AgriDiversity Program Eligibility Checklist for Non-Profits and Organizations

Many non-profits want to help underrepresented groups in Canadian agriculture, but federal grants often have strict rules. This AgriDiversity Program eligibility checklist helps you see if your organization and project meet the main requirements before you spend time applying. The AgriDiversity Program is managed by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) and supports national and sector-wide projects to build a more inclusive agriculture sector.

AgriDiversity Program: Eligibility Checklist (Non-Profits & Organizations)

Use this checklist to review your eligibility. You should be able to answer yes to each item before starting your application.

1. Your organization is an eligible type

You must be one of these:

A not-for-profit organization
A not-for-profit Indigenous organization, including First Nations, Inuit, or Métis groups
An eligible academic institution

For-profit businesses cannot apply as lead applicants.

2. Your project has a broad reach

Your project must go beyond just one local group or community. AAFC looks for projects that:

Are national in scope or clearly sector-wide
Have strong stakeholder participation or support
Can be carried out across different regions, subsectors, or groups

Projects that help only one organization or a small local audience usually do not qualify.

3. Your organization is a legal entity

Before AAFC can fund you, your organization must:

Be legally incorporated
Have the power to sign legally binding funding agreements

If your non-profit is new, make sure you have your incorporation documents ready before applying.

4. Your activities match eligible AgriDiversity streams

Your project must clearly fit at least one of these activity areas:

Entrepreneurial and business capacity building
Leadership development
Improving involvement and career awareness in agriculture
Strengthening leadership capacity in the sector

These activities must support underrepresented groups in Canadian agriculture, such as women, youth, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and racialized communities.

5. Your funding and budget follow program rules

The AgriDiversity Program uses cost-sharing:

AAFC can fund up to 70% of eligible project costs
Your organization must contribute at least 30%
Total government funding from all sources (federal, provincial, municipal) is usually limited to 85% of eligible costs

Your share can include cash and, sometimes, eligible in-kind support, as stated in your agreement.

Tools like GrantHub’s eligibility matcher can help you filter programs by province and sector and quickly spot cost-share requirements that meet your needs.

6. You understand cost timing and reimbursement rules

Timing is important. According to the latest AAFC guidelines:

Eligible costs must be incurred on or after the official project start date set in your funding agreement
Costs incurred before approval or outside the eligible period will not be reimbursed

Always check the current program guide or contact AAFC to confirm the exact eligible dates. This is a common reason strong projects do not get funded.

7. You are aware of intake status and timelines

As of the most recent AAFC update:

The priority intake closed on May 30, 2024
The program runs until March 31, 2028

A closed intake does not mean the program is cancelled. AAFC may open new intakes if funding is available and priorities allow.

How to Prepare Your Application

Getting ready early can improve your chances. Here are some tips:

Gather all required documents: Make sure your incorporation papers, board resolutions, and budget details are up to date.
Engage stakeholders: Get letters of support from partners, sector groups, or national organizations.
Show clear impact: Explain how your project will help underrepresented groups and reach a broad audience.
Review guidelines: Double-check all program rules on the AAFC website before submitting.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Submitting a local-only project
Projects must have national or sector-wide reach to qualify for AgriDiversity.
Misunderstanding cost-share rules
AAFC does not fund 100% of project costs. Your organization must contribute its share.
Including ineligible pre-project costs
Costs from before the eligible project start date will not be covered.
Weak alignment with underrepresented groups
Your proposal must clearly show who benefits and how you will reduce barriers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is the AgriDiversity Program only for Indigenous organizations?
No. Indigenous organizations are eligible, but so are other not-for-profits and academic institutions that support underrepresented groups in agriculture.

Q: Can a for-profit business partner on a project?
Yes. For-profit organizations can be partners or service providers, but they cannot be the lead applicant.

Q: Is AgriDiversity funding repayable?
No. Funding is provided as a non-repayable contribution if you meet the agreement terms.

Q: Can AgriDiversity funding be combined with provincial grants?
Yes, as long as you stay within the 85% total government funding limit unless otherwise approved.

Q: How much funding can a project receive?
There is no fixed maximum. Funding depends on project size, budget, and available program funds during an intake.

Next Steps

If your organization meets most of these requirements, the AgriDiversity Program could be a good option when the next intake opens. GrantHub tracks federal agriculture funding and monitors intake changes, so you can quickly see when AgriDiversity and similar programs reopen and which ones meet your needs.

See also:

How to Combine Provincial Agriculture Grants with Federal Funding
Is Your Agriculture or Agri-Food Project a Strategic Priority?
Federal Anti-Racism and Narrative Change Grants: Non-Profit Eligibility

GrantHub tracks hundreds of active grant programs across Canada and helps non-profits focus on funding they are actually eligible for.

AgriDiversity Program Eligibility Checklist for Non-Profits and Organizations