The Indian Residential School Community Engagement Fund (IRSCEF) supports Indigenous-led, survivor-centred initiatives related to the legacy of Indian Residential Schools in Ontario. Funding is available for projects that promote healing, commemoration, education, and community engagement.
Eligible applicants can apply for up to $250,000 to fund projects related to:
- Commemoration and legacy initiatives
- Survivor engagement and gatherings
- Public education and awareness
- Culturally appropriate mental health and wellness supports
- Research and community-led investigations
For the 2026–2027 funding cycle, Ontario has introduced greater flexibility to support community priorities, including memorial projects, storytelling and documentation initiatives, educational resources, and other activities that honour and preserve the histories and experiences of Survivors, families, and communities.
Eligible Applicants: First Nations, Métis, Tribal Councils, Political Territorial Organizations, Indigenous organizations, and eligible partner organizations in Ontario.
Deadline: September 16, 2026, 4 p.m. EDT
Looking for support with your application?
Learning Bird provides grant support for Indigenous communities and organizations. We can help with the full grant scope from scoping and grant writing, through to project delivery and reporting. Whether you’re refining a project idea, developing a work plan and budget, or preparing an application, our team can help you build a proposal that reflects your community’s priorities and goals.
Contact our team to discuss your project or learn how we can support your application.
Read the application guidelines to learn more about the program.