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

Applicants are required to complete and submit one of the application forms (below), which details all required information.

The application process launches annually in August and submissions are due by October 1.

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
    • Connection to Lake Superior NMCA priorities
    • Expected results or outcomes
    • Key activities
    • Proposed timeline (major milestones)
    • Communication plans (if applicable)
    • Risk management
  • Budget Details
    • Copy and complete below table for each fiscal year (follow example provided)

Fiscal Year: 2025-2026

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   $5,000 (cash from FedNor) 
$7,00 (in-kind - staff time supervising)		 $15,000 (cash)
$7,000 (in-kind)
         
         
         
         
Total        

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.

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.

 

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