Literary Organizations: Operating

Purpose

The program supports the ongoing operations of not-for-profit, professional literary organizations in Ontario, except for book and magazine publishers.

Priorities

The program’s priorities are to support organizations that present Canadian literature to the public, promote Canadian literature, engage literary artists in arts education activity, or assist literary artists to hone their craft, in order to sustain a healthy literary community. Written and oral literary traditions are equally valued in this program.

Deadline date(s)

• In 2025, this program is in year 2 of a three-year cycle.
• Applications are available in Nova about two months before the deadline.
• Financial and statistical reports must be submitted through Canadian Arts Data / Données sur les arts au Canada (CADAC) before the deadline.
• Grant notification will be available about five months after the deadline.

• Potential new applicants (organizations that did not receive a grant from this program last year) must contact the program officer at least one month before the deadline to request approval to apply. This process will involve one or more discussions between OAC and the potential applicant to determine its eligibility to and fit with the program, what grant amount to request, and other particulars.

Eligible applicants

• Ontario-based, not-for-profit corporations, or national not-for-profit corporations with the head office in Ontario
• Organizations must have:
  • at least $75,000 in total revenues for the last fiscal year, and in projected revenues for the current and requested years (for applicants not currently receiving funding from this program)
  • two years of sustained, regular, ongoing programming, as of the application date. If your organization does not meet this requirement, consider applying for project funding
  • a range of revenue sources
  • an active board of directors/governing body

Read the Guide to OAC Operating Programs for more eligibility information.

Ineligible applicants

• organizations that primarily distribute Canadian literature
• organizations that primarily publish books and/or magazines
• non-arts organizations
• municipalities, colleges and/or universities

To apply

Complete and submit an application in Nova, OAC’s online grant application system. You will be able to do this about two months before the deadline.

Before applying, you must:

• read the Guide to OAC Operating Programs
• read the Guide to OAC Assessment
• contact the program officer to discuss eligibility (new applicants only)
• create or update your profile in Nova
• register for an account with Canadian Arts Data / Données sur les arts au Canada (CADAC) (new applicants only)

Your application includes:

• your answers to the application questions
• financial and statistical information submitted through Canadian Arts Data / Données sur les arts au Canada (CADAC)
• financial statements for your organization’s last completed year, uploaded to CADAC
• support documents: a link to your website and samples of recent marketing materials

Complete instructions and requirements are in the application in Nova.

For information on how assessors rate applications see the Evaluation Rubric - Operating Programs.