Project Funding

Overview

The Federal Victims Strategy consolidates all federal government work related to victims of crime into one objective: to give victims a more effective voice in the criminal justice system.

The Victims Fund provides grants and contributions to support projects and activities that encourage the development of new approaches, promote access to justice, improve the capacity of service providers, foster the establishment of referral networks, and/or increase awareness of services available to victims of crime and their families.

The Victims Fund does not provide criminal injuries compensation for victims of crime.

Who is eligible?

Who can apply for this funding?

• not-for-profit agencies and organizations;
• national, provincial, territorial, municipal, Indigenous, community or professional organizations, societies or associations;
• educational institutions; and
• non-governmental organizations.

Objectives

The objectives of the Victims Fund are to:

• promote access to justice and participation by victims in the justice system;
• promote the development of law, policies and programs for victims;
• promote the implementation of principles, guidelines and laws designed to address the needs of victims of crime and articulate the victim's role in the criminal justice system;
• increase knowledge and awareness of the impact of victimization, the needs of victims of crime, available services, assistance and programs, and relevant legislation;
• encourage governmental and non-governmental organizations to identify victim needs and gaps in services, and develop and deliver programs, services and assistance to victims; and,
• promote capacity-building within non-governmental organizations.

Activities/Projects

Current Priorities - Sexual violence and Restorative Justice

Funding is available for projects that align with current governmental priorities. The Victims Fund aims to improve access to justice and services for all victims of crime, with a particular focus on: 1) victims of sexual violence; and 2) victim-centred approaches to restorative justice.

1. Victims of sexual violence: It is a current priority for the Department of Justice to address gender-based violence and support activities that will help enhance the criminal justice system's response to victims and survivors of sexual assault, improve their access to justice, increase their confidence in the justice system, and enhance victim services.
2. Victim-centred approaches to restorative justice: It is a current priority for the Department of Justice to support projects that will advance the use of restorative justice approaches. The objective of this funding will be to give victims of crime greater voice and choice in the criminal justice system and support better outcomes for victims by increasing access to restorative justice processes that are trauma-informed and victim-centred.

What types of projects are we seeking under the current priorities?

Victims of sexual violence:

• Projects, training or services designed to enhance access to justice for survivors and victims of sexual assault, particularly in relation to the provision of trauma-informed services, including trauma-informed approaches to support victims’ and survivors’ participation in the criminal justice system,
• Projects or services that fill identified gaps at various stages throughout the criminal justice process for survivors of sexual assault;
• Pilot or enhance support services tailored to the specific needs of populations, especially underserved communities, such as women living in rural, isolated or remote areas, women with disabilities, racialized women, newcomers to Canada, two-spirited, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, questioning, queer, intersex and (2SLGBTQI+) gender non-conforming communities; and
• Develop and deliver training for criminal justice professionals (such as police, Crowns or victim service providers) and other first responders (such as paramedics) on sexual assault law, trauma-informed practice, and the unique considerations that should be taken into account when working with survivors of sexual violence, especially when they are a member of a particularly vulnerable population.

Victim-centred approaches to restorative justice:

• Projects that enhance or support innovative models of victim support in restorative justice programs (such as hiring victim service providers to work in restorative justice programs, developing victim mentor/support services, providing a range of options for victim engagement, such as through victim surrogate approaches) to ensure that victims have choices and receive support before, during and following a restorative justice process;
• Pilot support services in existing programs to address gaps in restorative justice services (such as enhancing access to restorative justice programs involving adults, expanding service delivery post-charge, post-conviction, pre-sentence in restorative justice programming to address more serious harms, where feasible and appropriate); and
• Training or partnership building to support the delivery of trauma-informed, victim-centred restorative justice and improve awareness and access to restorative justice for victims of crime.

What other types of projects qualify for funding?

Funding is available to encourage the development of approaches that aim to meet the needs of victims of crime. The types of projects that could receive funding include:

• projects to increase awareness and access to services for victims, with a focus on those in northern and rural communities;
• projects to enhance the capacity of victim service providers;
• projects to set up and implement referral networks, partnerships, protocols, public-education projects and training; and,
• projects that involve consultation, research or evaluation intended to benefit victims of crime.

What types of activities are not eligible for project funding?

• ongoing activities;
• duplication of programs or services already funded or delivered by other organizations or government departments;
• entertainment expenses or honoraria for participants at conferences, workshops, or seminars;
• thesis projects; and,
• capital expenditures (excluding those related to the purchase of testimonial aids).

Points to Consider

What improves the chances of having a successful funding application?

The review of your application could take 4 to 6 months to complete. Please consider this in deciding the start date for your project.

Please respond to each question in the application/proposal form. Incomplete applications may result in delays and even in rejection of the application.

A project has a greater chance of securing funding if there are other partners, as well as demonstrated support from organizations in the community. Letters of support are required as part of a complete application.

When is the deadline to submit a funding application?

There is no deadline for submitting funding applications under this initiative. Proposals are approved, in part, based on the availability of funding.

How to Apply for Funding

To apply for funding, please request a Word version of the application form by contacting: pb-dgp@justice.gc.ca.

Official Languages

In support of Section 41 of the Official Languages Act, the Department is committed to facilitating the participation of official language minority communities and their organizations in the development and assessment of the Department's policies, programs and services having significant impact on the development of the communities; and to take measures to ensure that the Department of Justice's programs and services reach official language minority communities. In the context of project funding, these measures include:

• outreach to official language minority communities to enhance their understanding of the Department of Justice funding programs; and
• encouraging contacts between organizations that are receiving financial assistance and official language minority organizations/groups to ensure that the needs of these communities are taken into consideration in relation to the proposed projects to be considered for Department of Justice Canada funding.

Sustainable Development

The Department of Justice encourages applicants to submit proposals electronically. If you submit your application on paper, please consider printing on both sides of the paper. These actions will minimize environmental impacts.

Publications and Resources

What can I expect from a funding agreement?

The following guide is designed as a reference tool to help funding recipients better understand and comply with the financial requirements described in contribution agreements. It is recommended that recipients review this handbook at the onset of their funding agreements.

Contribution Funds for Non-Governmental Organizations, a Handbook

Helpful Federal Government Links:

• Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
• Canadian Embassies or Consulates
• Travel Canada
• Correctional Service of Canada, Victim Services
• Federal Ombudsperson for Victims of Crime
• Health Canada (National Clearinghouse on Family Violence)
• Parole Board of Canada (Victims of Crime)
• Public Safety Canada (National Office for Victims)

Helpful Provincial/Territorial Government Links:

• Alberta
  • Solicitor General and Public Security Victims of Crime
  • Financial Benefits Program
• British Columbia
  • Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General (Victim Services)
  • Crime Victim Assistance Program (Financial Assistance)
  • VictimLINK: 1-800-563-0808
• Manitoba
  • Manitoba Justice Victims of Crime (Victim Services)
  • Compensation for Victims of Crime Program (Financial Assistance)
• New Brunswick
  • Department of Public Safety Victim Services Program
  • Compensation for Victims of Crime (Financial Assistance)
• Newfoundland & Labrador
  • Department of Justice Victim Services
• Nova Scotia
  • Nova Scotia Department of Justice Victim Services
  • Criminal Injuries Counselling Program (Financial Assistance)
• Ontario
  • Ministry of the Attorney General (Victim Services)
  • The Criminal Injuries Compensation (Financial Assistance)
  • Office for Victims of Crime
  • Victim Support Line: 1-888-579-2888 toll free (or in Toronto, 1-416-314-2447)
• Prince Edward Island
  • Office of the Attorney General and Public Safety (Victim Services)
  • Criminal Injuries Compensation (Financial Assistance)
• Quebec
  • Justice Québec Victims of Crime (Victim Services)
  • Crime Victims Compensation Act (Financial Assistance)
  • Crime Victims Assistance Centre: 1-866-532-2822
• Saskatchewan
  • Saskatchewan Justice Victims Services Program
  • Saskatchewan Justice Victims Services Compensation (Financial Assistance)
• Northwest Territories
  • Department of Justice Victim Services
• Nunavut
  • Community Justice
• Yukon
  • Department of Justice Victim Services

Contact Information

Where is more information available?

For more information about the Victims Fund and how to apply for project funding, contact us:

Victims Fund Manager
Programs Branch
Department of Justice
284 Wellington Street, 6th Floor
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0H8

Telephone: General Victims Fund: (613) 941-4193
E-mail: pb-dgp@justice.gc.ca
Fax: (613) 954-4893