Women's Program - Funding

The Women's Program provides financial and professional assistance to organizations to carry out projects at the local, regional and national levels in order to improve the status of women in key areas, such as women's economic status and violence against women and girls.

Eligibility Criteria

• Incorporated not-for-profit* and for-profit Canadian organizations.
  Note: An unincorporated organization that wishes to apply for funding can partner with an incorporated organization that agrees to a) make the application on the unincorporated partner's behalf and b) take financial and administrative responsibility for the project.
• To be eligible for Women's Program funding, an organization's mandate and objectives must reflect:
  • Section 15 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which stipulates, "(1) Every individual is equal before and under the law and has the right to the equal protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination and, in particular, without discrimination based on race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age or mental or physical disability" and "(2) Subsection (1) does not preclude any law, program or activity that has as its object the amelioration of conditions of disadvantaged individuals or groups, including those that are disadvantaged because of race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age or mental or physical disability"; and
  • A democratic structure and responsible governance.

Eligible Activities

• Eligible Projects
  • Funding is available for projects that:
    • support the Women's Program's objective;
    • occur within a specified period;
    • articulate demonstrable expected outcomes with a thorough and precise plan;
    • involve women affected by the stated priority issue/s in all aspects of the project: planning, implementation, evaluation, etc.; and
    • confirm in writing other sources of financial and/or in-kind support.
• Eligible Expenditures
  • Eligible expenditures must relate directly to the project. They include:
  • travel costs within Canada;
  • travel costs outside of Canada for activities related to United Nations (UN) or United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW);
  • salaries and benefits;
  • honoraria/professional fees;
  • facility rental and utilities;
  • office equipment and furniture (to a maximum of $10 000) per project;
  • materials and supplies;
  • publicity and promotion; and
  • audit and evaluation.

Summary

The Women's Program is delivered within an accountable and transparent framework through two components, each with specific objectives and planned outcomes:

• Women's Community Fund
• Women's Partnership Fund

2008-2009 Funding Priorities

The following issues have been identified as Women's Program priorities for 2008-2009:

• women's economic security (with a focus on financial literacy);
• women's economic prosperity;
• women's leadership development;
• women's safety;
• elimination of all forms of violence and discrimination against women and girls.

Funding Level

The maximum financial support for which a recipient is eligible is $500 000 per fiscal year.

Status of Women Canada generally provides funding to a maximum of 60 percent of the cost of any project. Status of Women Canada does not provide core funding or funding to cover ongoing administration costs. Applicants must provide written confirmation of all other funding sources.

Duration

The Women's Program provides short-term funding, up to a maximum period of 18 months, and multi-year funding, up to a maximum period of 36 months.

*Note: "non-profit" also known as nonprofit organizations, non profit organizations, not-for-profit organizations, voluntary organizations and volunteer organizations.

Manitoba Contact(s):
West, Northwest Territories and Yukon
Status of Women Canada
Suite 1001
Highfield Place
10010 - 106 Street North West
Edmonton, Alberta  T5J 3L8
Telephone: 780-495-3839
Fax: 780-495-2315
Toll-free (information): 1-866-966-3640
E-mail: infowest@swc-cfc.gc.ca
Web site: http://www.swc-cfc.gc.ca/index_e.html

National Contact(s):
Status of Women Canada
10th Floor
123 Slater Street
Ottawa, Ontario  K1P 1H9
Telephone: 613-995-7835
Fax: 613-947-0761
Toll-free (information): 1-866-902-2719
E-mail: infonational@swc-cfc.gc.ca
Web site: http://www.swc-cfc.gc.ca/index_e.html