Museum Grant Program

Type of Funding: Operational Funding

The Museum Grant Program (MGP) provides operational funding to help foster strong, vibrant, community-based Saskatchewan museums that are valued and supported by society. This funding enables museums to focus on excellence in their programs and operations and to contribute to the understanding of the world and our place in it - our past, our present, and our future.

The Museum Grant Program deadline for applications is every two years. For museums who are approved for funding for the November or December 2023 deadline, a follow up report will be due once the Year 1 fiscal year is complete. As financial statements are a requirement of reporting, follow-up reports are due 90 days after the museum's fiscal year-end, to allow time for the financial statement process to be completed. Year 2 payments will be issued upon receipt and acceptance of a properly completed follow-up report. For example:

 

Fiscal Start

Fiscal End

Report Due Date

 Jan. 1 

 Dec. 31

 Mar. 31

 Feb. 1

 Jan. 31

 Apr. 30

 Mar. 1

 Feb. 28

 May 30

 Apr. 1

 Mar. 31

 Jun. 30

 May 1

 Apr. 30

 July 31

 Jun. 1

 May 30

 Aug. 31

 July 1

 Jun. 30

 Sept. 30

 Aug. 1

 July 31

 Oct. 31

 Sept. 1

 Aug. 31

 Nov. 30

 Oct. 1

 Sept. 30

 Dec. 31

 Nov. 1

 Oct. 31

 Jan. 31

 Dec. 1

 Nov. 30

 Feb. 28

If you require any accommodations or assistance during the application process, please do not hesitate to contact Tara-Leigh Heslip at 306-695-2013 or theslip@saskculture.ca. If you encounter any challenges or have any suggestions on how we can improve accessibility, please let us know.

Amount

MGP operates on a 2-year cycle, providing two years of funding to successful applicants. The program has three funding stream levels, each with a separate application form. Applicants may only apply to one stream and must choose which application form to complete depending upon their individual circumstances and the expectations of the funding stream.

To determine the most suitable stream in which to apply:

  1. Review the table below to determine the stream of funding that is best-suited for your museum. Note the level of applicant contribution that is required from sources other than MGP/Sask Lotteries. When determining the request amount, remember that only eligible operational expenses will be considered (refer to the Eligible and Ineligible Expense section on pages 6-7 of the MGP Guidelines).
  2. Review the Funding Stream Features section on page 4 of the MGP Guidelines. This section outlines what successful museums in each stream tend to encompass and outlines the application requirements for each stream.

For all streams, there is no guarantee that the amount requested will be the amount awarded. For instance, an applicant may apply to Stream Two for $8,000, but might only be awarded $4,000.

The maximum level of funding an applicant could potentially receive in each stream is:

Stream

MGP Maximum Request Amount

Maximum MGP contribution towards eligible operational expenses

Minimum applicant contribution towards the total eligible operational expenses

The range* for operational budgets for each stream tends to be approximately:

One

Up to $5,000

100%

0%

1,500 – 65,000

Two

Up to $15,000

50%

50%

30,000 – 115,000

Three

Up to $30,000

50%

50%

125,000 – 500,000+

 

*Budget ranges are based on MGP Statistics. This is a reflection of the majority of budgets per stream. Some applicant budgets may fall outside of these ranges and as such, may not be represented in the ranges listed above.

Purpose

MGP supports applicants who demonstrate:

1. Strong Governance and Strategic Development

  • Follow good governance practices;
  • Develop and monitor long-term goals;
  • Demonstrate a link between public consultation, planned programs, their impact, and the results of evaluation;
  • Value training and learning opportunities for staff and volunteers;
  • Follow the Standards for Saskatchewan Museums;

2. Valued Programming

  • Deliver meaningful activities, programs and services that are valued by the public;

3. Community Connections

  • Are welcoming and inclusive;
  • Collaborate through networks and partnerships;
  • Value community involvement and actively engages the public;

4. Responsible Use of Resources and Risk Management Practices

  • Demonstrate a realistic and responsible use of resources (funds, volunteers, etc.); and
  • Demonstrate a link between planned activities and the museum’s budget.

Priority will be given to:

  • The equitable distribution of MGP funds across the province;
  • Museums that provide increased participation opportunities for people who live in rural areas and people from the Northern Sport, Culture and Recreation District
  • Museums that provide increased participation opportunities for First Nations and Métis peoples, Young people, and Newcomers;
  • Indigenous, ethno-cultural or multicultural museums.

Eligibility

To be eligible, your museum must:

  • Be a museum defined as "... a non-profit, permanent institution in the service of society and its development, open to the public, which acquires, conserves, researches, communicates and exhibits the tangible and intangible heritage of humanity and its environment for the purposes of education, study and enjoyment.” (Museums Association of Sask. Articles and Bylaws, 2015). This definition includes Building-based Museums, Eco-Museums, and Virtual Museums. For further definition of these, please see page 2 of the MGP Guidelines.
  • Maintain separate financial records related to the operation of the museum.

And be either:

A Registered Non-Profit organization based in Saskatchewan OR a Saskatchewan museum that was established through a municipal bylaw or Band council resolution. Please see the Eligibility section in the MGP Guidelines for more information on the requirements for both types of organizational structures.

Before You Apply

  • Please be aware that SaskCulture has transitioned all grant applications to an online grant application and review system. Applicants must now submit grant applications through SaskCulture's Online Grant Platform: grants.saskculture.ca.
  • Read the program guidelines;
  • All applicants, especially new applicants, are strongly urged to discuss their application stream options with SaskCulture prior to submission well in advance of the deadline;
  • If the deadline falls on a weekend or statutory holiday, the deadline becomes the next business day; and
  • Late applications will not be considered for funding. If you experience technical difficulty with the online system, you must contact SaskCulture prior to the deadline.

If you have any questions about SaskCulture programs and services, please contact Outreach Consultant listed on this page. 

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