Apply for Community Cultural Engagement and Planning Grant Program (Canada)

Deadline: 17-Feb-2026

The SaskCulture CCEP Grant Program supports municipalities, First Nations, Tribal Councils, Métis Locals, and partner non-profits in Saskatchewan to plan, develop, and implement community cultural initiatives. The program provides four funding streams with grants ranging from $5,000 to $20,000, prioritizing underserved and equity-denied communities, Indigenous-led initiatives, and projects advancing Truth and Reconciliation.

Program Overview

The Community Cultural Engagement and Planning (CCEP) Grant Program helps communities in Saskatchewan enhance their cultural life through structured planning, research, engagement, and implementation. The program is open to municipalities, First Nations, Tribal Councils, Métis Locals, Métis Regions, and non-profit organizations partnering with these entities. CCEP supports research, community engagement, culture plan development, and implementation initiatives, emphasizing inclusive approaches that reflect community needs and priorities.

Funding Streams and Details

CCEP is delivered through four streams, each with distinct funding levels and purposes:

1. Research Stream – Purpose: Information gathering, cultural asset mapping, assessments, feasibility studies, surveys, and publication of findings. Funding: Up to $5,000 at 100% funding.

2. Engagement Stream – Purpose: Community engagement activities, including public meetings, town halls, focus groups, facilitated discussions, and cultural capacity-building. Funding: Up to $5,000 at 100% funding.

3. Development of a Culture Plan – Purpose: Creation of a comprehensive culture plan, building on prior research and engagement work. Funding: Up to $20,000, covering up to 50% of eligible expenses. The applicant must provide the remaining 50% from other sources.

4. Implementation Stream – Purpose: Execution of an approved community culture plan or other culture-focused initiatives. Funding: Up to $5,000 at 100% funding.

Priority Considerations: Projects in northern, rural, or underserved communities; initiatives led by equity-denied communities; cultural organizations representing ethnocultural, First Nations, or Métis groups; applicants with limited prior operational funding (<$30,000 from SaskCulture or Sask Lotteries); projects advancing Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action and engaging Elders or Knowledge Keepers.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible applicants include urban and rural municipalities, First Nations, Tribal Councils, Métis Locals, and Métis Regions in Saskatchewan, as well as partner non-profit organizations. Requirements: Must be in good standing with the Sask Lotteries Community Grant Program, no outstanding SaskCulture follow-up reports, submit one proposal per CCEP deadline, cannot request multiple SaskCulture grants for the same activity and timeframe, and applicants with overdue Lottery-funded reports are ineligible.

How to Apply

1. Select the Appropriate Stream: Research, Engagement, Development of a Culture Plan, or Implementation.

2. Prepare Application Materials: Include project objectives, scope, timeline, budget, and community impact plan.

3. Submit Application: Follow SaskCulture’s official submission portal guidelines.

4. Budget Requirements: For Development of a Culture Plan, demonstrate the remaining 50% contribution.

5. Review Process: Applications are evaluated based on alignment with program objectives, feasibility, capacity, sustainability, and priority criteria.

Tips for Applicants

Focus on underserved or equity-denied communities, highlight collaboration with local cultural organizations or Indigenous groups, show how the project advances Truth and Reconciliation or community engagement, ensure accurate budgeting and adherence to stream-specific funding caps, and submit only one proposal per deadline.

FAQ

1. Who can apply? Municipalities, First Nations, Tribal Councils, Métis Locals, Métis Regions, and eligible non-profit partners in Saskatchewan.
2. How much funding can I request? Research: $5,000 (100%); Engagement: $5,000 (100%); Development of Culture Plan: $20,000 (up to 50%); Implementation: $5,000 (100%).
3. Can multiple grants be applied for at the same time? No, only one proposal per CCEP deadline is allowed.
4. Are projects in northern or rural areas prioritized? Yes, along with initiatives led by equity-denied communities and projects advancing Truth and Reconciliation.
5. What types of projects are eligible? Research, engagement, culture plan development, and implementation activities that enhance the cultural life of communities.
6. Can non-profits apply independently? Yes, if partnering with eligible municipalities, First Nations, Tribal Councils, or Métis organizations.
7. What happens if an applicant has overdue reports? Applicants with outstanding Lottery or SaskCulture follow-up reports are not eligible to apply.

Conclusion

The SaskCulture CCEP Grant Program provides Saskatchewan communities with structured funding to plan, develop, and implement cultural initiatives. With dedicated streams, prioritized support for underserved communities, and a clear application process, the program empowers municipalities and Indigenous-led organizations to strengthen cultural life, promote inclusion, and advance reconciliation efforts.

For more information, visit SaskCulture.