GRANT GUIDELINES

Guidelines for Grant Seekers - 2008

This coming year, the Sunshine Coast Community Foundation will be awarding grants ranging from $500.00 - $2,000.00 to a number of worthwhile community projects.  We would like to support several initiatives in the following fields of interest:

      Arts, Culture & Heritage
      Children, Youth, Seniors & Family   
      Education
      Environment
      Health
      Social Development/Planning
      Sports & Recreation

If you are an organization with a project that may benefit youth, you may wish to also refer to the Youth Scoop Grants:
Youth Scoop Granting Guidelines
Youth Scoop Grant Application Form

As much as possible, the Foundation will make every attempt to balance the distribution of grants in the areas of:  fields of interest, geographical consideration and among age groups.

 GRANTING GUIDELINES

The concept of “community capacity building” is the cornerstone of our community grants program

Grant making for community capacity building occurs when proposals:

1.         build on the strengths and assets of a community or an organization, rather than on deficiencies and needs.

2.         include the involvement of several groups in the development and implementation of a project thereby instilling a broad sense of ownership.

3.         build on existing organizational strength.

4.         results encourage broad community support and participation.

5.         demonstrate clear outcomes.

6.         help create and strengthen community networks among neighbors and/or organizations.

7.         provide seed funding for initiatives that promote the active involvement of the general community.

 Our Environmental Grants will be available to assist organizations that are working towards:

    1.          protecting and preserving the habitat and biodiversity for our fragile

                 and unique Sunshine Coast ecosystems.

2.         protecting and improving the quality of our air, water and soil.

3.         encouraging stewardship of our private land,  water & shorelines

4.         educating the community on environmental and stewardship issues.
 

 Eligibility

In order to be eligible, the applying organization must: 

  1. be providing services which directly benefit the citizens of the Sunshine Coast
  2. be a federally registered charity under the Income Tax Act . (Those organizations applying who do not have federal charitable status, please refer to the following documents Statement re partnering with a registered charity and Template letter from a registered charity.)
  3. make services available without discrimination
  4. provide all information required pursuant to the “Letter of Interest” and the “Application Form”.
  5. demonstrate fiscal and managerial responsibility.
     

 Restrictions

Grants will not be made for:

  1. academic research
  2. tours or travel outside the community
  3. scholarships or fellowships
  4. activities of religious organizations that serve primarily their membership and/or their direct religious purposes
  5. political organizations
  6. general endowment
  7. core operating costs
  8. building campaigns
  9. operating or capital deficits
  10. individuals

Grants available from donor-advised funds administered by the Foundation are not necessarily restricted by these guidelines.

Application Process

The “Letter of Interest” must be submitted not later than March15th,2008

Organizations whose Letters of Interest describe projects which fit the Foundation’s guidelines will be contacted by March 31, 2008 and invited to submit an “Application Form” for a SCCF Community Grant.

The “Application Form” must contain the following: 

  1. an introduction to the organization, including the applicant’s complete contact information, federal charitable registration number (or partnering registered charity letter), list of board of directors and last years financial statements
  2. statement of the issues or community priorities that the project will address
  3. concise description of the activities/project to be undertaken
  4. start-up and completion dates
  5. project budget itemizing all potential and confirmed expenditures and revenues
  6. the amount of the grant requested from the Sunshine Coast Community Foundation

 Application deadline:  April 30, 2008

 Grants to be awarded in mid June, 2008

 The Sunshine Coast Community Foundation expects the following from grant recipients:

1.         approval from the SCCF  Board prior to any alterations in the project plan

2.         proper fiscal management

3.         recognition of the Foundation’s financial  support for your project

4.        an “Evaluation Report” within one year of receiving the grant.

 Failure to complete the Evaluation Report may exclude the applicant from receiving future grants.

 For further information phone us at 604-741-7360 or e-mail at sccfoundation@dccnet.com