Overview
The Community Partnership Fund (“the Fund”) provides financial support to the Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences’ (“the Federation”) member associations in developing or strengthening collaborative partnerships with community organizations through community-engaged knowledge mobilization projects.
This Fund is supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC).
- Value: Up to $5,000 per project
- Duration: For initiatives requiring up to 12 months to complete with extensions subject to Federation approval (up to 24 months)
- Intake: Two annual intakes (fall and spring)
- Matching contribution: Minimum $1,000 cash contribution per project by association, community partner or both
- Application limit: One per application period
- Funding schedule: Up to $1,000 provided upon execution of the funding agreement. The remaining approved funding is provided upon submission and approval of the final report and any required financial documentation.
Purpose
The Fund supports community-engaged knowledge mobilization projects that respond to community-identified or community-validated priorities, create mutual benefit, and strengthen partnerships between Federation member associations and community organizations. To advance the Federation’s commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and decolonization (EDID), the Fund prioritizes projects undertaken with community organizations that are led by, represent, or serve equity-denied communities, and that demonstrate meaningful participation by both partners in project design, implementation, and knowledge sharing.
Description
For the purposes of this Fund, a community partner is an external organization, group, or community-based entity that actively collaborates with the association to identify, develop, deliver, or evaluate the proposed project and that contributes knowledge, expertise, resources, or other support.
Eligible projects may include:
- Community-engaged workshops, forums, or dialogue activities;
- Knowledge mobilization initiatives developed with community partners;
- Resource development and dissemination;
- Pilot projects addressing community-identified needs;
- Partnership-building activities that support sustained collaboration; and
- Other initiatives that advance community-engaged research, knowledge sharing, or community impact.
Eligible community partners may include but are not limited to community-based, non-profit, youth serving, Indigenous, cultural, advocacy, and policy-sector organizations.
Funding supports eligible expenses directly related to approved project activities. Expenses incurred before the funding agreement date, or costs unrelated to the approved project, including indirect or administrative overhead, are not eligible.
Eligibility
To be eligible, an association must:
- Be a Federation member in good standing (a member who has paid their membership fees and whose certificate of registration is not suspended);
- Submit a complete application demonstrating alignment with the Fund's purpose and an identified community priority;
- Demonstrate active collaboration with at least one (1) community partner;
- Provide a signed letter of support from the community partner outlining its participation, role, and contribution; and
- Provide a minimum cash matching contribution of $1,000, provided by the association, community partner, or both. In-kind contributions do not satisfy this requirement.
Evaluation
Applications are assessed based on:
- Alignment with the purpose of the Fund and responsiveness to a community-identified priority;
- Strength of the partnership, including mutual benefit;
- Innovation or transferability of the partnership approach;
- Feasibility of activities, timeline, and budget; and
- Potential for outcomes, impact, and knowledge sharing.
Priority consideration given to projects that demonstrate strong alignment with equity, diversity, inclusion, and decolonization (EDID) objectives including how the project identifies and addresses relevant barriers to participation and supports meaningful engagement with equity-denied communities or first-time applicants.
Applicants are notified of funding decisions following completion of the review process. Funding decisions are final and not subject to appeal. Successful applicants must sign a funding agreement before funds are released.
Funding and payments
Up to $1,000 of approved funding is provided upon signing of the funding agreement, with the balance provided following approval of the final report and supporting documentation. To receive remaining funds, recipients must submit:
- Documentation supporting eligible expenses (receipts);
- Evidence of the required $1,000 cash contribution by the association and/or a partner (invoice, receipt, or financial statement); and
- A final report outlining project activities, outcomes, and lessons learned.
Changes to an approved project, including changes to activities, timelines, community partners, or budget, require prior approval from the Federation.
Funding not used for approved eligible expenses must be returned to the Federation. The Federation may withdraw or recover funding if project activities are not completed within the approved project period, unless an extension has been granted.
Recipients must acknowledge the Federation's support and SSHRC's contribution in public communications and project materials using the acknowledgement language provided by the Federation.
Financial information collected for payment and tax-reporting purposes is used solely for those purposes and handled in accordance with the Federation's privacy policy.
Administration
The Community Partnership Fund is administered by the Federation. Eligible activities, application period, funding limits, and any additional requirements are communicated through the relevant call for applications and program materials. The Federation may modify program guidelines, timelines, or eligibility requirements as needed to support equitable and effective program delivery.
Questions regarding the fund, accessibility requests or application process are directed to the Federation’s Membership team at membership@federationhss.ca.