First Nations and Métis Community Partnership Projects

The purpose of the First Nations and Métis Community Partnership Projects Fund is to support projects that involve partnerships with First Nation and/or Métis communities, agencies, or non-profit organizations. The partnerships supported with grant funding should aim to achieve goals aligning with at least one of the following grant priority areas:

• Safe communities
• Strong families
• Student achievement
• Economic growth

Under this grant program, successful applicants may be awarded a maximum of 40 per cent of the eligible project costs, not exceeding a total contribution of $45,000.

To be eligible for this grant, the primary organization applicant must be one of the following Saskatchewan-based entities:

• Registered non-profit organization based in Saskatchewan
• First Nations, Tribal Councils and/or Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN)
• Métis Nation-Saskatchewan (MN-S) and its Regions, Locals and Affiliates
• Municipalities

* Please note:

• Non-Indigenous non-profits and municipalities must have an authentic partnership with an Indigenous community or organization demonstrated by a Letter of Support that clearly explains the partner’s role in the project.
• Non-profits must be in existence for at least one full fiscal year to be eligible for funding.
• Eligible applicants must be in good standing with the Ministry of Government Relations’ First Nations and Métis Relations (FNMR) grant funding programs and not have any outstanding final reports.

Ineligible Applicants

• Individuals
• Unincorporated entities
• For-profit corporations
• Applicants that do not have a partner(s)

Partnerships may include federal, provincial or municipal governments, non-profit organizations, educational institutions, First Nations Bands, Tribal Councils, MN-S, MN-S Regions or Locals, First Nations or Métis organizations, or private-sector firms.

In the context of the FNMR Grant Programs, a partner is an entity that contributes either in-kind or financial resources to the project. A project partner has a clearly defined role in project implementation.

Partners must provide a signed Letter of Support and contact information for the project. The First Nations and Métis Relations Unit will contact partnering organizations to confirm their participation.

Government Relations will not be considered a partner.

*Contracted services are not considered partnerships.

Eligible projects must involve a meaningful partnership with First Nation and/or Métis communities, agencies or non-profit organizations, and benefit Saskatchewan residents.

Preference will be given to projects that have not received funding from this grant program in the previous 12 months.

Projects will be considered ineligible if:

• The project involves an organization’s ongoing programming or core operations.
• The proposed project that is more than halfway complete at the time of application.

Applicants may not apply to more than one FNMR grant program to support the same project.

Projects will be assessed on the following:

• Project concept aligns with at least one of the four grant priority areas stated above
• Innovation
• Quality of the partnership(s)
• Potential for project to improve relationships that are cross-cultural or inter-generational
• Achievable project goals and objectives
• Budget has detailed and realistic expenditures

Applicants must include a budget in their submission that provides a clear explanation and cost breakdown of the project. All funding requested must be specific to the project.

A sample budget template is available for applicants. Please contact: fnmr@gov.sk.ca to request a copy.

Important Considerations for Developing a Budget

Under this grant program, successful applicants may be awarded a maximum of 40 per cent of the eligible project costs not exceeding a total contribution of $45,000.

Applicants must include the full cost details of the project and not only what is being applied for through the FNMR grant.

All eligible expenses must fall within the indicated start and end date of the grant and must be verifiable by receipts. Expenses incurred before or after the project start and end dates will not be eligible.

Grant funds that are not spent must be returned to the Ministry of Government Relations.

Eligible Expenses

• Contracted services, honoraria and gifts for Elders, Knowledge Keepers, resource people who are offering their skills and expertise for the term of the project.
• In-province travel expenses for project participants, including gas and vehicle rental during the project.
• Materials and supplies related to the implementation and delivery of the project.
• Cultural protocol expenses such as tobacco.
• Facility costs would only be considered eligible in situations where additional space is required for the project to move ahead.
• Administrative costs up to a maximum of 10 per cent of the total grant amount.

Ineligible Expenses

• Core funding of operations, including existing staff salaries or wages.
• Out-of-province travel.
• Capital expenditures such as construction, major infrastructure, land or building acquisitions.
• Major purchases such as vehicles, computer equipment and other tangible assets.
• The existing space/facility of an applicant organization is not eligible and would be considered as an in-kind contribution – i.e. rent, utilities and office overhead.
• Administrative costs over 10 per cent of the total grant amount.

The deadline to submit applications for this year’s funding has passed. Please visit this page next spring for a new funding application intake.

Please note:

• Receipt of applications from this year’s intake will be acknowledged by email.
• As this is a competitive application process, not all assessed projects will receive funding.
• Funding decisions from this year’s intake will be provided to the applicant in writing. Decisions are deemed final, and they will not be appealed.

As a condition of funding, a final report along with a statement of project expenditures must be submitted by the due date specified in each organization’s grant agreement

Funds may only be used for the eligible expenditures outlined in the grant agreement. Changes to the use of funds must have prior approval in writing from the ministry.

Funds may not be transferred to other activities or organizations and unused funds must be returned to the Ministry of Government Relations.

Download the final reporting form.

The ministry may publish recipients, events, projects and grant amounts.

The following projects and events were supported through the First Nations and Métis Community Partnership Projects Fund in 2024-25.