HMQF Inaugural Reconnection Grant

Call for Proposals

Application Deadline: Applications accepted between July 31, 2025 and September 30, 2025
Maximum Grant Amount: Up to $30,000

HQMF is pleased to announce its inaugural Reconnection Grant. This is a Call for Proposals for grants of up to $30,000 each to support Indigenous communities and organizations in developing or enhancing events and initiatives that prioritize the involvement and support of IBHP Survivors.

This one-time Reconnection Grant aims to support community-driven efforts that honour the lived experiences of boarding home survivors, foster healing, recovery, and wellness, and create meaningful opportunities for reconnection and recognition through Indigenous-led approaches.

Eligibility Criteria:

• First Nations, Metis, and Inuit communities and governments
• Indigenous non-profit organizations
• Indigenous cultural, language, or ceremonial groups
• Applicants must demonstrate substantial community involvement and leadership by, or in partnership with, IBHP Survivors.
• Applicants (fundholders) must be an incorporated entity or affiliated with an incorporated entity.
• Provide proof of incorporation or confirmation of affiliation from the incorporated entity.

Project Scope – Funded projects must:

• Directly support IBHP Survivors
• Be Indigenous-led or co-led
• Include at least one of the following key components:
  • Commemoration
  • Culture
  • Community
  • Language
  • Indigenous Knowledge, and/or
  • Ceremony
• Focus on “Reconnecting” survivors with their communities, cultures, families, and/or Indigenous ways of being and knowing

Call for Proposals (cont.)

Projects can include, but are not limited to:

• Community events and gatherings
• Cultural camps or ceremonies
• Storytelling and knowledge-sharing events
• Language and Indigenous knowledge revitalization, wellness, or healing circles involving survivors
• Survivor-led community development initiatives

Funding Details:

• Up to 10 grants will be awarded
• Maximum grant amount per project: $30,000
• Project activities must begin after funding is awarded and be completed by March 31, 2026
• A final report on the funded project will be due April 31, 2026

Proposal Requirements:

1. Cover Page with contact information for the project lead, the organization, and all collaborators on the proposed project.
2. Project Summary (1 page)
3. Description of how the project supports the Indian boarding homes program survivors (1/2 page)
4. Details of how culture, language, ceremony, Indigenous knowledge, or community engagement will be incorporated (1/2 page)
5. Work plan and timeline (1 page)
6. A budget outlining how funds will be used (1 page)
7. A support letter from a recognized community member or survivor representative
8. Proof of incorporation/collaboration with an incorporated entity

Deadline and Submission:
Applications accepted between July 31, 2025 and September 30, 2025 at 11:59 pm (local time).

For questions and to submit proposals:
Melody Wood, melody@hqmfoundation.com, with the Subject line: “Reconnection Grant Proposal – [Your Community/Organization Name]”

For information about the Boarding Homes Class Action Compensation, please visit www.boardinghomesclassaction.com.