Community-led Funding Opportunity

Do you want to help create better ways  for refugee claimants in Ottawa to get the services they need?

The Collective Impact Initiative for Refugee Claimants (CIIRC) partnership, with the support of an anonymous donor via the Ottawa Community Foundation, is thrilled to launch a new funding opportunity for projects aimed at building new approaches to meeting the needs of  refugee claimants in our community. 

This Call for Proposals (CFP) is your chance to bring bold, innovative ideas to life! We’re seeking transformative projects that break down systemic barriers and create meaningful, lasting improvements for refugee claimants in key areas across Ottawa.

Don’t miss this opportunity to drive change and make a real impact!

We welcome applications from the following types of organizations:

1. Non-profit organizations – Organizations with charitable status, registered or incorporated as non-profits.
2. Collaboratives, partnerships, or networks – New or pre-existing partnerships that involve meaningful formal collaboration between multiple organizations, where one of them is eligible to be the main applicant.
3. Faith-based organizations – Eligible if their proposed projects are non-proselytizing.
4. Citizens' groups or informal collectives – Must partner with a non-profit, which will be responsible for administering the grant.

The Ottawa Community Foundation will disburse the funds directly to recipients. The OCF’s funding protocols require the main applicant to be a registered charity or work with a charitable partner. Both applicants and charitable partners must be based in Ottawa.

Applicants must select one stream of funding: 

Stream 1: One-Year Funding Amount: $75,000 - $100,000

For projects that aim to:

• Develop the first phase of an initiative to address challenges faced by refugee claimants
• Build organizational and collaborative capacity
• Test new, innovative solutions with potential for scalability

Requirement: All proposals must explain how the short-term initiative contributes to systemic change. Applicants must also outline a clear work plan for the one-year period as it relates to their budget.

Stream 2: Two- to Three-Year Funding Amount: $100,000 - $150,000 per year 

For initiatives that aim to:

• Implement and embed systemic changes (e.g., developing a new service framework or enhancing cross-sector collaboration around service navigation for refugee claimants)

Applicants must submit the downloadable application form as well as the combined budget and work plan form. An organization may only submit one application where they are the main applicant. An organization can be the main applicant on one application and a supporting or participating partner on a second application. 

Additional documents:

• Submit your latest financial report or audit, if available (one each from the main applicant and fiscal host, if different)  
• Include proof of collaboration and partnership: Applicants must submit letters of support or other documentation to demonstrate partnerships. 

We invite applicants to:

• Join an online information session open to all: January 9, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.   
• Participate in our optional online Coaching Calls to ask specific questions regarding their initiatives. Applicants may drop in to speak to CIIRC staff at any time during these hours:  

• January 14, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. 
• January 23, 2025, from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.

Click here to download forms