Community Projects

Community Projects Overview

The purpose of Community Projects is to offer Japanese Canadian Organizations (Category 1), Non-Japanese Canadian Organizations (Category 2) and Unincorporated Japanese Canadian Groups (Category 3) the opportunity to create community-led projects that promote Japanese or Japanese Canadian culture or enable Japanese Canadians to connect with one another, with their culture(s) and/or identity. These grants may assist the creation or sustaining of activities, events and projects of this nature.

Legacy Community Projects Overview

The purpose of Legacy Community Projects is to offer Japanese Canadian Organizations (Category 1) and Non-Japanese Canadian Organizations (Category 2) the opportunity to create tangible legacy projects that permanently share or create knowledge and help tell the story of the pre-war, wartime, and postwar experiences of Japanese Canadians from BC.These projects deliver outputs that may be experienced inside and outside of the Japanese Canadian community. Qualified applicants with the capacity to manage the project and develop interpretative plans are encouraged to apply.

Note to applicants: the Community Fund 2 – Legacy Community Projects application has undergone revisions that will clarify submission requirements for applicants and allow for a better application and assessment process. If you have downloaded the worksheet and guidelines prior to October 2, please download the new ones as they have been extensively revised and updated.

COMMUNITY FUND 2 DATES (subject to change)
Applications open August 15, 2024
Deadline for applications October 31, 2024
Application results out January 6, 2025
Community Projects must be completed by December 31, 2025
Legacy Community Projects must be completed by December 31, 2026

COMMUNITY FUND 1 DATES
Applications open July 1, 2023
Deadline for applications October 31, 2023
Application results out January 15, 2024
Projects must be completed by December 31, 2024

Download Community Project Guidelines Download Legacy Community Project Guidelines

GLOSSARY

Descendant

A living person of Japanese Canadian descent whose family was directly impacted by BC Government actions in the 1940s and whose family experience in BC predates April 1, 1949. A Descendant can be living outside of BC.

Financial Stewardship

The applicant will assume the financial responsibility for the grant and must be prepared to provide banking information as needed at the time the grant agreement is signed in order to receive funding.

Japanese Canadian

A Canadian citizen of Japanese ancestry or a person of Japanese ancestry who has permanent resident or landed immigrant status in Canada. Children adopted by Japanese Canadian families as well as foster children are also considered to be Japanese Canadians for the purposes of this work.

Japanese Canadian Organization

A not-for-profit organization whose primary purpose is to develop and support the Japanese Canadian community, provide services benefiting Japanese Canadians or enhance and encourage Japanese or Japanese Canadian cultural activities. It must have an established constitution and by-laws and have been incorporated for at least two years. A Japanese Canadian Organization can also be incorporated under a provincial or federal corporations Act without the distinction of a not-for-profit designation, as long as the primary focus of the organization satisfies the above definition.

Japanese Cultural Activity

Traditional and contemporary Japanese cultural practices or activities that originated in or have roots in Japan and enhance the appreciation for and promote Japanese and/or Japanese Canadian culture. (Examples include but are not limited to: sports such as martial arts, cuisine, bonsai, calligraphy, ikebana, origami, taiko, tea ceremony, anime, manga, etc.)

Non-Japanese Canadian Organization

The Non-JC Organization is a not-for-profit organization with a project mandate that clearly adds to the legacy of the Japanese Canadian pre-war history benefiting cultural, educational, community building, or knowledge creation and mobilization. Educational institutions and museums are also eligible to apply. The project must demonstrate a relevance to the Japanese Canadian community. The organization must have an established constitution and by-laws and have been incorporated for at least two years.

Not for Profit Organization

For the purposes of this Community Fund, a not for profit corporation is incorporated federally or provincially in Canada.

Survivor

A living person of Japanese descent born prior to April 1, 1949 who was directly impacted by BC Government actions in the 1940s. Survivors include persons who were not displaced but were living in BC, and persons who, after their families left BC, were born prior to April 1, 1949, which was the day Japanese Canadians were given full voting rights and the legal restrictions used to control the movement of Japanese Canadians were removed.

Unincorporated Japanese Canadian Group

An Unincorporated Japanese Canadian Group consists of at least 10 members, which could include potential participants in the group’s activities. Its membership must include Canadians of Japanese descent. Its activities offer Japanese Canadians opportunities to connect with one another, with their culture(s) and/or identity.

WHO CAN APPLY

CATEGORY 1 | Japanese Canadian Organization

A Japanese Canadian Organization is a not-for-profit organization whose primary purpose is to develop and support the Japanese Canadian community, provide services benefiting Japanese Canadians or enhance and encourage Japanese or Japanese Canadian cultural activities. It must have an established constitution and by-laws and should have been incorporated for at least two years. A Japanese Canadian Organization can also be incorporated under a provincial or federal corporations Act without the distinction of a not-for-profit designation, as long as the primary focus of the organization satisfies the above definition.

CATEGORY 2 | Non-Japanese Canadian Organization

A Non-Japanese Canadian Organization must satisfy the following requirements:

It is a not-for-profit organization with a project mandate that clearly adds to the legacy of Japanese Canadian history benefiting cultural, educational, community building, or knowledge creation and mobilization. Educational institutions, museums, municipalities, and community associations are examples of eligible applicants. The project must demonstrate a relevance to the Japanese Canadian community and have permanence in its purpose. The organization must have an established constitution and by-laws and have been incorporated for at least two years.
The project must demonstrate a relevance to the Japanese Canadian community.
The organization must have an established constitution and by-laws and have been incorporated for at least two years.

CATEGORY 3 | Unincorporated Japanese Canadian Group

An Unincorporated Japanese Canadian Group must meet the following requirements:

It consists of at least 10 members, which could include active participants in the group’s activities.
Its membership must include Canadians of Japanese descent.
Its activities offer Japanese Canadians opportunities to connect with one another, with their culture(s) and/or identity.
The group has the relevant experience to manage the project that they are proposing to create.
If a subgroup (such as a volunteer group or auxiliary) falls under the umbrella of a larger organization, the group must be endorsed in writing by their larger organization.

Legacy Community Projects

Category 1 | Japanese Canadian Organization

A Japanese Canadian Organization can be either

• a not-for-profit organization, or

• an organization incorporated under a provincial corporations Act without the distinction of a not-for-profit designation whose primary purpose is to develop and support the Japanese Canadian community, provide services benefiting Japanese Canadians and/or enhance and encourage Japanese Canadian or Japanese cultural activities.

The organization must have an established constitution and by-laws and have been incorporated for at least two years.

Category 2 | Non-Japanese Canadian Organization

A Non-Japanese Canadian Organization must satisfy the following requirements:

• It is a not-for-profit organization with a project mandate that clearly adds to the legacy of Japanese Canadian history benefiting cultural, educational, community building, or knowledge creation and mobilization. Educational institutions, museums, municipalities, and community associations, are examples of eligible applicants. The project must demonstrate a relevance to the Japanese Canadian community and have permanence in its purpose. The organization must have an established constitution and by-laws and have been incorporated for at least two years.

• The project must demonstrate a relevance to the Japanese Canadian community.

• The organization must have an established constitution and by-laws and have been incorporated for at least two years.

The applicant must demonstrate that they have relevant experience in producing projects of the proposed project scope and the capacity to manage the project across a well developed timeline and with a very clearly developed budget. The applicant must demonstrate that they have qualified personnel identified to manage the project they are proposing.

WHAT CAN BE FUNDED

CATEGORIES 1, 2 AND 3

Programs or services that benefit Japanese Canadians or cultural activities that promote Japanese or Japanese Canadian culture in Canada.
Projects which may have fit in streams that are now closed could be considered for funding in Community Projects. Examples include Intergenerational wellness gatherings, seniors wellness group projects, sports teams, and arts collaborations, which are all encouraged to apply.
Eligible project costs that may include: travel, accommodation, honoraria, contract expenses for human resources, materials, supplies and relevant costs.
Administrative costs for each project, which must not exceed 20% of the total grant.
Projects that meet the requirement to serve the Japanese Canadian community but could also serve other communities.
Projects that can be completed by December 31, 2025.

Legacy Community Projects

CATEGORIES 1 AND 2

• Tangible legacy projects that permanently share or create knowledge and help tell the story of the pre-war, wartime, and postwar experiences of Japanese Canadians from BC. These projects deliver outputs that may be experienced inside and outside of the Japanese Canadian community. Qualified applicants with the capacity to manage the project and develop interpretative plans are encouraged to apply.

• Eligible project costs that may include: research, contract expenses for human resources, materials & equipment, supplies, travel, accommodation, honoraria, and other relevant costs.

• Administrative costs for each project, which must not exceed 20% of the total grant.

• Projects that meet the requirement to serve the Japanese Canadian community but could also serve other communities.

• Projects that can be completed by December 31, 2026.

WHAT WILL NOT BE FUNDED

Applications from two organizations partnering on the same project with each organization requesting funds for that project.
Two applications for the same activity by the same organization in the same intake period.
Applications from organizations and groups that do not have the primary purpose of promoting Japanese or Japanese Canadian cultural activities and/or serving or supporting the Japanese Canadian community.
Ordinary operational activities including ongoing operations and maintenance.
Family reunions
Expenses for debt management, fundraising projects, prizes, ongoing salaries or wages, endowment or sustaining funds, scholarships (see Scholarships).
Capital purchases.
Projects that have received NAJC funding through the Capacity Building Program, Young Leaders Fund, Cultural Development Fund or Endowment Fund.
Projects that have received other funds from the Community Fund within the current year.
Projects with political interest and/or affiliations.
Projects outside of Canada.
Projects that are already complete.

Legacy Community Projects

• Applications from two organizations partnering on the same project with each organization requesting funds for that project.

• Two applications for the same activity by the same organization in the same intake period.

• Ordinary operational activities including ongoing operations and maintenance.

• Expenses for debt management, fundraising projects, prizes, ongoing salaries or wages, endowment or sustaining funds, scholarships.

• Capital purchases.other than equipment necessary for the project.

• Projects that have received NAJC funding through the Capacity Building Program, Young Leaders Fund, Cultural Development Fund or Endowment Fund.

• Projects that have received other funds from the Community Fund in this stream within the current year.

• Projects with political interest and/or affiliations.

• Projects outside of Canada.

• Projects that are already complete.

FUNDING REQUESTS

The grant application should be for a stand-alone project. Applicants may have other sources of funding but those should be confirmed at the time of the application.
Depending on the number and quality of grants, an application may receive only partial funding. Applicants should indicate in their application whether their project can be modified if a smaller award is given.

Category 1 | Japanese Canadian Organization

Funding for up to $20,000 per project.
A Japanese Canadian Organization can apply for only one project grant.

Category 2 | Non-Japanese Canadian Organization

Funding for up to $20,000 per project.
A Non-Japanese Canadian Organization can apply for only one project grant.

Category 3 | Unincorporated Japanese Canadian Group

Funding of up to $10,000 per project.
An Unincorporated Japanese Canadian group can apply for only one project grant.

Legacy Community Projects

• The grant application should be for a stand-alone project. Applicants may have other sources of funding but those should be confirmed at the time of the application.

Category 1 | Japanese Canadian Organization

• Funding of up to $500,000 per project.

• A Japanese Canadian Organization can apply for only one project grant.

Category 2 | Non-Japanese Canadian Organization

• Funding of up to $500,000 per project.

• A Non-Japanese Canadian Organization can apply for only one project grant.

WHAT IS NEEDED FOR THE APPLICATION

CATEGORIES 1, 2 AND 3

NOTE: Applicants are responsible for submitting a complete application. The JCLS will NOT contact applicants to address errors or missing requirements, other than as required to determine eligibility. Eligible applications are assessed as submitted.

Applicants must create a user account to access the application form that will be submitted through the online application system.
Applicants must complete the following information, including longer answers as required:
1. Description of the organization or group, including its mission statement, a brief history of the organization or group, and current activities. Please highlight services to the Japanese Canadian community. (Approximately 300 words.)
2. Description of project, including the activity and its benefit to the Japanese Canadian community. (Maximum 3 pages/1000 words.)
3. Balanced budget showing projected sources of funding and expenses (expenses that comprise 10% or more of the budget must provide the breakdown/rationale for estimates).
4. If project costs exceed the maximum possible grant, a list of confirmed additional sources of funding must also accompany this budget.
5. List of key personnel (if known) with a short description of the expertise/experience they bring to the project.

Categories 1 and 2 | Japanese Canadian Corporations and Non-Japanese Canadian Corporations

Applicants from Categories 1 and 2 must provide:

A copy of their Certificate of Incorporation
The most recent financial statements from the last two years.

Category 3 | Unincorporated Japanese Canadian Groups

Unincorporated Japanese Canadian Groups must provide:

Confirmation of banking arrangements or financial stewardship
If applicable, letter of endorsement from the associated organization.

Legacy Community Projects

1. Applicants must create a user account to access the application form that will be submitted through the online application system.

2. Applicants must complete the following information, including longer answers as required:

a. Description of the organization or group, including its mission statement, a brief history of the organization or group, and current activities. Please highlight services provided to the Japanese Canadian community. In the case of Non-Japanese Canadian Organizations, describe the organization’s primary activities and how the proposed project mandate fits within the organization’s activities and goals.

b. The name that you wish this project to be referred to for grant management and public recognition purposes along with a short one-sentence description of the project to be used for grant management and public recognition purposes.

c. Description of your project, including the activity(ies), the intended outcomes, and the enduring benefit to the legacy of pre-war Japanese Canadians (ie: in the form of a heritage site, knowledge output, permanent exhibit, public space, etc).)

d. A detailed Project Timeline including initiative start/end dates, dependencies, milestones and who is responsible for each task.

e. A Project Budget Description to provide clarity to the budget, describing project budget components that are required to produce your project and provide a short rationale/description for each. The project must include a contingency in the budget to cover unforeseen costs. It is important to note that Legacy Community Projects funding does not support on-going staffing, programming and operations costs of organizations.

f. Description of the organization’s internal capacity and expertise to manage and execute the project, as well as key personnel.

g. Balanced budget showing expenses (expenses that comprise 10% or more of the budget must provide the breakdown/rationale for estimates). For contractors required for the project, two quotes must be provided. The budget is integrated into the online application form

h. If project costs exceed the maximum possible grant, a list of confirmed additional sources of funding must also accompany this budget.

Japanese Canadian Corporations and Non-Japanese Canadian Corporations must provide:

a. A copy of their Certificate of Incorporation

b. The most recent financial statements from the last two years.

ASSESSMENT PROCESS

An assessment team consisting of Japanese Canadian community members with a depth of knowledge of the Japanese Canadian community, Japanese and/or Japanese Canadian culture and community-led programming will be established through the JCLS.
The following process will be used to evaluate every application:
1. The assessment team develops a rubric prior to having access to any applications. The rubric is approved by the Advisory Committee.
2. The JCLS informs each applicant upon receipt of application and JCLS Community Fund program staff review the applications for eligibility.
3. The assessment committee evaluates eligible applications to determine whether the applicants should be funded and the level of funding for successful applicants.
4. The assessment committee recommends applicants to the JCLS, which makes the final approvals.
5. The JCLS informs each applicant if they are successful or unsuccessful in their application.
All decisions of the JCLS and assessment committee are final.

NOTIFICATION

Decisions will be made by the JCLS and the assessment committee within four to six weeks of the application deadline. Notification will be sent via the online system to the contact linked to the online application. Results cannot be requested in advance.
Applicants should ensure the email address community@jclegacies.com is on their safe sender list and applicants should check their spam folders on a regular basis following their submission of application.

PAYMENT OF GRANTS

Awards will be paid in three instalments: 50% upon receipt of a signed grant agreement; 40% upon receipt of an interim progress report on the project; and a final payment of 10% upon receipt of a final report detailing activities and project outcomes.
If the applicant’s project changes, recipients must contact the JCLS office (in writing) as soon as possible to discuss impact on the project and to request permission for the changes.
The JCLS reserves the right to suspend payments if the recipient:
1. does not carry out their planned project. Should the project not proceed, the initial instalment must be refunded to the JCLS;
2. makes major changes to the planned project without the approval of the JCLS;
3. fails to comply with the terms of the grant, including submission of the final report.

REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

In the case of Community Projects, a final report must be submitted within 30 days of the completion of the project for which funding has been provided.
In the case of Legacy Community Projects, recipients will submit interim and final reports and must provide receipts. In addition, quarterly reports will be submitted by all grant recipients every three months.
Instructions on submitting final reports will be given to successful applicants.
The requirement for a final report will be part of the grant agreement.
Future applications to the JCLS will be ineligible if reporting requirements on prior grants are not met.

Grant Application

Supporting community-led projects that promote Japanese or Japanese Canadian culture or opportunities for Japanese Canadians to connect with each other and/or their culture or identity.

Funding of up to $20,000 per application.

Up to $20,000 for Japanese Canadian Organizations and Non-Japanese Canadian Organizations. Up to $10,000 for Unincorporated Japanese Canadian Groups.

Grant is closed for Applications

More Information

Grant Application

Legacy Community Projects

Funding of up to $500,000 per application per organization.

Grant is closed for Applications

More Information

CONFIDENTIALITY

The collection, use and disclosure of personal information are subject to the privacy provisions of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (BC). Personal information will be shared in confidence with members of the assessment committee. The names and locations of successful applicants may be published, along with the amount of the award, in the Annual Report of the JCLS as well as in various communications and promotional vehicles thereof. Social Insurance Numbers are provided to Canada Revenue Agency through the issuance of T4As.

RECOGNITION OF ASSISTANCE

In recognition of funding, the JCLS will provide a toolkit for grant recipients.

AMENDMENT OF GUIDELINES

These guidelines may be amended by the JCLS from time to time and applicants should ensure that their applications comply with the most recent version of the guidelines.

THIS VERSION OF THE GUIDELINES IS DATED AUGUST 15, 2024.

CONTACT INFORMATION

If you have any questions after reading these Program Application Guidelines and the Frequently Asked Questions, please contact the JCLS: community@jclegacies.com.

Any general inquiries to the JCLS Project Office can be directed to: info@jclegacies.com.

CONFIDENTIALITY

RECOGNITION OF ASSISTANCE

In recognition of funding, the JCLS will provide a toolkit for grant recipients.

AMENDMENT OF GUIDELINES

These guidelines may be amended by the JCLS from time to time and applicants should ensure that their applications comply with the most recent version of the guidelines.

THIS VERSION OF THE GUIDELINES IS DATED AUGUST 15, 2024.

CONTACT INFORMATION

If you have any questions after reading these Program Application Guidelines and the Frequently Asked Questions, please contact the JCLS: community@jclegacies.com.

Any general inquiries to the JCLS Project Office can be directed to: info@jclegacies.com.