This program is currently between intakes. 2026-27 period complete; expressions of interest are taken for projects with expenses from April 1, 2027, and the next intake update is expected in fall 2026. Applications must be submitted no later than the anniversary date being commemorated, ideally 12 months before project start (6 months for budgets under $200,000). Confirm on the official site ↗
Updated September 2026 · Verified against Department of Canadian Heritage guidelines
Reimbursement Est. 2007
Grant Federal Between Intakes

Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage — Legacy Fund

Department of Canadian Heritage
Maximum Funding
Up to $500,000
2026-27 application period complete. Expressions of interest are open for pro...
Visit Official Program →
Difficulty
Moderate
Payment
Reimbursement
Trend
Stable
First-Timers
—
Co-Funding
50%
Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage — Legacy Fund provides Up to $500,000 (50% of eligible project expenses). Provides capital project grants of up to $500,000 (50% of eligible expenses) to non-profit organizations, Indigenous governing bodies, and municipal administrations undertaking community-initiated capital projects that commemorate a local historical event or personality, mark a 100th anniversary or greater (in 25-year increments), and restore, renovate or transform existing buildings or spaces with local community significance intended for community use. The program covers up to 50% of eligible costs. Applications are accepted 2026-27 application period complete. Expressions of interest are open for projects with expenses starting on or after April 1, 2027 (send a project summary before the anniversary date). Next intake update expected fall 2026..

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Real recipient data

Who actually receives this funding

89 organizations received this funding in 2025 — 384 awards since 2015. Typical award: $37.7K. Half of all awards fall between $18.6K and $75K. The advertised maximum is $500K — most awards land closer to $37.7K. Top provinces: Quebec 37% · Ontario 21% · Alberta 8%. Covers: PCH BCAH Legacy Fund — Historical Anniversaries Legacy Funds and Community Historical Anniversaries Programming sub-streams. Source: Government of Canada proactive disclosure data · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · Data through Q4 2026.

The typical Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage award is $37.7K — the median of 384 awards since 2015, even though the program advertises up to $500K. In 2025, 89 organizations were funded.

89funded in 2025
$37.7Ktypical award
384awards since 2015

Most awards fall between $18.6K and $75K, with a typical (median) award of $37.7K. The program funds up to $500K for the largest projects — about 13 times the typical award.

Where awards land
typical $37.7K $18.6K $75K
up to $500K

Most awards land between $18.6K and $75K, with a typical award of $37.7K — and this program funds up to $500K for the largest projects.

Top provinces QC 37%ON 21%AB 8%

Named recipients

Recent recipients include Muskoday First Nation (Muskoday, SK, 2026), Beaupre Community Association (Cochrane, AB, 2026) and Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House (Vancouver, BC, 2026).

  1. 2026Muskoday First NationMuskoday, SK
  2. 2026Beaupre Community AssociationCochrane, AB
  3. 2026Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood HouseVancouver, BC
  4. 2026Common Weal Community Arts Inc.Saskatoon, SK
  5. 2026Bloodvein River First NationBloodvein River, MB
  6. 2026Alexis Nakota Sioux NationGlenevis, AB
  7. 2026James Smith Cree Nation - Peter Chapman BandMelfort, SK
  8. 2026James Smith Cree Nation - Chakastaypasin BandMelfort, SK
  9. 2026Development Foundation of Treaty Six ConfederacyEnoch, AB
  10. 2026Onion Lake Cree NationOnion Lake, SK
Show 30 more recipients
  1. 2026Battlefords Agency Tribal Chiefs Inc.North Battleford, SK
  2. 2026Mi'gmawe'l Tplu'taqnn IncorporatedFredericton, NB
  3. 2026Taku River Tlingit First NationAtlin, BC
  4. 2026Royal Canadian Legion Branch 18Wallaceburg, ON
  5. 2026Eskasoni Band CouncilEskasoni, NS
  6. 2026MI'KMAW-KINA'MATNEWEYMembertou, NS
  7. 2026Lennox Island First NationLennox Island, PE
  8. 2025Corporation of the Town of WhitbyWhitby, ON
  9. 2025Our Lady of Mercy Complex Committee Inc.Aguathuna, NL
  10. 2025Société Historique de la Mer Rouge IncorporeeShediac, NB
  11. 2025Municipalité de la Petite Rivière Saint-François Inc.Petite-Rivière -Saint-François, QC
  12. 2025Fondation "Willie Déraspe" pour le Centre d'Interprétation du PhoqueGrande-Entrée, QC
  13. 2025Centre des Arts Contemporains du Quebec A Sorel-TracySorel-Tracy, QC
  14. 2025Glengarry Fencibles TrustGreen Valley, ON
  15. 2025Toronto Heliconian ClubToronto, ON
  16. 2025Corporation of the Municipality of Lambton ShoresGrand Bend, ON
  17. 2025Ottawa Art Gallery / Galerie d'Art d'OttawaOttawa, ON
  18. 2025Muséoparc Vanier MuseoparkOttawa, ON
  19. 2025London Heritage CouncilLondon, ON
  20. 2025Municipalité de ChelseaChelsea, QC
  21. 2025Municipalité de Ferme-NeuveFerme-Neuve, QC
  22. 2025Municipalité de Saint-AlfredSaint-Alfred, QC
  23. 2025Municipalité d'Ascot CornerAscot Corner, QC
  24. 2025Ville de DesbiensDesbiens, QC
  25. 2025Village of Val MarieVal Marie, SK
  26. 2025Town of CoronachCoronach, SK
  27. 2025Cooking Lake AirportSherwood Park, AB
  28. 2025Town of Picture ButtePicture Butte, AB
  29. 2025Village of MarwayneMarwayne, AB
  30. 2025Eagle Valley Arts CouncilSicamous, BC
See how much each recipient received, and how each award compares to the typical one. Included in Premium ↓

Source: Government of Canada proactive disclosure

See all Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage winners →

Eligibility & Details

What this program funds and who can apply

Free

Program Description

Provides capital project grants of up to $500,000 (50% of eligible expenses) to non-profit organizations, Indigenous governing bodies, and municipal administrations undertaking community-initiated capital projects that commemorate a local historical event or personality, mark a 100th anniversary or greater (in 25-year increments), and restore, renovate or transform existing buildings or spaces with local community significance intended for community use. Projects must meet all of these criteria.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Local non-profit organizations that are incorporated (ad hoc groups and organizations without legal incorporation are not eligible)
  • Local band councils, tribal councils, or other local Indigenous governing bodies and organizations (First Nations, Inuit, Métis)
  • Municipal administrations and their agencies, boards, and commissions — only with demonstrated active partnership with at least one community-based group for the proposed project
  • Organization must have been in existence for at least 2 years
  • Organization must plan to continue operating after project completion
  • Project must be community-initiated and capital in nature (not programming or events)
  • Project must serve community use and be accessible to the general public
  • Projects must meet all of these criteria: commemorate a significant local historical event or personality; mark a 100th anniversary or greater, in increments of 25 years; restore, renovate or transform existing buildings or exterior spaces with local community significance that are intended for community use; and encourage arts and heritage activities accessible to the general public
  • Public and private educational institutions, public libraries and hospitals are not eligible
Provinces
All Provinces
Industries
Arts Culture Tourism Heritage
Business Stage
Growth Established

Quick Assessment

Difficulty
Moderate
Competition
Moderate
First-Timer
Not rated

Funding Details

Amount
Up to $500,000 (50% of eligible project expenses)
Type
Grant
Level
Federal
Co-Funding
Up to 50% of eligible costs
Deadline
2026-27 application period complete. Expressions of interest are open for projects with expenses starting on or after April 1, 2027 (send a project summary before the anniversary date). Next intake update expected fall 2026.

Program Scorecard

Competition, effort, and approval at a glance

Competition
Moderate
Deadline
Between Intakes
Approval
Varies
Accessibility
3/5

Moderate — standard application process

Competition
3/5

Moderate competition — prepare a strong application

Difficulty
3/5

Moderate — standard requirements

Processing Time
Budget Trend
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How to Win

Insider tips, common pitfalls, and what successful applicants look like

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Insider Tip

Every project needs a qualifying anniversary: the fund supports only projects that mark a 100th anniversary or greater, in 25-year increments (100th, 125th, 150th, etc.), and that meet the other criteria.

Premium See what trips up most applicants for this program — and how to avoid it.

Rejection Pitfalls 8

  • Project is programming or events (not a capital project)
+7 more pitfalls
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Success Profile

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Evaluation Criteria

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How the Department of Canadian Heritage judges your application

What the reviewer scores, what gets applications rejected, and what to write.

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Written answers6no length limits stated
Judged on3 criteria
Can reject you18 rules
To attach9 documents

Distilled from 6+ source documents on canada.ca, condensed into one brief. Sources as of 2026-09-10.

6 of the sources

What the Department of Canadian Heritage favours

Projects with clear objectives and measurable results◦

“The program funds projects with clear objectives and measurable results.”

2 more, in their words

The form2 prompts shown

Before you apply2 sections
  1. 1Contact the program before applyingshort answer
  2. 2Expression of interest: brief project summary (current route, from April 2027 expenses)written answer

    Please contact the program to submit a brief project summary, including the anniversary date, and to receive guidance for future intake periods.

Eligibility5 sections
  1. 3Who can applyselection
  2. 4Requirements for every applicant (and municipal partners)checkboxes
  3. 5The anniversary being commemoratedyes/no + written

    To be eligible for funding from the Legacy Fund, your project must be a community-initiated project that is intended to commemorate a significant local historical event or pay tribute to a significant local historical personality marking a 100th anniversary or a subsequent anniversary, in increments of 25 years (e.g., 125th, 150th).

  4. 6The existing building, outdoor space or permanent objectselection
  5. 7Projects that are not eligible (screen before writing)checkboxes
Your case4 sections
  1. 8How does your project involve the local community?written answer
  2. 9How are arts and heritage highlighted, and how will the project raise their profile?written answer
  3. 10Capacity to carry out the projectwritten answer
  4. 11Projects lasting more than 12 monthswritten answer
Budget1 section
  1. 12Legacy Fund budget and other funding sourcestable
Attachments and letters2 sections
  1. 13Complete application package (all applicants)list
  2. 14Signed agreements for ongoing activitiesshort answer
Submitting1 section
  1. 15Application processcheckboxes

the Department of Canadian Heritage states no length limits for these answers.

12 more prompts, in the funder’s words

Judged against3 questions · 3 criteria

  1. 1

    Do local people actually shape this project?

    Show them Name your volunteers and their roles, list each community partner with its cash or in-kind amount, and show how the finished space is accessible and inclusive for the whole community.◦

    In the funder’s words · 1
    • How does your project involve the local community?
  2. 2

    Why does this person or event matter here?

    What to show, and the funder’s 1 criterion behind it in Premium

  3. 3

    Can you deliver it and keep it going?

    What to show, and the funder’s 1 criterion behind it in Premium

Where applicants failin the Department of Canadian Heritage’s words

“You must submit your application no later than the date of the anniversary being celebrated.”
“The program cannot fund or deem eligible expenses incurred before the date your application is received.”

4 more, in the funder’s words

Premium · the rest of this brief

See all 18 rules that can reject you and every criterion you are judged on. Then we draft your application for you.

14 more rules that can reject you · 2 more criteria · 12 more prompts

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Do you pass?18 checks

Each one can rule you out. Tick the ones you meet.

Your organisation

  • Local incorporated non-profit

    A local non-profit incorporated organization

  • Local Indigenous government or equivalent

    A local band council, local tribal council, or other local Indigenous government (First Nations, Inuit or Métis) or equivalent organization

  • Not an unincorporated ad hoc group

    Ad hoc groups and organizations without legal incorporation

The project

  • 100th anniversary or 25-year multiple

    Mark a 100th anniversary or greater, in increments of 25 years (e.g., 125th, 150th)

14 more checks

Documents to attach9

Ticks are kept on this device.

The money

Maximum grantup to $100,000 per project

Grants may be awarded up to a maximum of $100,000 per project.

Maximum contributionup to $500,000 per project

Contributions for larger projects can be made up to a maximum of $500,000 per project.

Exceptional shareup to 75% of eligible expenses

In exceptional circumstances, the program may fund up to 75% of eligible expenses per project.

Unveiling cap10% of expenses, max $10,000

expenses associated with the unveiling or launch of the commemorative project up to 10 percent of total eligible project expenses, to a maximum of $10,000

Administration capup to 15% of eligible expenses

expenses related to the administration of the commemorative project, up to 15 percent of total eligible project expenses

Contingency capup to 10% of project costs

project contingency funds of up to 10 percent of total budgeted planning, acquisition, construction or material costs associated with the project

First paymentwithin 4 weeks of notification

For grants: Once funding is approved, we will issue the first payment no later than 4 weeks after you have been notified of the funding decision.

Your shareup to 50% of eligible expenses

The program can fund up to 50% of your project’s total eligible expenses.

Stackinggovernment funding cannot exceed 100% of costs

The total financial assistance you receive from the Legacy Fund and the various levels of government (federal, provincial, territorial and municipal) cannot exceed 100% of your total project-related costs.

Costs before approvalcosts incurred before application are ineligible

The program cannot fund or deem eligible expenses incurred before the date your application is received. If you incur expenses for your project before receiving written confirmation of funding approval, you do so at your own risk.

What it pays for · 12
  • expenses related to the restoration, renovation or transformation of a building or outdoor space, including demolition, excavation, materials, labour and specialized equipment
  • expenses related to the commissioning or installation of statues, murals, works of art and Indigenous gathering circles
  • the purchase of land, buildings and objects of significant importance
  • expenses related to the design, manufacture and installation of interpretive panels or commemorative plaques, including translation costs into French, English and local Indigenous languages
  • expenses associated with the unveiling or launch of the commemorative project up to 10 percent of total eligible project expenses, to a maximum of $10,000
  • professional fees for project planning, drawings and studies (e.g., architectural drawings, engineering studies, environmental assessments, heritage studies)
  • professional fees for project financial audits for applications seeking more than $250,000
  • expenses related to the recruitment, training and support of local volunteers who are directly involved in the transformation of a building/outdoor space
  • expenses related to the administration of the commemorative project, up to 15 percent of total eligible project expenses
  • project contingency funds of up to 10 percent of total budgeted planning, acquisition, construction or material costs associated with the project
  • insurance fees for eligible activities
  • HST, PST, GST: only the portion of the applicable tax that is not reimbursable by the federal government through its tax credit program is eligible.
What it does not pay for · 12
  • routine maintenance expenses
  • your organization’s operating expenses (e.g., salaries, business travel expenses, office equipment and furniture, vehicles)
  • the purchase, commissioning or restoration of religious objects or artifacts currently in use or to be used in the ongoing practice of religious ceremonies or rituals
  • the repatriation of artifacts
  • archaeological digs
  • expenses related to public works infrastructure, such as the construction or restoration of roads, docks, parking lots, bike paths or sewers
  • restoration of cemeteries or tombstones, including cenotaphs
  • expenses related to the purchase of recreational or sports equipment
  • the purchase, commissioning or restoration of objects intended for sale
  • the purchase, commissioning or restoration of movable objects not related to a permanent capital project
  • expenses related to the provision of food services (e.g., kitchen equipment)
  • expenses for which financial support is requested under the Local Festivals or Community Anniversaries component of the BCAH program.

From application to money

  1. Talk to a program officerContact program officer with project summary
  2. Submit before the anniversarySubmit before the anniversary date
  3. AcknowledgementAcknowledgement within two weeks
  4. Review committee decides24 weeksDecision within 24 weeks
  5. Grant or contribution agreementGrant or contribution agreement determined
  6. Final reportFinal report at end of project
In the funder’s words · 6
Talk to a program officer
Contact the program with a brief project summary including the anniversary date, and request the application and budget forms.
Submit before the anniversary
Send the complete signed package by email, mail, courier or in person, and apply only once. (no later than the date of the anniversary being celebrated)
Acknowledgement
The program acknowledges receipt of your application within two weeks, so contact them if you hear nothing.
Review committee decides
A review committee compares your application with other applications and prioritizes it according to the funds available.
Grant or contribution agreement
The program determines whether your funding is disbursed as a grant or a contribution.
Final report
You submit a final report at the end of the project, and an audited financial report if the contribution is $250,000 or more.

Quoted lines are word for word from the source documents; lines marked ◦ are our reading of them.

What's in this Playbook

Everything you need to win Building Communities Through Arts and Heri...

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Application Playbook

Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses

Premium 7 steps 10 docs

Application Steps

1 Contact regional Canadian Heritage office Reach out to your regional Canadian Heritage office early to discuss your project concept, confirm eligibility, and get current guidelines. Contact information available at canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage.

Required Documents 10

✓ Completed Canadian Heritage application form (available from regional office)
✓ Proof of organization existence and legal status (articles of incorporation, letters patent, or equivalent for unincorporated groups)

Eligible Expenses 7

Ineligible Expenses 6

Intake Periods

Deadline Notes

Ineligible Organizations

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  • 6 more application steps
  • 8 more required documents
  • 7 eligible expenses
  • 6 ineligible expenses
  • Intake periods
  • Deadline notes
  • Ineligible organizations

Funding Stack Strategy

Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential

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Compatible Programs

Canada Cultural Spaces Fund (CCSF) Municipal capital funds Provincial heritage grants (e.g., Ontario Heritage Trust, Heritage BC) Infrastructure Canada programs
Combined Funding Potential See your total funding potential

Clawback Risk

Medium Risk

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How Building Communities Through Arts and Heri... Compares

Side-by-side with similar programs

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Building Communities Through Arts and... Up to $500,000 Moderate Reimbursement 2026-27 application...
Canada Cultural Spaces Fund (CCSF) Up to $15M Hard Reimbursement Ongoing — contact...
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Canada Media Fund up to $250K Hard Mixed (Advance + Reimb.) Ongoing (multiple...
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Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to the questions founders most often ask about Building Communities Through Arts and Heri...

Free
Does our organization need to be incorporated?
Yes, if you are a non-profit. The program accepts local incorporated non-profit organizations; ad hoc groups and organizations without legal incorporation are not eligible. Band councils, other local Indigenous governments and municipal administrations can also apply. Your organization must have operated for at least two years.
What counts as a qualifying anniversary?
A 100th anniversary or greater, in increments of 25 years — so 100th, 125th, 150th, 175th, etc. A 110th anniversary would not qualify; a 125th would.
Can in-kind contributions count toward our 50% match?
Yes — donated goods, professional services, and volunteer labour assessed at market value count as eligible in-kind contributions toward your 50% share, though they are not cash-reimbursable.
How far in advance should we apply?
At least 12 months before your planned project start date (6 months if total budget is under $200,000). The review process alone takes 6-12 months, and costs before approval are ineligible.
Can a for-profit heritage attraction apply?
No. Eligible applicants are non-profit organizations, Indigenous governing bodies, and municipal administrations only. For-profit businesses are ineligible regardless of heritage significance.

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