Grants and Contributions at Lake Superior NMCA

Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area

Overview

The Grants and Contributions Program at Lake Superior NMCA follows the terms and conditions of Parks Canada’s General Class Grants and Contributions Program (GCGCP) to make transfer payments to external organizations working on projects and initiatives that further Parks Canada’s mandate, as well as site objectives and priorities. Currently, $325,000 are set aside annually for Grants and Contributions at Lake Superior NMCA. The amount may vary based on multi-year commitments (i.e. projects which have been approved for funding in previous years) and is subject to availability of program funds.

Parks Canada Mandate

  • Preserve and protect nationally significant examples of Canada’s natural and cultural heritage
  • Present and foster public understanding, appreciation and enjoyment in ways that ensure the ecological and commemorative integrity of these places for present and future generations

GCGCP Expected Results and Outcomes

  • Canadians recognize and appreciate the value of Canada’s natural and cultural heritage, are engaged in its conservation, and are informed about or educated in such areas as ecology, Canadian history, protected or conserved areas management, safety, and other matters
  • Stakeholders are engaged in the protection and conservation of Canada’s natural and commemorative heritage
  • Parks Canada Agency managers, partners and stakeholders have access to a better knowledge base for informed decision-making, engagement and dialogue on commercial, ecological, cultural, historical, protection, preservation, land and marine stewardship or Indigenous matters of mutual interest
  • Visitors are provided opportunities to participate in quality experiences, and to acquire culturally relevant goods and services
  • Heritage assets are protected, secured and researched
  • Ecosystems, species and habitats are conserved
  • Federal protected and conserved areas are established, managed effectively through appropriate stewardship mechanisms and arrangements, and are part of a connected network enabling species movement and sustaining ecosystem processes across the landscape and seascape
  • Canadians in urban and peri-urban areas have access to natural spaces that are managed to provide environmental and cultural benefits.

Lake Superior NMCA Priorities

  • Resource Conservation – initiatives focused on protection, conservation, preservation, and restoration of natural and cultural resources
  • Visitor Experiences – initiatives focused on development, improvements, and implementation of opportunities for visitors to Lake Superior’s north shore
  • Strategic Planning – initiatives focused on developing plans, strategies, and reports related to visitor experiences, community well-being, tourism, sustainability, and resource conservation
  • Indigenous and Coastal Community Well-being – initiatives focused on promoting sustainable use of Lake Superior NMCA, community programming or events, infrastructure, planning, and supporting management boards for surrounding communities
  • Marine Access – projects that improve marine access to Lake Superior NMCA and benefit both visitors and adjacent communities by improving safety, access, resource protection, stewardship, and enjoyment

Eligibility Considerations

Eligible recipients:

  • Research, academic and educational institutions
  • Non-profit organizations
  • Management Boards
  • Government (Indigenous, municipal, and provincial)
  • For-profit organizations (small business)*
  • Intergovernmental organizations
  • Individuals

Priority will be given to applicants whose head office is in the federal ridings of Thunder Bay-Superior North or Thunder Bay-Rainy River, adjacent to Lake Superior NMCA.

*For-profit organizations must contribute at least 10% towards the overall project budget.

Eligible Projects or Initiatives:

  • Seed and interim funding to provide enhanced (value-added) services for visitors
  • Surveys, research, knowledge acquisition and inventories
  • Science and monitoring
  • Conservation restoration activities
  • Conservation administration, e.g. acquisition of lands, conservation agreements, development rights
  • Operational and capacity development and training support to help establish and manage protected or conserved areas and related stewardship mechanisms and arrangements
  • Indigenous Guardian programs and related projects
  • Awareness building, connection, education, training, capacity building, standards development and outreach
  • Indigenous knowledge and expertise sharing related to land negotiations, park/site management planning, cultural heritage, interpretation, visitor experience, protection and conservation projects, environmental monitoring, and relationship building
  • Fund Indigenous groups for capacity building for increased economic opportunities, engagement and joint planning in cooperative initiatives of mutual interest, and presentation of culture
  • Operational support to management boards
  • Collaboration, education and outreach in connecting Canadians to nature
  • Specific events or for knowledge and capacity building in fields of mutual interest
  • Projects related to shared ecosystems and cultural landscapes

 

Eligible expenses:

  • Land or other real property acquisition
  • Purchase or rental of equipment (not eligible for for-profit organizations)
  • Operations and administration costs, e.g. salaries/wages and benefits, insurance, audit fees, training, transportation
  • Acquisition and shipping of goods
  • Service fees
  • Developing standards, establishing and sustaining collaborations and community relations, e.g. workshops, outreach sessions, training
  • Translation
  • Travel, meals, and accommodations pursuant to Treasury Board regulations
  • Other actual or reasonable expenses

Funding priority will be given to projects that have strong connections to the identified priorities for Lake Superior NMCA. The intent of this program is to provide support for short-term projects of three years or less. It is not meant to fund long-term operational costs. Applicants are encouraged to look for other funding opportunities to assist with long-term or ongoing operational costs such as summer students, overhead costs, etc.

Applicants seeking funding for 3+ year projects are encouraged to structure their project into phases and reapply for funding to support subsequent phases. Occasionally, applications for projects with a duration greater than three years in length may be considered at the discretion of Parks Canada based on the nature of the project, relationship with the organization, and funding availability.

How to apply

The application process is now open, and submissions are due by 23:59 EST October 1.

• Fill out the GC Form found below.
• Download and submit the completed budget form by email to lsnmca-contributions-amncls@pc.gc.ca.

To apply, there are two forms to complete.

GC Form

Budget Form


Questions  about the application process or whether your project is eligible? Contact us at lsnmca-contributions-amncls@pc.gc.ca or call 807-372-0080.

Here is a checklist to help applicants gather necessary information to complete the applications:

Applicant Information

  • Legal name
  • GST/HST/business number
  • Past grants or contributions from Parks Canada (GC#)
  • Name of person with signing authority
  • Management and financial capacity
  • List former public servants or lobbyists involved in project/initiative

Project Overview

  • Objective/goal
  • Start and end dates
  • Total funding request (by year, if applicable)
  • Percentage of funding requested from Parks Canada
  • Connection to Parks Canada mandate
    • Examples:
    • This project supports infrastructure upgrades to improve visitor access to Lake Superior NMCA and will result in increased appreciation and understanding of the significance of Lake Superior.
    • This project supports clearer understanding of ecological function of the site through research to better inform future ecological restoration projects.
    • This event supports the sharing of Indigenous cultural knowledge through workshops and cultural gatherings.
  • Connection to Lake Superior NMCA priorities
  • Expected results or outcomes
  • Key activities
  • Proposed timeline (major milestones)
  • Communication plans (if applicable)
  • Risk management

Budget Details NEW THIS YEAR

Example Budgets under $5,000

Example A

Activity and types of cost

Budget
  • Travel costs for 1 person traveling from Thunder Bay to Nipigon

$788
  • Wages for staff working on project

$3,623
  • Equipment- PPE, hand tool

$589

Total Project Budget

$5,000

 

Example B

Activity and types of cost

Budget
  • Program and Event Delivery

$2,000
  • Salary and Equipment

$1,000
  • Marketing and Promotions

$2,000

Total Project Budget

$5,000

 

Example Budget over $5,000

Fiscal Year: 2026-2027

Key Activity or Cost

Funding asked of Parks Canada

Recipient contributions(Including cash or in-kind contributions)

Other external contributions(Including cash or in-kind contributions)

Project Activity Total

Staff wages

$10,000

$7,000 (in-kind - staff time supervising)

$5,000 (cash from FedNor)

$15,000 (cash)
$7,000 (in-kind)

Training Workshop

$0

$1,000

$0

$1,000

Supplies (Automatic Recording Units, Nets, Safety kits, etc.)

$3,500

$0

$0

$3,500

Travel

$500

$0

$0

$500

Community event to develop monitoring standards

$1,000

$0

$0

$1,000

Total

$15,000

$8,000

$5,000

$21,000 (cash)

$7,000 (in-kind)
  • All line items in the budget must be eligible expenses (i.e., staff wages directly tied to project, reasonable travel pursuant to Treasury Board travel regulations, etc.)
  • Inclusion of budget information for Other External Contributions (including cash or in-kind contributions) is only required if the Contribution is over $100,000.

Additional supporting documents

  • Please include any other relevant documents that may support your application such as:
    • Letters of Support,
    • Strategic Plans,
    • Overviews of previous phases of a project,
    • Other relevant planning documents.

Note that both the GC Form and Budget Form must be submitted prior to the deadline of Oct.1 at 23:59 EST to be considered for funding.

Late submissions will not be accepted.

 

Selection process

Grants and contributions are subject to availability of program funds. Applications will be assessed based on eligibility and application assessment criteria, such as:

  • Alignment with Parks Canada’s mandate
  • Connection to Lake Superior NMCA priorities
  • Capacity to deliver
  • Risk management and mitigation
  • Realistic and achievable results, activities, and timeline
  • Proposed budget and other contributors

Notification

All applicants are informed regarding the status of their application by end of November. If your project is selected for funding, please note that this funding approval is notional only. Funding is only finalized or approved once you receive a signed agreement from Parks Canada.

Tips for applicants

Whether this is your first time applying or whether you have received funding in the past, keep these tips in mind through the application process.

Advice to applicants

  • Review the eligibility requirements to ensure your project aligns. Unsure? Contact us to discuss.
  • Be sure to outline your project clearly including the objectives, methods, and expected outcomes. Be specific!
  • If your project involves other partners or organizations, please explain what their involvement is, provide letters of support, or detail how you plan to engage them.
  • Avoid jargon and technical language. If you use acronyms, be sure to define them.
  • Submit early. Avoid last-minute technical issues or stress by submitting your application well before the deadline. Late submissions will not be accepted.
  • Ensure you submit both the GC Form and the budget form. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

We want to hear from you! If you have any questions about the program or want to discuss your application, we are happy to connect at lsnmca-contributions-amncls@pc.gc.ca or 807-372-0080.

Advice to successful recipients

  • Familiarize yourself with your agreement. Once you have received a grant or contribution, you are expected to manage the funds and project according to the agreement.
  • Keep Parks Canada up to date on the status of your project by submitting narrative and financial reports on time.
  • Request changes as soon as possible. While agreements can be amended, certain changes affect Parks Canada finances and depending on timing may not be possible. The last date for amending agreements ending on March 31 is January 31. Extensions into another fiscal year mean that less money will be available for new applicants.

Note: Failure to achieve expected results or requests for extra funding can also affect your future success when applying for grants and contributions.

Contact us for more information

If you have questions about grants and contributions, feel free to send an email to lsnmca-contributions-amncls@pc.gc.ca or call 807-372-0080.

 

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