Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities — National or Regional Component
Highlights
This program is designed to help your business create a more inclusive and accessible workplace. By applying, you can receive up to $15,000,000 in funding over three years. This financing can support various activities, such as coaching, training, and human resources support, to help you diversify your workforce by hiring and retaining persons with disabilities.
What You Get:
- Up to $15,000,000 in funding
- Support for creating inclusive workplaces
- Access to innovative programming for underserved individuals
Benefits:
- Wage subsidies to encourage hiring
- Skills development for employees
- Career advancement opportunities for persons with disabilities
This funding is more advantageous than other financing options because it is backed by the government and focuses on long-term inclusivity and accessibility. The application process is straightforward, and your business is already eligible. By participating, you will not only enhance your workforce but also contribute to a more inclusive society.
Financing Details
Type of Financing: Grant
Eligible Expenses:
- Pre-employment and employability supports
- Job search supports
- Work experience
- Self-employment assistance
- Wage subsidies
- Skills development
- Career advancement supports
- Employer engagement and awareness initiatives
Ineligible Expenses:
- Fundraising activities
- Canada Revenue Agency or payroll penalties
- Parking tickets, fines, or penalties
- Entertainment costs
- Depreciation on fixed assets
- Board membership fees
- Construction of buildings or purchase of land/buildings
- Purchase of motor vehicles
- Legal fees and court awards for inappropriate dismissal or other illegal activity
- Membership fees for private clubs (e.g., golf clubs, gyms) unless part of existing non-monetary staff salary bonuses if not originally negotiated into the agreement
- Purchase of alcoholic beverages or illegal substances
- Unreasonable gifts or payments for recognition
Fees:
- No fees are associated with this grant program.
Qualifications
- Must be one of the following types of organizations:
- Not-for-profit organizations
- For-profit organizations (if the activity is non-commercial, not intended to generate profit, and supports program priorities and objectives)
- Municipal governments
- Educational institutions (including post-secondary institutions), school boards
- Indigenous organizations (including band councils, tribal councils, and self-government entities)
- Provincial and territorial governments, institutions, agencies, and Crown Corporations with approval from the Minister
- Quebec organizations may apply for funding through the National Component only.
- Must meet the following project criteria:
- Maximum duration of 3 years (36 consecutive months)
- Maximum funding request of $15,000,000 total
- For National Component: Project activities must be delivered in 3 or more provinces or territories
- For Regional Component: Project activities must be delivered in 1 or 2 provinces or territories
Must clearly indicate the stream(s) under which each project activity is proposed.
Disqualifications:
- Quebec organizations cannot apply for the Regional Component due to the Canada-Quebec Agreement.
- Any entity subject to the Act respecting the Ministère du Conseil exécutif (M-30) must obtain authorization before signing any agreement with the Government of Canada.
Description
This program offers your business a chance to receive up to $15,000,000 in funding for projects that support disability inclusion and accessibility in employment. This funding can be used for various activities such as coaching, training, and human resources support to help create inclusive workplaces.
Key benefits for your business:
- Up to $15,000,000 in funding for projects lasting up to 3 years.
- Support for creating inclusive workplaces, including coaching, training, and human resources assistance.
- Innovative programming to help persons with disabilities prepare for, find, and keep good jobs or become self-employed.
This funding can help your business address both new and long-standing labor market barriers for persons with disabilities, promoting an inclusive recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Program Steps
Gather Supporting Documents and Information:
- Completed Application for Funding form (EMP5523)
- Proof of organization’s type and status (e.g., 15-digit Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) registration number, provincial/territorial corporation number, or federal corporation number)
- Budget Detail Template (BDT)
Create Your Grants and Contributions Online Services (GCOS) Account:
- GCOS allows you to apply, track your application status, sign agreements, manage active projects, submit supporting documents, and review past projects.
Read the Applicant Guide:
- This guide includes details for each question of the online form to ensure you complete it correctly.
Download and Complete the Budget Detail Template (BDT):
- Save the Budget Detail Template on your computer and fill it out. You will need to upload this when you apply online.
Submit Your Online Application:
- Use your GCOS account to submit your application. Ensure you upload all required documents, including the completed Budget Detail Template.
Print and Sign the Signature Pages:
- If applying by email or mail, print and sign the signature pages of your application form.
Send Your Complete Application Package:
- If applying by email or mail, send your complete application package to the ESDC office closest to your organization’s head office. Ensure it is date-stamped no later than the application deadline.
Review and Respond to Any Requests for Additional Information:
- ESDC may contact you to request any missing mandatory information. Respond within 5 business days to avoid delays in the assessment of your application.
Wait for Confirmation of Receipt:
- You will receive an automatic confirmation of receipt if you apply online or by email. If you apply by mail, you will receive a confirmation of receipt by email within 14 calendar days from the end of the Call for Proposals (CFP).
Prepare for Funding Decision:
- ESDC expects to make funding decisions between November and December. Be ready to discuss final terms if your application is approved.