COMMUNITY INITIATIVES FUND Application Guide for Community Grants

Transcription

1 Government of Saskatchewan COMMUNITY INITIATIVES FUND Application Guide for Community Grants What is the COMMUNITY INITIATIVES FUND? The COMMUNITY INITIATIVES FUND (CIF) was created by the Government of Saskatchewan to distribute a portion of casino profits to benefit Saskatchewan people and communities. The CIF is governed by The Saskatchewan Gaming Corporation Act. The CIF is managed and operated by a Board of Trustees consisting of people appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council. Sask Sport Inc. administers the Fund, on behalf of the Board, on a contract basis. The COMMUNITY INITIATIVES FUND supports many different community initiatives that benefit Saskatchewan people. The CIF provides up to $2 million per year for annual and summer grants in support of community programs and services targeted toward vulnerable children, youth, and families. While the annual grants are for programs and services that will be delivered throughout the year, the summer grants assist community organizations in providing summer programs and services that are to be delivered between May and September. What is the Saskatchewan Action Plan for Children? Saskatchewan s Action Plan for Children is a provincial strategy to enhance the wellbeing of children, youth and families and to provide a process of service integration. Saskatchewan's Action Plan for Children is a key part of the government's social policy agenda. The Action Plan acknowledges the importance of strong support for children in their early years, promotes the development of prevention and early intervention services and encourages collaborative approaches between communities and government to address the needs of children. The Action Plan focuses on prevention and early intervention, as opposed to crisis intervention. For more information on the Action Plan for Children, contact: Social Services, 1920 Broad Street, Regina, Saskatchewan, S4P 3V7; or access the information on the Internet at www:gov.sk.ca. What are the Prevention and Support Grants? Another government program that provides community grants and supports the Action Plan for Children is the Prevention and Support Grants. These grants are made possible by the pooling of interdepartmental funds from Saskatchewan Education, Health, Social Services, and Justice. Organizations interested in the Prevention and Support Grants should contact their Regional Intersectoral Committee on Human Services (for more information, call Andrea Brittin at ).

2 2 How does the CIF differ from the First Nations Fund? Like the CIF, the First Nations Fund (FNF) was established to distribute a portion of casino profits to benefit First Nations people and Indian Bands in Saskatchewan. The FNF is also governed by The Saskatchewan Gaming Corporation Act and is managed and operated by its own Board of Trustees. As indicated in the legislation, the FNF provides monies to support First Nations and on-reserve programs and services related to economic development, social development, justice initiatives, educational development, recreational facilities operation and development, senior and youth programs, cultural development, community infrastructure development and maintenance, health initiatives, and charitable purposes. How much CIF funding is available for Community Grants? Up to $2 million is available per year for the CIF community grants. Of the $2 million, approximately $1.5 million is available for annual grants and $.5 million for summer grants. For annual grants, there is no minimum or maximum amount. The amount is at the discretion of the CIF Board of Trustees and is reflective of regional priorities, the level of interest in the grant program, and the amount of funding available. For summer grants, up to $5000 per project may be available, subject to priorities and funding limitations established by the CIF Board of Trustees. Maximum limits may be set lower than $5000 per project to ensure maximum usage of the grant funds. In addition, due to limited funding, organizations may only receive funding for one annual grant and one summer grant in any given year. The annual and summer grants are not intended to be for projects that need to be supported year-after-year as ongoing programs. These grants are one-time in nature. Who can apply for funding? An application must be endorsed by at least two organizations that: - Are acting in partnership; - Are responsible for the program request; and - Will be involved in the development, implementation, and evaluation of the program. At least one of the organizations making the application must be an incorporated, not-for-profit community or voluntary organization. Organizations must satisfy the terms and conditions of any previous CIF funding agreement, including the evaluation and follow-up components, before receiving new CIF grants. Federal and provincial government organizations are not eligible for CIF grants.

3 3 What is eligible for funding? Eligible programs will: - Focus on human services that improve the education, health, and/or wellbeing of vulnerable children, youth, and families; - Where possible, actively involve those to whom the programs and services are to be provided, in the development, management, and delivery of the programs; - Be preventative in nature and address community-identified needs; - Demonstrate cultural sensitivity, reflecting input of the community; and - Be integrated and co-ordinated with other community programs and services of a similar nature. Ρ Positive early intervention programs and extensions, additions, or outreach to existing programs offering a different service may be considered for CIF funding. Eligible costs include: - Direct program related costs, such as program materials, minor equipment, salaries for program personnel; - Rent and utilities specifically related to program delivery; and - Any other direct program costs deemed appropriate by the Board of Trustees. Ineligible projects and costs include: - Projects that do not have at least 2 organizations acting in partnership and responsible for the program; - Programs that duplicate existing programs and services or that are currently funded through the Prevention and Support Grants; - Capital projects, such as the purchase or renovation of facilities (i.e. buildings, land, houses) or the purchase or repair of major equipment; - Federal or provincial government-delivered programs and services; - Salaries or expenses for any federal, provincial, or local government employees; and - Projects that are not directly delivered to, or are not related to building rural capacity to deliver services for, vulnerable children, youth, and families (for example, conducting studies or surveys, developing or maintaining web sites, training staff, delivering workshops to staff, attending conventions or conferences, and conducting research). What is the application process? Interested organizations can request application forms by contacting their Regional Inter-sectoral Committee or any of the following:

4 4 COMMUNITY INITIATIVES FUND 1870 Lorne Street Regina, Saskatchewan S4P 2L7 Attention: Rhonda Hanison or (fax) Culture, Youth and Recreation 4 th Floor Delta Hotel 1919 Saskatchewan Drive Regina, Saskatchewan S4P 3V or (fax) Applications for the annual grants will be reviewed and adjudicated three times per year. Completed applications must be received by the CIF office by June 1 st, November 1 st, and February 1 st of each year. Applications for the summer grants will be reviewed and adjudicated once a year. Completed applications must be received by the CIF office by March 1st of each year. Organizations should send completed application forms to: COMMUNITY INITIATIVES FUND Administrator 1870 Lorne Street Regina, Saskatchewan S4P 2L7 Attention: Rhonda Hanison How will the applications be evaluated? The Fund Administrator will ensure the completeness of all applications received and then send copies of the applications, by region, to the Regional Intersectoral Committees (RICs) (refer to the region map on the last page of guide). The RICs will review the applications and make their recommendations from a regional perspective in the context of the eligibility and evaluation criteria. The evaluation will be based primarily on the information provided in the application form. The RICs will also consider, in relation to regional priorities, such aspects as: integration or co-ordination with other services, innovation, needs being met, community development, as well as the merits of proposed programs and projects. The RICs will send their recommendations to the Fund Administrator on behalf of the CIF Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees will consider all applications, in conjunction with the RICs recommendations, and make its decisions. The evaluation criteria include: 1. Community support the display of community support and partnerships for and participation in the program; the programs should also be supported by donations, in-kind contributions, or volunteer time from the community. 2. Program effectiveness indication that the program should provide tangible services, have real life outcomes, be preventive in nature, benefit a significant number of vulnerable individuals, and be based on community needs.

5 5 3. Program integration and co-ordination indication of the geographical area and population base that the program will be offered to; and, display that there has been co-ordination and integration to maximize outcomes and to avoid duplication of similar or existing programs and services within the geographical area. 4. Funding co-ordination demonstration that there has been co-ordination of CIF funding with other funding sources. 5. Priority areas Programs should satisfy at least one of the following priority areas for vulnerable children, youth, and family: a) Family violence prevention programs that reflect a balance between residential and outreach services in the community; b) Health programs designed for prevention and early intervention; c) Social services prevention programs; d) Justice-related education programs and services for children and youth in the areas of crime prevention and early intervention; e) Integrated sport, culture, and recreation programs and services that serve vulnerable youth, children, and families; and f) School-based projects that assist the school and community to forge partnerships to address the complex and diverse needs of vulnerable students. What can be expected once a decision is reached? Within 6 weeks of the above application dates, each organization will be notified, in writing, from the CIF Board of Trustees of the outcome of its request for funding and of the timing of the payment. Organizations will be required to report statistics regarding program participants, program accomplishments, and final program costs by completing and submitting a detailed Follow-up Report within 60 days of program completion for all approved CIF community grants; For organizations receiving grants of $1000 or greater, they will be required to submit either a photocopy of actual receipts, payroll records, and cancelled cheques or an audited financial statement for the actual program expenditures. For organizations receiving grants less than $1000, they should maintain accurate records and actual receipts in the event that they are asked to submit them to support their Follow-up Report. Original documents and receipts should be kept by the grant recipient. Unused CIF funds, or funds used for purposes other than what was approved, must be returned to the COMMUNITY INITIATIVES FUND. If an organization is dissatisfied with the Board of Trustees decision with respect to its request for funding, the organization may appeal, in writing, to the Board. The appeal needs to indicate why the Board should reconsider its decision. The Board will respond to an appeal, in writing, within 6 weeks from receiving it. Application Guide - June 22, 2009

6 Government of Saskatchewan COMMUNITY INITIATIVES FUND Application Form Community Grants (Annual and Summer) 1. Grant Application Select only one grant and indicate amount requested: Annual grant Summer grant Amount requested: $ 2. Applicant Information Name of Organization: Address: Postal Code: Non-Profit Number: Chairperson: Phone Number: Contact Person: Phone Number: Fax Number: Address: Partner Organization: Address: Postal Code: Non-Profit Number: Chairperson: Phone Number: Contact Person: Phone Number: Fax Number: Address: 3. Program Overview Program Title: Project Start Date: Completion Date: Program Frequency: Total Program Cost:

7 4. Program Description 2 Program Description: Describe the vulnerable target group that the program is to be delivered to (i.e. size of group, gender, age, aboriginal ancestry): Program Objectives: 5. Evaluation Criteria The evaluation of the program will be based primarily on the information provided on the application form. Therefore, you are encouraged to address the following criteria as completely as possible (include attachments if necessary): a) Community support Indicate the community support and partnerships for and participation in the program. List the other support (i.e. donations, in-kind contributions, or volunteer time from the community) for the program and how much using fair market values or hours. b) Program effectiveness Indicate how the program will provide tangible services, will have real life outcomes, is preventive in nature, will benefit a significant number of vulnerable individuals, and is be based on community needs. c) Program integration and co-ordination Indicate the geographical area and population base that the program will be offered to; and, indicate what

8 co-ordination and integration has occurred to maximize outcomes and avoid duplication of similar or existing programs and services within the geographical area. 3 d) Funding co-ordination Indicate what co-ordination has occurred with other funding sources. e) Priority areas Indicate which of the following priority areas for vulnerable children, youth, and family the program addresses and explain how: Family violence prevention programs that reflect a balance between residential and outreach services in the community; Health programs designed for prevention and early intervention; Social services prevention programs; Justice-related education programs and services for children and youth in the areas of crime prevention and early intervention; Integrated sport, culture, and recreation programs and services that serve vulnerable youth, children, and families; School-based projects that assist the school and community to forge partnerships to address the complex and diverse needs of vulnerable students Explain how the program addresses the priority area(s): 6. Program Results Explain how you will measure and report the results of your program: Will you share the results of your evaluation, experiences, and any resources or models developed? Yes No

9 4 7. Program Summary Budget Please attach a detailed budget to support this summary: Income: Amount Cash donations $ Funding raising & other grants $ In-kind contributions (non-cash please list) $ Volunteer time (hours x minimum wage) $ Other sources (please list) $ Total Income $ Expenditures: (identify in-kind expenditures with an *) Amount Program materials (please list) $ Minor equipment (please list) $ Staff salaries $ Staff benefits $ Building rent (portion related to program) $ Utilities (portion related to program) $ Other direct program related expenditures (please list): $ 1. $ 2. $ 3. $ Total program expenditures $ Projected surplus/(deficit) without CIF funding $ COMMUNITY INITIATIVES FUND (requested amount) $ 8. Other Funding Requests Name of Organization/Fund Amount requested Amount received

10 9. Additional Comments or Information Information Certification I hereby certify that the information contained in this application is accurate and complete. Signature of Organization s Chairperson Date Print Name AND Signature of Partnering Organization s Chairperson Date Print Name Please mail completed application to: COMMUNITY INITIATIVES FUND Administrator 1870 Lorne Street Regina, Sask. S4P 2L7 Attn: Rhonda Hanison Application Form August 22, 2000