Canada LIFTs Program Guide: Eligibility, Streams & Funding Rules

Executive Overview of Canada LIFTs

The Canada LIFTs Program (Leveraging Innovation and Financial Transformation for Local Initiatives) is a purpose-driven funding, capacity-building, and peer-learning initiative funded by Global Affairs Canada (GAC) and led by the Inter-Council Network (ICN). Designed specifically for Canadian Small and Medium-Sized Organizations (SMOs) and their international partners, the program supports transformative, community-led international cooperation and global solidarity projects.

By providing direct grant funding alongside practical tools, training, and peer networking, Canada LIFTs aims to lower administrative barriers, rebalance power dynamics in international development, and foster sustainable, partner-led impact.

Key Program Streams & Funding Parameters

The Canada LIFTs initiative is structured across three distinct funding streams, tailored to different project scopes, organizational capacities, and multi-year ambitions:

Source Information Reference: Official details are sourced directly from the Inter-Council Network Canada LIFTs Overview, Canada LIFTs Program Description, and Canada LIFTs Eligibility Guidelines.

Detailed Organizational Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for funding under any Canada LIFTs stream, applicant organizations must satisfy strict legal, financial, and operational criteria set by the Inter-Council Network and Global Affairs Canada:

1. Legal Incorporation & Status:
   • Must be a registered Canadian non-profit organization or registered charity.
   • Exclusion: Post-secondary educational institutions are ineligible.
   • Must be legally incorporated in Canada for at least 3 consecutive years and provide official proof (e.g., Letter of Incorporation, Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) Business Number, or Registered Charity Number).
2. Small and Medium-Sized Organization (SMO) Thresholds:
   • Consolidated Revenue Limit: Most recent financial statements must demonstrate total annual consolidated revenue equal to or less than $10,000,000 CAD.
   • Overseas Expenditure Limit: Annual overseas expenditures in official development assistance must not exceed $2,000,000 CAD.
3. Financial Capacity & Governance:
   • Provide 3 complete years of financial statements (audited statements preferred).
   • Demonstrate robust financial oversight, ethical governance, and operational capacity to manage public grant funds responsibly.

Project Eligibility Criteria & Standards

Eligible project proposals must adhere to core principles of equitable development and global cooperation:

• Scope & Geography: Projects must focus on international cooperation, global solidarity, or public engagement within Canada. Overseas operational activities must take place in Official Development Assistance (ODA)-eligible countries.
• Localization & Leadership: Proposals must be community-informed and partner-led, featuring clear operational roles and decision-making authority for local overseas partners.
• Core Values Alignment: Alignment with key framework principles, including localization, gender equality, human rights promotion, intersectional inclusion, environmental responsibility, and strict adherence to “Do No Harm” protocols.
• Application Limits: Organizations are restricted to one active Canada LIFTs project at a time and may submit only one application per funding cycle.

Critical Ineligibility Criteria & Restrictions

• Global Affairs Canada Dual Funding Restriction: Organizations actively receiving direct project funding from Global Affairs Canada during the proposed timeline of their Canada LIFTs project are ineligible. Applicants must clearly document the end dates of existing GAC agreements.
• Construction Restriction (Catalyst Stream): Any project involving new physical construction or structural refurbishment—even if financed by external non-LIFT funds—is strictly prohibited under the Catalyst Fund. Construction activities are permitted only under the Momentum and Together streams.

Application Steps & Process

1. Stream Selection: Evaluate your organization’s revenue, overseas expenditure history, matching contribution capacity, and structural project scope.
2. Registration: Complete mandatory online registration during the open intake window (typically between April 1 and June 30).
3. Budget Preparation: Formulate a comprehensive project budget in Canadian Dollars (CAD) using the official Canada LIFTs Excel Budget Template.
4. Document Assembly: Gather 3 years of financial statements, legal incorporation documents, CRA registrations, and written partnership frameworks.
5. Formal Submission: Submit the single completed application in either English or French prior to the official deadline. Direct technical support inquiries to info@icn-lift.ca.