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Canada LIFTs Program – Eligibility Criteria

Applicants who meet all of the requirements below are invited to apply.

 

✔ Organization

Your organization may be eligible if you:

  • Are a registered Canadian nonprofit or charity
  • Meet the definition of a Small or Medium-Sized Organization (SMO), with your organization’s most recent financial statements showing:
    • Consolidated revenue equal to or less than $10 million, and
    • Annual overseas expenditures in development assistance not exceeding $2 million (i.e. projects administered with the promotion of the economic development and welfare of developing countries as their main objective).
  • Have been incorporated in Canada for at least 3 years (can provide proof of legal status (e.g. a letter of incorporation), and a Canada Revenue Agency business number or registered charity number.
  • Can provide 3 years of financial statements (audited preferred but not required)
  • Demonstrate financial, ethical, and operational capacity to manage funds responsibly

 

✔ Project Eligibility

Your project may be eligible if you:

  • Work in international cooperation, global solidarity, or eligible public engagement
  • Propose activities in ODA-eligible countries (or focus on eligible public engagement in Canada)
  • Are community-informed and partner-led, with clear roles for partners and participants
  • Align with LIFT values, including localization, equity, learning, and Do No Harm
  • Promote gender equality and inclusion, addressing barriers and power imbalances
  • Comply with and uphold good practices in environmental, ethical, and human rights standards

 

✔ Process

  • Complete registration by the deadline
  • Submit one complete application only, by the deadline
  • Apply in English or French
  • Applicants allowed 1 active project at a time

 

Funding Parameters for

Catalyst Fund

  • Funding request for $10,000–$50,000/year (maximum $150,000)
  • Project length: 1 year (possibility of renewal)
  • Possibility for renewal
  • Budget submitted in Canadian dollars using the LIFT template
  • One application per organization

Not eligible

  • Projects with construction: (e.g. building a new structure or refurbishing an existing structure – even if funded outside of LIFT)

Funding Parameters for

Momentum Fund

  • Funding request for $50,001–$200,000/year (maximum $400,000)
  • Project length: 1 year (possibility of renewal)
  • Budget submitted in Canadian dollars using the LIFT template
  • Apply for or have only one active LIFT fund at a time
  • Must provide 5% matching contribution
  • May include construction
  • One application per organization

Funding Parameters for

Together Fund

  • Funding request for $100,001 - $200,000/year (maximum $600,000)
  • Project length: 1–4 years (multi-year funding will be approved)
  • Budget submitted in Canadian dollars using the LIFT template
  • Apply for or have only one active LIFT fund at a time
  • Must provide 100% matching funds
  • May include construction
  • One application per organization
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