If your organization works to challenge harmful stereotypes or amplify underrepresented voices, the Changing Narratives Fund may provide funding for your project. This federal fund supports projects that change public narratives through storytelling, media, and community-led cultural activities. The fund is administered through two streams. The stream you apply to depends on your project type and your organization.
The Changing Narratives Fund is a Government of Canada initiative. It supports projects that aim to change how communities are represented in public discourse. The main goal is to reduce systemic racism, discrimination, and social exclusion. The fund achieves this by supporting authentic storytelling and community-led narratives.
There are two distinct programs under this fund:
Changing Narratives Fund – Canadian Heritage stream
Program ID: fca90d51-d8fc-48ca-84dc-a4830923f1bc
Administrator: Department of Canadian Heritage
Jurisdiction: Federal
Status: Open
Changing Narratives Fund – Canada Media Fund stream
Program ID: 86fb35bb-d9dd-47d1-8472-824cc7c1a460
Administrator: Canada Media Fund (CMF)
Jurisdiction: Federal
Status: Open
Apply to the Canadian Heritage stream if your project is community-based or cultural. Apply to the Canada Media Fund stream if your project is media or screen-based.
Eligibility depends on the stream. Both streams focus on non-profit and community-driven work.
You may be eligible if your organization is:
Projects must show how they will change public understanding or narratives. Internal programming alone is not enough.
You may be eligible if you are:
This stream supports professional media projects. The focus is on bringing underrepresented perspectives to wider audiences.
The amount of funding you can receive depends on several factors:
For example, the Canadian Heritage stream offers grants. These grants typically range from $25,000 to $500,000 per project. The exact amount depends on the size and impact of your proposal. The Canada Media Fund stream may support larger media projects. Funding amounts may vary; check the official guidelines for current maximums. Always consult the official guidelines for the most up-to-date information.
Eligible projects differ by stream but often include:
Expenses must be directly tied to delivering the approved project.
See also:
What expenses do arts, culture, and media grants cover?
The application process is stream-specific.
Confirm the right stream
Community-based projects apply through Canadian Heritage. Media projects apply through CMF.
Review the current intake
Deadlines and priorities change. Always rely on the official program page.
Prepare your application
You will need:
Submit through the official portal
Each stream has its own submission system.
GrantHub’s eligibility matcher helps you filter programs by province, sector, and organization type quickly.
Applying under the wrong stream
Media projects submitted to Canadian Heritage are often ruled ineligible.
Vague impact statements
You must explain how your project changes public narratives, not just who it serves.
Ignoring intake priorities
Each intake may prioritize specific communities or themes.
Incomplete budgets
Missing or unclear cost breakdowns are a common reason for rejection.
Q: Who can apply for the Changing Narratives Fund?
Non-profit, cultural, community-based organizations, and eligible Canadian media producers can apply, depending on the stream.
Q: Is the Changing Narratives Fund only for arts organizations?
No. Many projects are arts-based, but community education, research, and media initiatives may also qualify if they focus on narrative change.
Q: When is the deadline to apply?
Deadlines vary by intake and stream. Always check the official program page for current dates.
Q: Can this funding be combined with other grants?
Yes, in many cases. You must disclose all funding sources and ensure there is no duplication of expenses.
Q: Is the funding taxable?
For non-profits, grant funding is generally treated as project revenue and must be reported according to your organization’s accounting rules.
GrantHub tracks hundreds of active grant programs across Canada. Check which ones match your business or organization profile.
The Changing Narratives Fund is competitive, but well-aligned projects have a real chance of success. Start by confirming the right stream and reviewing the current intake priorities. From there, GrantHub can help you find complementary funding programs that support arts, culture, media, and community impact across Canada.
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