The purpose of the CIF is to stimulate Kahnawà:ke’s social economy and improve the quality of life for Kahnawa’kehró:non collectively, by investing in the community through engagement, motivation, empowerment and support.

Inspiration is drawn from the principles and values defined in the Shared Vision Statement in pursuit of creating a strong, healthy Kanien’kehá:ka identity and prosperous community.

The CIF is intended to support initiatives that have a socio-economic focus specifically in areas that have been identified as important (Identified through community consultation reports and strategic plans) by Kahnawa’kehró:non. Initiatives must benefit community as a collective and demonstrate how they will address one or more of the following areas:

• EDUCATION & LEARNING
• LANGUAGE & CULTURE
• HEALTH & WELLNESS
• SOCIAL ECONOMY

• To implement ideas with potential to support, encourage, engage and empower individuals and organizations in taking responsibility to improve the quality of life in Kahnawà:ke;
• To stimulate the social economy and promote financial sustainability;
• To benefit people, the environment, the social economy, and culture;
• To address community needs;
• To support merit-based initiatives that demonstrates investment in our community; and
• To offer a user-friendly and simplified manner in which to access funds.

Eligible Recipients

• Those who may apply for project funding are:
  Kanien’kehá:ka of Kahnawà:ke registered on the Kahnawà:ke Kanien’kehá:ka Registry; or
• Community organizations and groups with an established governance structure.

Eligible beneficiaries include but are not limited to:

• Grassroots organizations;
• Community organizations;
• Non-profit organizations; and
• Causes/mobilizations.

A member, or members, of an eligible group or organization, may be required to sign the Funding Agreement on behalf of their entire group or organization and will be personally liable for all of he obligations undertaken.

Students
Funding for students is on hold. The CIF would like to take time to consult further with students and community to determine the greatest needs.

The following items will NOT be entitled to funding under the CIF:

• Recurring operational costs of an existing organizational service or initiative, unless the funds will assist the operations/services/initiatives in becoming financially self-sustaining;
• Community operations/services that already receive core funding from federal and provincial governments;
• Donations and/or fundraising event requests;
• Individual social needs;
• Debts;
• Retroactive funding for project expenses that have already been incurred;
• Private for-profit businesses; and
• Per diem.

This list is not exhaustive and the final decision rests with the Oversight and Review Committee.

Education & Learning

The objective is to improve educational outcomes through curriculum and co-curricular enhancements, student support services and increased literacy.

With emphasis on initiatives that promote:

• Languages and science, technology, engineering, arts, mathematics (STEAM) studies;
• Traditional teaching;
• Healthy behaviours and life skills;
• Collaboration, mentorship and parental involvement;
• Strategies for student perseverance and retention in school; and
• Higher-level learning.

Language & Culture

The Fund’s objective is to work toward fulfilling the community’s Shared Vision, which states that in 2029, Kanien’kéha is the main language in our community and Kaianere’kó:wa is our guiding principle.:
With emphasis on initiatives that promote:

• Increased proficiency in Kanien’kéha;
• Kanien’kehá:ka traditions, individual identity and collective unity;
• Reducing the impacts of residential school and multigenerational trauma;
• The preservation of history, culture and language; and
• Environmental protection & enhancement.

Health & Wellness

The objective is to increase the potential for people to be healthy in mind, body and spirit and to assist with healing and rehabilitation.
With emphasis on initiatives that promote:

• Reduction of and abstinence from alcohol and substance abuse;
• Self-esteem and personal/familial core values;
• Healthy relationships and behaviours;
• Fitness and recreation; and
• Food security.

Social Economy

The objective is to increase the socio-economic success of our community for an improved quality of life in terms of better infrastructure, services, jobs and security.
With emphasis on initiatives that promote:

• Workforce development & income security;
• Social enterprise;
• Financial literacy; and
• Community planning.

Further consideration will be given to proposals that:

• Are new and innovative;
• Promote and foster self-sufficiency;
• Address current community issues;
• Have measurable and successful outcomes and positive impacts;
• Are collaborative in nature;
• Target elders and youth;
• Incorporate respect for the environment;
• Provide apprenticeships or training opportunities;
• Promote volunteerism; and
• Incorporate more than one focus area.

Documents

The application is on hold until further notice.

APPLICATION

1. CIF sends out call for project proposals, and approaches organizations that have an interest in Focus Areas.
2. Initiative applicants liaise with CIF during development and application process.
3. Initiatives are received & screened; CIF prepares package for Oversight and Review Committee; Committee makes recommendations for funding based on evaluation scores.
4. Positive recommendation: CIF releases funding and project goes ahead.
5. Negative recommendation: Initiative applicant is informed and coached further to improve project, if still interested, for next review process.

IMPLEMENTATION

1. Funding agreement is signed between both parties and initiative is implemented;
2. Progress and financial reports are prepared as agreed upon in the Funding Agreement;
3. Reports are positive, as reviewed by the CIF;
4. Project continues until scheduled date of completion.
5. Reports are negative or inconclusive, as reviewed by the Oversight and Review Committee;
6. Initiative is assisted by CIF:
   1. Improved: Project continues until scheduled date of completion
   2. Lack of Improvement: Project is terminated.