Oshki Wupoowane | The Blanket Fund

ᐅᔾᑭ :ᐊᐳᐧᐃᒼ

In September 2022, DWF and HBF launched Oshki Wupoowane | The Blanket Fund. Moving forward, 100 percent of the net proceeds from the sale of all HBC Point Blankets will go to Indigenous Peoples.

The Blanket Fund will provide support for Indigenous cultural, artistic, and educational activities. Offered through two grant streams (Reconciliation Action Grants and Capacity Building Grants), The Blanket Fund can be accessed by both grassroots Indigenous communities and organizations, and by Indigenous individuals undertaking related initiatives.

RECONCILIATION ACTION GRANTS

Overview

$1,500-$15,000 

Applications are accepted on a quarterly basis. Apply today.

The Reconciliation Action grants stream will support reconciliation activities, events, and initiatives in communities that contribute to cultural revitalization, elevate Indigenous culture, languages, and traditions, increase understanding between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples, or other grassroots initiatives that move reconciliation forward.

Download the Reconciliation Action Grant Application Guidelines

If you have any questions or need any support submitting your application, please contact us at fund@downiewenjack.ca or 1-833-666-2414 ext. 13. Arrangements can be made to submit your application by phone, video, fax, mail (handwritten or printed) or in a different format.

Apply Online

Who can apply?

Indigenous educators, cultural creators, community leaders, artists, Elders, youth, and others are encouraged to apply. Non-Indigenous individuals and organizations can apply, as long as all funds received go to Indigenous people, communities, or organizations (i.e., a non-Indigenous school/educator can apply for funding to bring an Indigenous Elder to speak to the school or a class).

All funds must be spent supporting an Indigenous-led activity, event, or initiative. This stream does not fund ongoing programs or projects. It is a one-time grant. 

Non-registered charities will act as an extension of DWF for legal purposes to deliver reconciliation programming, which will require a trustee agreement. DWF will provide the documentation to ensure compliance with CRA regulations.

If you have additional questions about your eligibility, please email us at fund@downiewenjack.ca or call 1-833-666-2414 ext. 13. 

Ineligible Organizations 

• Individuals (individuals may apply if the activity, event, or initiative benefits Indigenous people and communities)
• For-profit organizations
• Business non-profit institutions, including business associations, chambers of commerce, etc.
• Provincial/territorial entities for purposes other than the intention of the grant (Indigenous cultural, artistic, and educational activities)
• Municipalities and their entities for purposes other than the intention of the grant (Indigenous cultural, artistic, and educational activities)
• Government of Canada and federal entities

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