FAQ

Canada LIFTs is a new multi-stream funding and learning program designed to support transformative, community-led international cooperation by Canadian small and medium-sized organizations (SMOs) and their partners.

Canada LIFTs pairs flexible funding with practical resources, peer connection, and learning supports. Learn more about the three current streams of Canada LIFTs here.

Canada LIFTs funding streams are being launched in phases: Additional intakes for each of the above streams announced on a regular basis.

Over the whole program we plan to distribute $8.5M through Catalyst grants. In the first intake (2026) we expect to distribute between $1.5M to $2M. The number of grants depends on how many we fund at the lower amounts vs higher amounts. Possibly between 40-65 grants.

We expect to have our next Catalyst intake in 2027. A calendar will be
shared later this year

There is no concept note stage for the Canada LIFTs Catalyst Fund. The process includes registration followed by a full application.

Three distinct names and email addresses can be tied to the application. These are the main contact, signatory, and international partner.

Our application review process aims for a balanced portfolio across themes, partner countries and regions, including in Canada.

To apply, an organization must:

• Be a Canadian registered charity or non-profit, registered federally or provincially
• Have consolidated annual revenue of $10 million or less
• Have annual overseas development assistance expenditures of $2 million or less
• Be incorporated in Canada for at least three years
• Provide three years of financial statements (audited preferred, not required)
• Demonstrate financial, ethical, and operational capacity to manage funds responsibly

You are not eligible if:

• you are a post-secondary institution or affiliated (meaning your registration number is the same as the university)
• you are a for profit entity

Check the specific fund you are interested in for parameters related to Global; Affairs Canada

Yes. Diaspora-led, Indigenous, and First Nations–led organizations are encouraged to apply, provided they meet the general Canadian SMO eligibility criteria.

Universities and colleges are not eligible as lead applicants.

University-affiliated organizations may be eligible if they independently meet Canadian SMO eligibility requirements.

Lead applicants must meet Canadian SMO eligibility requirements.

Non-Canadian organizations are key partners for all international projects.

The Canada LIFT's program might not be well aigned for your organization. We support Canadian implenting organizations and their international partners.

No, not for this cohort, but you might be able to apply in future

The Canadian organization needs to be the lead applicant. If the project is selected they will be responsible for signing the contract.

Yes. Eligibility details are noted within each funding stream on the website.

No. However, the councils are a great way to connect with resources and others in the sector, so we encourage you to connect with them to learn more.

Matching requirements vary by stream:

• Canada LIFTs Catalyst Fund: No matching required
• Canada LIFTs Momentum Fund: 5% matching required
• Canada LIFTs Together Fund: 1:1 (100%) matching required
  • eg. If SMO contributes $200,000, Canada LIFTs will contribute $200,000 for a $400,000 project.

Organizations should confirm stream-specific requirements before applying. This information is on the website.

• Momentum Fund – of the 5% matching, 75% minimum needs to be in cash Up to 25% can be in-kind.  Matching funding must be raised at the time of signing the contract.  

• Together Fund– of the 100% matching, 75% minimum needs to be in cash. Up to 25% can be in-kind.  First year of funding must be raised at the time of signing the contract.

• Matched funds cannot be from Global Affairs Canada/Government of Canada. However it can come from partner organizations or other national governments. 

Funding is intended to fund a 12-month project (not necessarily calendar year). Or if your project period is 10 months then it would be for 10 months.

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).

We would like to see the administrative costs and receipts are required. The 12% is the maximum amount.

Volunteer hours should be entered in Canadian employees/other employees. Please provide detailed information for each position including reasonable rate and hours.

Use your best judgement – subcontractor & travel costs should be included in those specific categories (Travel, subcontractors).

Do your independent contractors only/mainly work for you? If so, they are deemed employees and can be entered as Canadian other employees. Please provided detailed info for each position in the budget. There is no flex in the 20% subcontractor total.

No contingencies. Budget should be allocated into specific categories with details.

We ask for your organization's Financial Statements (preferably audited, but not required) for the last 2 years. These are also referred to as a Statement of Financial Position (also referred to as Balance Sheet) and Income Statement (also known as Profit and Loss Statement).

Construction is capped at 20%. It can be eligible but the 20% project cap doesn’t change with the ownership being with the international partner.

All Canada LIFTs projects should have an overarching goal of poverty eradication or reduction and the promotion or advancement of gender equality, which can be done in many ways.

Canada LIFTs is therefore not limited to specific thematic areas or project type. We are interested in understanding what the community priorities are. Eligible projects may include (but are not limited to):

• Gender equality
• Climate and environment
• Education
• Health
• Governance
• Public engagement

Projects must align with Canada LIFTs values, including community-centred approaches, localization, equity, and ethical practice.

Yes. Public engagement activities in Canada are eligible and may form part of — or in some cases the primary focus of — a Canada LIFTs project.

Environmental and climate-related projects are eligible.

Construction or renovation eligibility depends on the stream:

• Under the Canada LIFTs Catalyst Fund, construction and refurbishment projects are not eligible.
• Other streams (Momentum or Together) may permit construction, subject to stream-specific parameters.

Yes. All Canada LIFTs projects (excluding public engagement-only projects based in Canada) must be undertaken in ODA (Overseas Development Assistance) eligible countries: ODA recipients: countries, territories, and international organisations | OECD

Your project does not need to run for a full year.

Yes, however one Canadian SMO must be the main contact, applicant and contract holder.

The terms ‘international partner’ and ‘local partner’ are used throughout the application and our resources. They refer to the same organization: the international partner that is locally based in the country where the project will be implemented.

Yes, private sector international partners are acceptable. And while multiple partners are acceptable, we request that one partner complete the international partner section, and your other partners be mentioned in the "People" section of your application.

Applications will be reviewed in English and French. International partners may receive support from their Canadian partner (e.g., translation or copying/pasting content). However, Canadian partners should not complete responses on behalf of international partners.

Canada LIFTs does not prescribe or keep a list of recommednded international partners. We trust that the SMOs know their context and local partners best.

You need an international partner to apply for the grant as well as to adminsiter a signficant part of the fund.

Yes you can, but you won’t be able to receive funding from 2 streams at the same time. We recommend you select the fund that best responds to your project needs.

Canada LIFTs plans on having multiple intakes over the next 5 years. Later this year, we will have a public calendar outlining the timing.

Organizations are only permitted to submit one application per stream per intake.

Organizations may apply to other streams and intakes over time but may hold only one active Canada LIFTs funded project at a time.

Yes, however one Canadian SMO must be the main contact, applicant and contract holder.

There are no themes, we would like to know what the community is prioritizing to address. Project eligibility speaks to community-led, gender equality projects. Please review in more detail on the website.

For Momentum, please submit for 1 year. For Together you can submit for 3 years.

Canada LIFTs goes beyond funding and includes:

• Learning resources
• Peer connection
• Communities of practice
• Webinars
• Accompaniment and technical support (stream-dependent)

The February 18, 2026 launch webinar provided an overview of program design, and additional learning sessions are expected.

If you have registered to apply for a fund, you will be emailed with information regarding a webinar to support the application process once the application process for that fund has been opened. You must register to attend this webinar. All those who register for the webinar will also have access to the recording of the webinar.

Yes, webinars will be planned for each funding stream and call. Details for these will be announced on the Canada LIFTs webpage and via email.

The webinars will be recorded and saved on the Canada LIFTs website.

Yes. At this stage, registration for the Momentum and Together Funds is simply creating a Fluxx account and accessing the portal.

The Survey Monkey registration process was only for the Catalyst Fund, and this has since closed.

While completing the application, the system shouldn't time out while you're still active in the application. We highly encourage consistent saving as the system does not autosave. Longer periods of inactivity within the system may result in lost work.

Three distinct names and email addresses can be tied to the application. These are the main contact, signatory, and international partner.

Applicants cannot delete applications in the Fluxx system. Please reach out to the Canada LIFTs team for technical support at info@icn-lift.ca.

The Canada LIFTs Program is in development. We expect that reporting requirements will be designed to be:

• Proportionate to the amount/size of funding
• Learning-focused
• Primarily narrative in nature
• Supported by a limited set of common indicators

All projects must:

• Support equal opportunities for people of all genders and make sure
  everyone feels included.
• Recognize and address unfair power dynamics and barriers that prevent
  some people from participating fully.
• Follow a strong Do No Harm approach, making sure actions do not cause
  unintended harm to people or communities.
• Respect environmental protection, ethical practices, and human rights in
  all activities.

These principles are key factors used by Canada LIFTs when evaluating
projects.

This refers to a policy on protection against sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment (PSEAH). All organizations and partners will be required to have one in place before the start of the project. Resources to support the development of these policies will be provided as needed.

While we cannot respond on behalf of Global Affairs Canada, we do not believe that this would limit or prevent your access to Global Affairs Canada funding.

Program staff may not be able to respond to specific questions about your application. Please review the resources provided, and attend information sessions, otherwise, contact info@icn-lift.ca to get further assistance

We encourage you to apply for one that best aligns with your organization.

Yes, feedback will be provided once all the applications have been reviewed and decisions made.

There are no countries or themes specific. Project eligibility speaks to community-led, gender equality projects. Please review in more detail on the website.

Yes. Construction may be permitted where the resulting infrastructure will be owned by the international partner, subject to applicable program requirements and environmental, legal and local regulatory requirements.

Applicants proposing construction activities should provide relevant details in their application, including the location, nature, scale, and design of the proposed works, as well as potential environmental and climate-related risks. This information will help Canada LIFTs determine the appropriate level of environmental assessment and whether additional technical expertise may be required. Applicants are not expected to engage an environmental specialist at the application stage unless specifically advised.

Applicants should follow the guidance provided in each section of the application, including applicable budget requirements and the 20% funding cap for the relevant cost category.
Canada LIFTs will review the information provided and advise applicants if further clarification or assessment is necessary.