The Healing Fund

The Healing Fund Council

The Healing Fund Council was created in September 1995 to set the criteria and guidelines for the disbursal of funds raised through the Healing Fund. Under the guidance of Elders, the first council chose the name “The Healing Fund Council” and prepared a statement of purpose.

Today, the members of the Healing Fund Council are Indigenous representatives from First Nations communities across the church. The council meets twice each year to oversee the work of the Healing Fund and its program coordinator, consider applications for funding from projects across the land, and to assign grants to those projects which best fit the council’s criteria for healing initiatives.

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Statement of Purpose

The Healing Fund Council developed the following Statement of Purpose for the Healing Fund:

Jesus said, " ... Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for such is the kingdom of heaven."

Mark 10:14

From the strength of our First Nations' traditions we are recovering on the healing path. Our goal in working with the Healing Fund is to reach out to all broken, hurting people in our communities. Children no longer, we bear the scars of the past, and we are finding healing emotionally, physically and spiritually. We are available to walk with others on their holistic, healing path. The historical aspect of government-controlled Residential Schools has to be told and heard. The church and all Canadian society need healing.

Support for the Healing Fund is a step in living out the United Church Apology to First Nations Peoples (1986) and the Apology to Former Students of United Church Indian Residential Schools, and to Their Families and Communities (1998).

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Types of Projects Funded

The process of healing is unique to each community, and as such there are a variety of projects that have received funding from the Healing Fund. Here are some examples:

• healing circles, sharing circles ,and other programs for former residential schools students and their children
• residential school reunions
• workshops and training for Elders, resource people, counsellors, and parents
• language and cultural recovery programs
• traditional and cultural events/gatherings for Elders and youth with a focus on the wellness of men and women
• collecting and publishing stories in books, newsletters, and other media such as videos

See Projects Supported by the Healing Fund for previously funded projects.

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Criteria for Projects

The Healing Fund is intended to support grassroots projects that are First Nations-initiated and community-oriented. It is not intended to fund building projects or to purchase furniture or capital equipment. Its goal is not job creation, but facilitation of healing initiatives for individuals, families, and communities. Salaries, consultants, churches/ministries are not funded. All applications are carefully considered. Successful applications will most closely reflect the council’s criteria. In applying for project support, applicants should first consider the following:

Who can apply?

• Applicants should be part of a community-based program, whether on First Nation or off First Nation, that can demonstrate community involvement in the planning, direction, and follow-up to the event or program to be supported. Healing from the impact of the residential school era should be the primary purpose of the project.
• Participation in approved projects is open to non-Aboriginal people when considered appropriate by the project organizers; however, project organizers should be of Aboriginal descent.
• Priority is given to first-time applicants; however, an organization may apply as often as it wishes. 
• If your project is not approved for funding, please review your application and criteria. Reapplication is possible.  

What must the application contain?

• Applications must contain information about the organization requesting funding, the goals and objectives of the project, and contact information for the primary organizer.
• Applications must be accompanied by two letters of support from the Aboriginal community in which the event or program is to take place. Projects will not be considered if they lack letters of support.
• Applications must be accompanied by a financial or budget statement indicating expenses and anticipated sources of revenue. The budget must not exceed $15,000, as this is the maximum grant allowable. It is not necessary for the Healing Fund to be the sole source of funding, particularly for large or multi-year projects; however, it should be clear what portion of the total budget the Healing Fund grant will cover. The Healing Fund is not intended to supplement or replace funding available from federal or other government sources.
• Priority is given to projects that encourage the process of healing, language and cultural restoration.
• Successful applications will include a component for follow-up care so that participants are supported fully during their healing journey.

Application deadlines

Applications are considered twice yearly. Deadline dates for submitting applications are March 15 and September 15. All communication must be received by the deadline date.

Applicants must submit their application for funding well before their project start date. Due to the high volume of funding requests, the Healing Fund Council cannot consider applications submitted after deadline dates, or applications for projects that have already been completed at the time the application is reviewed. 

The project start date should be no sooner than June 1 for the March 15 application deadline date and no sooner that December 1 for the September 15 deadline. The council generally meets in May and November in each year. Successful applicants will receive 75% of their grant within three weeks of the meeting date and the balance after submission of an interim progress report.

Commitments

• Approved applicants must enter into a funding agreement and provide a report on the progress of their program or event so that the lessons learned along the way can be shared with others. A final report which includes a financial report and receipts for expenditures is required before the organization may apply for any future funding.
• Once a project has been completed and all reports received, the organization will be considered a first-time applicant after three years and may re-apply for funding.

How to apply

Applications for project support are received twice each year for consideration at the spring and fall meetings of the Healing Fund Council. Please use the Healing Fund Application Form [PDF: 3 pp/38 KB]. Attach additional pages as necessary. If you would like to receive the Application Form electronically in Word format, please contact The Healing Fund and one will be forwarded to you. 

Ensure that:

1. The application form is complete and received prior to the deadline date (March 15 or September 15). Applicants may fax or e-mail applications; however, the original, signed application must be sent by mail and received no later than the application deadline date.
2. The application is signed.
3. Letters of support are received with the application, or if sent separately, originals must be received prior to the deadline date.
4. Letters of support are signed and dated prior to the deadline date. Letters of support from an organization must be on letterhead. Letters of support from an individual must be handwritten.
5. The application contains a budget detailing how the Healing Fund dollars will be expended. If funding is sought from other sources, confirming that this funding has been approved would be an asset.

Send your application to:

• The Healing Fund
  The United Church of Canada 
  300-3250 Bloor Street West
  Toronto, ON M8X 2Y4

For more information contact:

• The Healing Fund
  Tel: 416-231-7680 ext. 4485
  Toll-free: 1-800-268-3781 ext. 4485
  E-mail: The Healing Fund