To be eligible to apply, communities must have an active Animator (who has completed all 7 training modules) and a Backbone organization. The Animator must be involved in the planning and implementation of the proposal and project.

• Animators from the pilot communities may need supplemental information to complete the application because the training curriculum has been revised.

The Backbone Organization must be a Non-Profit, Registered Charity, or affiliated with a local government (i.e., FCSS Office, First Nation, Métis Settlement, Municipality, Municipal District, or Special Area).

• A for-profit entity cannot serve as the Backbone.
• AHS and Health Advisory Councils are not able to be Backbone Organizations.

If the Animator works for the Backbone Organization, we require someone else with signing authority (who is not directly supervised by the Animator) to be the Backbone Contact.

• The Animator cannot be the sole director of a non-audited organization. If this is the case, a new Backbone Organization will have to be chosen. Contact us if you have questions or need support finding an eligible Backbone Organization.

Non-audited organizations will have additional financial reporting requirements.

Projects focusing exclusively on existing service provision (e.g., clinical forms of counselling) are not eligible. Pre-existing programs are not eligible for funding, but Animators may apply to expand on an existing community-driven program. Communities funded in the pilot year (2021) are eligible to apply for funding again in this grant cycle (2022) for a new project or an expansion of their initial project. Additional funding is not guaranteed.

• Funding to expand on an existing RMH-funded project is dependent on demonstrating the growth and impact of the initial project.
• Funding for past Recipients will also be dependent on the quality of reporting received throughout the initial grant term.

Grant term length is 1 year. Each applicant/community may only receive one grant per funding cycle. Projects must be tailored to specific communities, taking the local context into account to build on a community’s unique strengths and assets (i.e., cannot copy-paste same project across several communities in the same county).

• Animators are encouraged to submit an application together for a Multi-Community Grant if their respective communities will benefit from the same project, however they must demonstrate that their project is collaborative and community-led. Every community in the partnership must have a trained Animator who is involved in the project.

All projects must adhere to applicable municipal, provincial, and federal guidelines regarding COVID-19 safety.

Consult the Application Guidelines for a full list of eligible and ineligible expenses.