Supporting Black Canadian Communities (SBCC) (Capacity Capital Assistance)

Overview of the Supporting Black Canadian Communities (SBCC) (Capacity Capital Assistance) program:

The program aims to increase organizational capacity and provide capital assistance to support sustainable growth and effectiveness, particularly for Black-led organizations. Under the first area, the program focuses on enhancing organizational capacity by helping organizations diversify their income and financing sources. This includes developing investment revenue streams, improving grant writing skills, and strengthening fundraising efforts. It also supports initiatives that improve operational management effectiveness and efficiency, such as implementing strategic planning, enhancing human resource management, and adopting digital tools and systems to streamline operations. Additionally, the program emphasizes governance capacity building for Black-led organizations. This involves strengthening leadership and stewardship, improving communication and transparency, fostering continuous learning and growth, promoting empowerment and accountability, ensuring fairness in service delivery, and developing systems to measure accomplishments effectively. The second area of focus is capital assistance, which supports equipment purchases and renovation or retrofit projects that improve workspaces or community spaces, whether owned or leased. Eligible equipment purchases may include computers, tablets, desks, office furniture, software, telephone systems, boardroom tables, sound systems, smart boards, kitchen appliances, and tools that enable virtual work. Renovation or retrofit projects may include activities such as painting offices or community meeting rooms, increasing or improving office layouts, renovating or commercializing community kitchens to meet local fire, building, and health codes, modernizing community program spaces like gyms, or updating outdoor play spaces. These investments aim to enhance functionality, accessibility, and the overall effectiveness of the spaces where organizations operate and serve their communities.

Benefits of the Supporting Black Canadian Communities (SBCC) (Capacity Capital Assistance) program:

• Funding is available to non-profit grassroots organizations across Canada that meet the eligibility and targeted review criteria in these guidelines.
• Only non-profit grassroots organizations can apply for funding with a Capacity Building project budget of a minimum of $10,000 to a maximum of $45,000.
• Applicants will need to provide their full budget including existing capital for full transparency.

Eligibility criteria of the Supporting Black Canadian Communities (SBCC) (Capacity Capital Assistance) program:

• To be eligible for the SBCCI, organizations must meet the following criteria:
• The organization must be registered as a non-profit or charitable organization.
• The organization must be Black-led and have a mandate to serve Black Canadian communities.
• The organizations leadership (directors and founders) must be at least two-thirds (2/3) composed of individuals who self-identify as Black.
• The organizations governance structure (such as volunteer committees, advisory boards, or eldership circles) must also be at least two-thirds (2/3) composed of individuals who self-identify as Black.
• The organization must be working toward or have established internal measures, including practices and procedures for internal controls and accountability.
• The organization must be a legal entity in Canada.
• If the organization is located outside of Quebec, it must have been in operation on or before July 25, 2025.
• If the organization is located within Quebec, it must also have been in operation on or before July 25, 2025.