CDF Grant Application Process

The Catherine Donnelly Foundation takes a proactive approach to adult education, viewing it as an important tool to address the most pressing social, environmental, cultural and community development problems and concerns today.

We are committed to supporting projects that promote active citizenship, democracy, personal and social transformation by fostering the development of critical consciousness and skills required to promote a more just, equitable and sustainable society in Canada.

The Foundation considers applications from groups and organizations that use adult education processes that promote justice and equity for new Canadians, refugees, migrant workers, Indigenous peoples and other marginalized or excluded populations.

The Catherine Donnelly Foundation seeks to foster a diverse and inclusive climate justice movement, where communities and voices that are under-served lead the path forward to a climate-safe, resilient, caring, and socially-just future.

Our Environment funding strategy is aimed at promoting climate justice and supporting initiatives that mobilize to accelerate the transition to a post-carbon world. Our approach recognizes an inseparable bond with nature, intersections with other social movements, and a desire to address the root causes of climate change.

The Foundation supports projects that address homelessness and the scandalous lack of affordable housing through research, policy development, effective and independent communication initiatives, capacity building and advocacy within the sector. We want to hear from groups engaged in collective efforts to examine and craft solutions for the root causes of Canada's housing crisis.

We particularly want to support projects that advance the cause of affordable and appropriate housing in collaboration with First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action and projects that advance the cause of affordable and appropriate housing for newcomer, refugee and immigrant communities.

Applicants to the Catherine Donnelly Foundation can be Canadian registered charities or qualified donees under Canada Revenue Agency guidelines. Non-profit groups working in partnership with a Canadian sponsoring charitable organization or a qualified donee can also apply. We also accept applications from registered non-profit organizations without charitable status.

For-profit businesses are not eligible to apply.

No. The Catherine Donnelly Foundation only considers organizations for grants.

No. The Catherine Donnelley Foundation only supports and funds projects implemented in Canada.

Sorry, but the Catherine Donnelly Foundation does not grant outside our funding priorities.

If your project overlaps with more than one of our funding areas, you will need to choose the one with the most alignment and apply through that funding stream. We encourage you to contact staff who can offer advice on which program to apply under.

Organizations and submissions that are rejected at one stage in the granting process, can re-apply at the next grant cycle. However, they are strongly encouraged to discuss project concept with Foundation staff prior to making a new submission.

Past grant recipients may re-apply for funding and submit a new letter of inquiry, once their first project has been fully completed and a Final Report has been submitted and approved by the Foundation.

Yes. Applications are considered based on guidelines set out by the Catherine Donnelly Foundation. Many of our programs/projects are supported by a range of funders: foundations, government, private sector and communities. In fact, we generally prefer it if projects are jointly funded, although it is not a requirement.

You may apply for one-year or two-year project funding in all three grant streams. The Foundation is committed to funding social change and will seek out longer-term partnerships with social change agents and groups that share its vision and objectives. Often multi-year projects emerge through relationships the Foundation has built through funding and other collaborations.

Inquiries regarding longer-term funding partnership opportunities should be directed to: Anne Mark, Director of Programs, at amark@catherinedonnellyfoundation.org.

In addition to our grantmaking, the Catherine Donnelly Foundation leverages its assets to create social good through impact investing. For more information on impact investment contact Shelley Cahill, Finance Administrator at scahill@catherinedonnellyfoundation.org.