  • Annual financial statements or a financial letter of explanation for grassroots organizations or student groups
    • If your organization is grassroots or student groups and you cannot provide any financial statements, you must submit a Financial Letter of Explanation instead, attesting to your financial management and organizational capacity

4. Attach Optional Supporting Documents (if applicable):

  • Sponsorship package 
  • Letters of support 

5. Submit Your Application 

Once you have finished filling out the application form and have uploaded all the required documents, submit your application through the online portal.

It is imperative that all applicants click “mark as complete” and “submit” to finalize their submission. All completed applications will be followed by a confirmation email indicating that the application was successfully received by the CRRF. 

Key Dates and Timelines

Applications for Events and Youth Initiatives will be accepted from May 23 to July 4, 2025.

The application portal will remain open until 11:59 p.m. (EST) on July 4, 2025. Late applications will not be accepted. 

To be eligible for funding, all Events and Youth Initiatives must take place between December 1, 2025, and September 30, 2026. Applications for Events and Youth Initiatives occurring before December 1, 2025, will not be considered.

Application Processing Time 

Applications submitted by 11:59 pm (EST) on July 4, 2025, will have decisions made in mid-October 2025.   

Decisions will be made by the CRRF granting team and the Executive Director’s office, with the support of CRRF staff.   

Please note that all decisions are final and there is no appeal process through this funding program.  

How Do We Choose Successful Applications? 

The following criteria will be used to evaluate all eligible applications:  

  • The application demonstrates how the event or youth initiative contributes to one or more of the program themes and achieves one or more of the expected results
  • The applicant has the required experience, resources, and capacity to successfully carry out the event or youth initiative based on past experience, financial situation,  human resource capacity, and governance structure
  • The applicant has demonstrated and addressed the need within the local, regional, and/or national context
  • The applicant has planned for the resources needed to successfully deliver the Event or Youth Initiative on time and on budget
  • The Event or Youth Initiative activities are clearly described and are linked to the goals of the event or youth initiative
  • The Event or Youth Initiative is designed to effectively reach its target audience,  beneficiaries, and participants
  • The proposed budget is detailed, reasonable, balanced and takes into consideration the efficient and prudent use of funds

Fund Awardee Recognition Plan 

All grantees must publicly acknowledge the financial support received from the CRRF through NARF in all communications materials and promotional activities. Public acknowledgment text should state the following:  

  • “The [TITLE OF YOUR PROJECT] was made possible through the financial support of the Canadian Race Relations Foundation’s National Anti-Racism Fund.”  

Additionally, grantees funded by the National Anti-Racism Fund are required to:   

  • Complete a CRRF Grant Agreement
  • Complete a Final Report: Reporting Templates will be shared with grantees prior to the reporting deadlines and must be submitted within 60 days of the project completion date  

Questions and Contact 

If you have any questions about submitting the NARF EYI application, please send them to grants@crrf-fcrr.ca 

View our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).

Informational Webinar Sessions  

To learn more about the 2025-2026 NARF EYI grant program, we invite you to attend one of our upcoming informational webinars that will be offered in English and French: 

English Webinar 
Date: Wednesday, June 4, 2025 
Time: 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM EST 

French Webinar 
Date: Friday, June 6, 2025 
Time: 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM EST

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