Aboriginal Arts and Culture Leadership Grant

The purpose of the Aboriginal Arts and Culture Leadership Grant (AACL) is to take constructive action on addressing the ongoing legacies of colonialism that have had destructive impacts on First Nations and/or Métis peoples’ cultures.

AACL aims to support First Nations and/or Métis-led eligible cultural activities that provide significant opportunities for cultural impact for First Nations and/or Métis peoples in Saskatchewan.

AACL supports projects that build leadership skills, and revitalize and sustain First Nations and/or Métis peoples’ worldviews, knowledge systems, cultural practices, languages, oral histories, laws, protocols, and relationships to the land through the:

• transmission of cultural skills and knowledge to First Nations and/or Métis youth; and
• participation in intergenerational cultural activity.

The maximum amount that can be requested for any activity is $30,000.

A variety of project sizes and community needs are supported by the funding program. For projects requesting between $15,000 and $30,000 there must be a significant opportunity for meaningful impact. Applicants must show:

• the depth of experience and/or learning for participants and/or audience; and
• how well the project provides opportunities for leadership development; and
• significant commitment to the project through other self-generated income, in-kind support of staff and volunteers, and evidence of community support, etc.; and
• how the project addresses barriers to participation; and
• how the project will be evaluated; and
• past successes and challenges for returning SaskCulture-funded projects; and
• the potential for long-term impact.

Priority will be given to projects that:

• take place in the province’s northern and/or rural or otherwise underserved communities.
• are from First Nations and/or Métis communities and organizations new to the AACL grant program.
• have not received an AACL grant in the previous year.
• are from applicants that have not received SaskCulture or Sask Lotteries operational funding totaling more than $30,000 in the last year.

Eligible Applicants include:

Registered Non-Profit organizations in Saskatchewan. These organizations must:

• have a primarily cultural mandate in Arts, Heritage, Multiculturalism or Cultural Industries as defined by SaskCulture’s Cultural Policy, or otherwise demonstrate significant engagement in cultural activity;
• be in existence as a registered non-profit for at least one full fiscal year;
  • be in good standing with Information Services Corporation (ISC);
  • have no outstanding grant follow-ups due to SaskCulture; and,
  • provide a signed copy of the organization’s annual financial statement that was most recently submitted to the ISC to show evidence of good standing as a non-profit organization in Saskatchewan

OR

Be a First Nation, Tribal Council, Métis Local, or Municipality. The applicant must:

• be in good standing with the Sask Lotteries Community Grant Program; and
• have no outstanding grant follow-ups due to SaskCulture.

Ineligible Applicants include:

• Organizations or departments that are part of a federal or provincial operation and/or Crown Corporation
• Organizations that receive funding directed by the Government of Saskatchewan
• Districts for Sport, Culture and Recreation
• Eligible Cultural Organizations (ECOs) and other organizations that receive operational funding directly from the Culture Section of Saskatchewan Lotteries Trust Fund
• Schools and Post-Secondary Institutions
• Libraries
• Non-profit professional organizations and associations that do not have an integral First Nations or Métis focus
• Unincorporated groups
• Individuals

If your organization does not meet the eligibility requirements, contact the Consultant to discuss your project, eligibility and what other options or funds might be available to you. Options may include:

• Forming a partnership (for unincorporated groups) with an eligible organization to meet the eligibility requirements for this grant program
• Searching SaskCulture’s “Find a Grant” tool to find other funding opportunities, such as:
  • Artists in Schools program through SK Arts
  • Share and Connect program through SK Arts

The AACL grant can cover direct costs to develop and deliver a cultural project.

Please ensure that only Eligible Expenses are included in the budget table tool in the application form and that revenues and expenses are clearly explained and balanced (revenue = expenses).

Upon approval, funds may only be used for the eligible activities outlined in your application. Significant changes to the use of funds must be approved by SaskCulture. Funds may not be transferred to other activities or organizations and unused funds must be returned to SaskCulture.

If grants are received from other sources for this project, make sure there are enough eligible expenses for each grant source. If the expenses are less than the total grant funding, a portion of the SaskCulture grant may need to be returned.

The following items are Eligible project expenses:

Wages/Honorariums:

• Wages, honorarium and contract agreements for cultural resource people who are offering their skills and expertise for the term of the project.
• Wages for out-of-province cultural workers may be eligible if it is to lead work that cannot otherwise be conducted by someone in Saskatchewan. Contact the Consultant before making an out-of-province request.
• Pay for cultural experts who are sharing their knowledge and skills for the project.
• Honourarium for program participants who are directly contributing their knowledge and/or lived experience to community engagement projects.
• Organizations that are not ethnocultural, multicultural, First Nations or Métis may apply for events and festivals but are limited to artistic fees, honoraria and travel costs for multicultural, First Nations or Métis performers, Knowledge Keepers, presenters or resource people. In these applications, General event expenses are not eligible.

Project Expenses including Food and Nutrition:

• Material expenses related to the cultural activity, including gifts related to First Nations cultural protocols.
• Cultural material assets must remain with the applicant organization, not the participants.
• Food/Nutrition expenses as an important component of program delivery, if discussed with the Consultant:
  • A recommended maximum of 20% of the total grant award can support food expenses that are a part of the cultural experience being offered;
  • While there is some flexibility, a strong rationale would need to be provided to exceed this amount, such as:
    • Costs integral to learning how to prepare a cultural dish
    • Sharing food as part of cultural engagement and cultural traditions
    • Removing barriers for children by providing nutritious snacks
  • The application must include examples of the food being provided and a breakdown of costs in the budget description (for example, snacks such as fruit, veggies, cheese, muffins, etc., calculated at $102.20 x 20 sessions = $2,040). If approved, legible receipts will be needed to claim food expenses;
  • Organizations are strongly encouraged to follow Canada’s Food Guide for healthy options;
  • Note: Catering costs for a conference or activity are not eligible.

Facilities / Studio / Offices Costs

• Facility costs would only be considered eligible in situations where additional space is required for the project to move ahead.

Travel Costs:

• Travel expenses for participants based in Saskatchewan attending eligible activity.
• This includes gas, rental of vehicles, bus transit, taxi or ride share, and airfare.

Advertising and Promotions:

• A recommended maximum of 10% of the total grant request can be used for advertising and promotion costs for the project.
• A strong rationale would need to be provided to exceed this amount.

Ineligible projects include:

• Activities that use or present First Nations or Métis cultural material, traditional knowledge or stories without evidence of permission (supporting letters) from the community
• Performative or passive entertainment that does not include an exchange of cultural knowledge or awareness
• Projects that include religious or political activities, viewpoints or components

START DATE: Projects must start at least eight (8) weeks after the grant deadline, which means they cannot start earlier than June 20, 2025.

END DATE: All projects must be completed within one year of the start date. If you need to change your plans before or during the project, contact the Consultant as soon as possible.

• While the planning phase may start earlier, the project itself must take place at least 8 weeks after the deadline. All claimed expenses must be within the grant’s start and end date.

Applications that do not meet the applicant or project eligibility requirements will not be reviewed.

The following items are Ineligible project expenses:

Wages/Honorariums:

• Allowances, wages or personal expenses for program registrants and participants.
• Salaries and expenses of existing staff of the applicant organization.

Project Expenses:

• Capital expenses such as construction, renovations or repairs.
• Cash or other prizes, gifts, medals, trophies, charitable donations, or the purchase of alcohol.
• Generally, food costs are ineligible. See above Eligible Expenses for exceptions.

Facilities / Studio / Office Costs:

• Office and administration fees, including utilities, rent and/or rental of an applicant organization’s own facilities.

Travel Costs:

• Travel and accommodation expenses to bring in out-of-province cultural workers.
• Travel and any program expenses for out-of-province participants.
• Expenses related to cultural activity taking place outside of the province.
  • Discuss exceptions with the Consultant.

In-Kind Contributions:

In-kind contributions (such as volunteer hours, donations for food, goods, services, equipment, waiving office/facility rental fee, etc.) do not replace eligible expenses and should not be included in the budget. In-kind contributions and non-monetary support for a project can be described in the proposal as evidence of community support and partnerships.

Applications are due April 25, 2025. Late applications will not be considered for funding.

Generally, applications are expected to be submitted via the Online Grant Platform (OGP) unless accessibility arrangements have been made.

• Applicants are encouraged to consult with SaskCulture prior to submitting an application. Depending on the number of applications received, there may be opportunities for early submissions to get feedback to help improve aspects of an application that are unclear or ineligible in advance of a deadline, but this is not a guarantee of either feedback or funding.
• SaskCulture will review applications to confirm basic eligibility requirements have been met prior to submitting all grants to the funding assessors. If a submission is ineligible, the applicant will be notified.
• Only complete, signed and submitted applications will be considered. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that their application is successfully submitted. Two different people must sign the application.
• Eligible applications are evaluated by volunteer community members with knowledge and experience that relates to the purpose and priority of this grant program.
• Applicants can expect to be informed of funding results within eight (8) to ten (10) weeks of the application deadline. Funding decisions are final and will not be revisited or appealed.
• Successful applicants receive 100% of their total grant allocation upon grant approval. A Follow-up Report (FUR) must be submitted after the project has taken place.

The funding assessors will evaluate applications based on the following criteria:

• How well the proposed project meets the Purpose and Priorities of the grant program; and
• The depth of experience and/or learning for participants and/or audience; and
• How well the project includes and supports participation from northern and rural communities, and underserved groups, including those led by or supporting equity-denied communities; and
• How well the project provides opportunities for leadership development; and
• How well the project addresses barriers to participation; and
• How well the project includes evidence of resourcefulness, collaboration, community support and engagement, and/or involvement from community partners in planning and delivering the project; and
• The potential for ongoing impact and legacy; and
  • Note: Returning or otherwise annual projects funded by SaskCulture may have their most recent project Follow-Up Report provided to assessors as part of the assessment process.
• Evidence of realistic and responsible use of resources (including funds, volunteers, etc.), and the ability of the applicant organization to complete the project and deliver quality cultural projects. This includes supporting those who have had limited access to SaskCulture funding in the past.

Once your organization has been approved for a grant, applicants will:

• Use the funds for the eligible activities outlined in their application. Any changes to the use of funds must be approved by SaskCulture. Funds may not be transferred to other activities or organizations and unused funds must be returned to SaskCulture;
• Be required to retain all supporting receipts. All first-time grant recipients will be required to submit receipts. Other grant recipients will only submit receipts if requested to do so by the Outreach Consultant. Failure to submit receipts may affect the approved grant amount. For example, partial or no final payment, or a grant return of the first payment may be required;
• Have access to the Follow-up Report form on the Online Grant Platform, following the automatic system notification of approved funding;
• Be required to submit a Follow-up Report within 45 days of the completion of the project. This report must detail the activities of the project and indicate how it met the goals of the funding program;
• Refer to the Follow-up Report Form at the beginning of the project, as statistical information will need to be gathered during the project. The grant recipient may want to use the budget tool regularly as a project management tool;
• Use the funds for the funded project within 12 months of the project’s start date: and,
• Recognize Sask Lotteries as the funder in all relevant promotions and event opportunities, as well as highlighting SaskCulture’s funding program to help build awareness of the programs.

Example:

YOUR ORGANIZATION NAME received financial assistance from Sask Lotteries, thanks to a SaskCulture program.

Logos and promotional materials, along with how-to guides, are available at Using Logos.

Failure to meet the above funding obligations to the satisfaction of SaskCulture will be grounds to withhold the final payment if applicable, and will restrict access to future funding.

You will receive correspondence stating that your application has been denied funding for this particular funding program. While all decisions, made by volunteer Peer Assessors, are final, this news should not deter you from applying for future funding opportunities.

• Review the funding program criteria and determine how your application might better address the priorities. If your project’s objectives do not line up with the criteria of the funding program, take the opportunity to explore other options.
• Check your project budget and ensure that your costs are realistic based on your intended outcomes.
• Contact the Outreach Consultant to discuss ideas and/or changes needed for success. If the Consultant feels your project still has potential, adjust your application and try again at a different deadline or for a different fund.