Call for Entries: Changing Narratives Fund (Canada)

The CMF’s administering of the Changing Narratives Fund will focus on equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility initiatives within Canada’s audiovisual industry. These investments will support a range of activities, including mentorship, training, and work placements, to provide creators and companies the industry opportunities they need to succeed at all stages.

The Changing Narratives Fund (“CNF” or “the Fund”) is a new fund to support creators from Diverse Communities, including Indigenous, Black, racialized, ethno-religious minorities, Persons with disabilities/Disabled persons, and 2SLGBTQ+ communities. It aims to:

• Fund professional development, training, and mentorship initiatives that will help increase the number of qualified and skilled diverse creators in the industry.
• Support organizations to develop and deliver innovative, high-impact activities that build capacity and maintain resilience within the Canadian audiovisual (AV) sector.
• Ensure diverse stories and perspectives are authentically represented in Canada’s AV sector.
• Foster new economic opportunities and promote greater equity within the AV sector.
• Encourage all Canadians to appreciate the rich diversity of the population through audiovisual productions that accurately reflect diverse voices and experiences.

Funding Information

• Projects are awarded funding on a selective basis, and the amount awarded to each project will be paid in the form of a non-repayable contribution directly to the Applicant by the CMF.
• The contribution will be up to $300,000 for projects with a national, provincial/territorial, or regional reach and impact. “National reach” is defined as a project with participants from at least three (3) provinces and/or territories.
• The maximum contribution from the CMF will not exceed 75% of the project’s Eligible Costs (defined above).
• Once selected for funding, the Applicant and the CMF will enter into an agreement that will include the details of the Project, key deliverables, and reporting requirements.

Eligible Projects

• Eligible activities for funding include mentorship, training and apprenticeship programs as well as other professional development opportunities. Training or learning opportunities relating to international business development and acquisition of business acumen are also eligible for funding. By supporting these activities, the Changing Narratives Fund aims to provide Diverse Organizations with maximum flexibility and the opportunity to lead and deliver professional development projects of their preference and that best meet the needs of their respective communities. Projects are intended to:
  • Support initiatives that are collaborative in nature (i.e., a cross-section of organizations collaborating on a shared initiative) or that support intersectional communities.
  • Build capacity or create professional development opportunities for audiovisual industry participants identifying as belonging to one or more Diverse Communities.
  • Serve the linear or interactive and immersive digital media industries.
  • Support producers and creators with skills and knowledge to compete in both the domestic and international marketplace.
• ALL projects must include meaningful participation of individuals from Diverse Communities. Projects developed with an intersectional lens while still focusing on the needs of the primary beneficiary community will be prioritized. Components that will be considered eligible for funding include:
  • Mentorship
  • Training
  • Apprenticeship programs
  • Job placements
  • Training or learning opportunities relating to international business development and acquisition of business acumen

Ineligible Projects

• Content development and production
• Projects that are primarily events, panels, exhibitions, showcases or festivals
• Projects that have already launched or meaningfully commenced
• Projects that are primarily research and literature review
• Software, digital products, databases and agency tools
• Content screening, distribution or exhibition activities targeting a public audience
• Student films or projects with youth participants
• Projects aimed primarily at supporting educational or fine arts sectors

Eligible Costs

• Eligible Costs must be related to specific initiatives that are incurred directly for the Project. Such costs may include, but are not limited to, expenses for:
  • Consulting fees and honorariums for mentors, instructors, experts and community leaders
  • Project management and coordination fees
  • Marketing and promotion (max. 10% of the total budget)
  • Travel, accommodation and per diems for participants
  • Travel, accommodation and per diems for educators/workshop facilitators/leaders/organization representatives
  • Dedicated facility and equipment rental
  • Online platform fees for virtual events
  • Administrative expenses (max. 15% of the total budget)
  • Other third-party costs directly related to the project
  • Translation, interpretation, support and accessibility services.
  • Participant stipends/honorariums

Ineligible Costs

• Ineligible Costs may include, but are not limited to, the following:
  • Equipment purchases and purchases of capital assets
  • Taxes that are subject to rebate to the Applicant (such as HST, GST, QST, VAT), Union dues, penalties, fines, pension contributions and any other union-mandated payments
  • Core business/operational expenses (such as staff salaries outside direct project management/coordination)
  • Event merchandise
  • Grant writer fees and expenses
  • Costs for activities already funded by the CMF or other organizations
  • Prizes

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants to the Changing Narratives Fund projects must be:
  • In support of strengthening Diverse Community groups in the Canadian screen-based industries.
  • Canadian owned and controlled non-profit corporations with a primary mandate in the Canadian screen-based sector.
  • Organizations incorporated at the time of application.
  • In good standing (i.e., not in Default) with the CMF per reports and deliverables of past funded projects.

Ineligibility Criteria

• For-profit organizations
• Government, quasi-government or government agencies
• Other funding bodies
• Organizations in poor standing/in default with any CMF department

Application Requirements

• Successful Applicants are required to:
  • Submit a final report. The Final Form Questionnaire and Final Cost Report as well as any deliverables specified in the contract. Deliverables can only be submitted when all activities have concluded and final actual expenditures are calculated.
  • Ensure that participants to projects funded through this program are aware of and consent to the CMF issuing a survey to participants, facilitators and partners.
  • Survey participants of their Project with a link they will receive from the CMF at the end of the program.
  • Provide a list of participants, facilitators and partners after the Project’s finalization.

For more information, visit CMF.