The Ottawa Jewish Arts & Culture Grant provides up to $15,000 to support vibrant, creative, and collaborative projects that strengthen Canadian Jewish cultural identity and enrich Jewish life in Ottawa. 

Recognizing that creativity is a powerful gateway into Jewish identity and a cornerstone of a thriving community, this grant offers one-time funding for collaborative events and programs that focus on arts, cultural expression, and heritage programming. 

Goals of the Fund 

• Provide opportunities to develop initiatives that highlight the dynamism, resilience, and creativity of Jewish life in Ottawa 
• Inspire programming that celebrates the diversity of the Jewish experience – in the past, present, and future 
• Promote collaboration across organizations 
• Encourage cross-sector partnerships that blend artistic expression, heritage, education, spirituality, and community engagement 

Eligibility Criteria 

Who is eligible to apply?
To be considered, applicants must: 

• Be a not-for-profit organization or registered charity 
• Align with Federation’s mission to advance and promote exceptional Jewish life in Ottawa 
• Demonstrate a clear ability to build Jewish identity and to increase engagement 
• Include unrelated collaborative partners (only one must be a registered not-for-profit) with defined roles and shared goals 
• Commit to administering required surveys and reporting 
• Adhere to Federation’s branding, recognition, and promotional guidelines 
• Acknowledge that future program costs become the responsibility of the applicant(s) after the funding period 

What kinds of activities are eligible for grant funding? 

Funding is available for programs that: 

• Use arts, culture, and creative expression to cultivate Jewish identity 
• Offer deep dives into Jewish culture, heritage, and traditions 
• Introduce new artistic, cultural, or engagement offerings to the community 
• Engage multiple age groups or demographics 
• Strengthen relationships across organizations through meaningful partnerships 

Examples may include but are not limited to: 

• Artistic collaborations with local or visiting Jewish artists 
• Intergenerational arts or storytelling projects 
• Music, theatre, dance, or film initiatives that explore Jewish themes 
• Heritage or identity workshops blended with creative practice 

What are the Collaboration Requirements? 

Collaboration is a core expectation of this grant. Applications must include: 

• A minimum of two unrelated collaborative partners (the more parties involved, the higher possibility of success) 
• A clear explanation of: 
  • Why the partnership is meaningful 
  • How partners contribute unique strengths or perspectives 
  • How collaboration enhances reach, creativity, or impact 

Cross-sector partnerships are strongly encouraged, including: 

• Cultural organizations 
• Synagogues 
• Schools and camps 
• Social service agencies 
• Grassroots groups 
• Arts collectives and community artists 
• Intercultural partners, including outside of the Jewish community, when appropriate 

Evaluation Criteria 

Applications will be evaluated on: 

• The strength and depth of the Jewish identity-building component 
• The creativity and cultural value of the initiative 
• Clarity and impact of the collaborative partnership 
• Strength and feasibility of the work plan, timeline, budget, and program design 
• Clear articulation of how the initiative enriches Jewish life in Ottawa 

All artistic disciplines will be considered. 

Grant Requirements 

• Projects or initiatives are eligible for a one-time grant, up to a maximum of $15,000, to be used within eight months of receiving the funding agreement. 
• Grantees will be required to sign a grant agreement outlining completion deadlines, and reporting requirements. 
• Project and publicity materials for your program receiving funding must include the Federation logo and this tagline: This event is powered by the Jewish Federation of Ottawa’s Jewish Arts and Culture Grant. 
• Finished projects must initially be presented in the National Capital Region.  

When can organizations apply? 

• Applications for the Ottawa Jewish Arts & Culture Grant are currently being accepted.  
• Applications are due on April 30, 2026. 

How to apply? 

Apply by completing the online application at https://jewishottawa.grantplatform.com. After logging in with your existing credentials or registering, click on “Impact Grants” and then select “Ottawa Jewish Arts & Culture Grant" under "Fund.” Be sure to save your progress and submit when complete.  

For more information, please contact: Dr. Amos Bitzan by emailing [email protected].