OF LETHBRIDGE AND SOUTHWESTERN ALBERTA
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
General Criteria for Grant Eligibility
- In general, grants are restricted to organizations and projects that benefit the residents of Lethbridge and other Southwestern Alberta communities.
- Grants are approved for needs not normally met by other funding sources.
- Grants are approved for one-time capital costs such as equipment purchase, facility construction and renovation projects; or one-time operating costs such as a pilot project, awareness program, or the initial phase of a program which will be funded in the future from other sources.
- It is intended that grants benefit the greatest community need i.e. most benefit to most people affected by the project.
- The selection committee encourages submissions that inspire significant community change by:
- Addressing root causes through an innovative and practical approach to a problem; contributing
new understandings
- Filling a gap in community programs or responses
- Promoting collaboration and sharing among agencies
- Strengthening organizational capacity or sustainability
- Please note that, with the possible exception of projects less than $2000, the Foundation does not usually provide 100% funding. The Foundation looks for an investment by your own organization, contributions from the community and support from other funding sources. For major projects, we wish to see the work underway, so that a Foundation grant can provide further leverage for your organization.
- An organization may not receive grants in two consecutive years.
- Only "qualified donees" as defined by the Income Tax Act [Canada] are eligible to receive Foundation grants. The definition of qualified donees does not include organizations that are deemed "societies" under the Alberta Societies Act, unless those organizations are also federally registered charities with a BN number. If you are in doubt about your organization's status, please telephone the Foundation Office at 403-328-5297.
Qualified non-profit organizations can find their CRA BN number using this search at the CRA website: http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/chrts-gvng/lstngs/menu-eng.html
Application Process
Any organization that meets the eligibility requirements is able to apply for a general community impact grant. Applications are not currently being accepted for specific funds or fields of interest.
Organizations that are interested in pursuing a grant, are encouraged to discuss with the staff the potential project, before undertaking the application process. The foundation staff will review inquiries as they are received and will be able to advise the applicant on the application process.
If an application is being submitted for a project in excess of $10,000, it is strongly advised that the application be discussed in advance with the foundation staff. Contact George Hall by phone at 403-328-5297 or by email at office@cflsa.ca
Only complete applications will be considered, this includes a completed grant application form, financial statements for the last complete year, operating budget for the current year and a list of current Board members or organization representatives. Please do not submit any promotional material of the organization.
Evaluation Process
The Grants Distribution Committee reviews each application over the two months following the application deadline. Applicant organizations may be contacted by a committee member for further information, or a site visit.
Successful applicants
Successful applicants will be contacted by the staff and a grant agreement will be prepared. Once the agreement is signed and returned to the foundation, the grant will be disbursed.
The Community Foundation of Lethbridge and Southwestern Alberta expects the following from all grant recipients:
- activities will reflect those described in the application form
- approval from the Community Foundation of Lethbridge and Southwestern Alberta prior to any alterations in plan
- proper fiscal management
- thorough and well-planned project evaluation
- project dissemination plan and activities, where appropriate
- a final report after project completion [financial and descriptive]
- public recognition of the support received from the Community Foundation of Lethbridge and Southwestern Alberta
Foundation staff appreciate the opportunity to make site visits. In some cases we may ask to follow-up on a project for use in one of our publications or on our website [www.cflsa.ca].
Public Recognition from Grant Recipients
Effective recognition of grants distributed by the Community Foundation of Lethbridge and Southwestern Alberta helps ensure that the broader community is aware of how we support the charitable sector. This awareness helps generate more donations and in turn, more grants to community organizations like yours.
Appropriate recognition can include :
- use of the foundation's name and logo on all printed materials
- creating a link to the foundation website from your organization's website
- commemorative signage at events
- acknowledgment of support in interviews, presentations or reports about the project
Please download the logo (.png) you wish to use and do not alter. If you require a different format please contact the foundation at office@cflsa.ca
The Community Foundation of Lethbridge and Southwestern Alberta is a "360 degree grant maker", supporting eligible organizations of all sizes in all sectors. If your organization is interested in applying for a grant, it must meet the foundation's eligibility criteria and follow the application instructions as outlined below. If a grant is received the recipient must agree to submit a follow up report and must recognize the foundation as agreed before accepting the grant. We are unable to make as many grants as are requested due to the volume of applications received, so we are unable to guarantee any application will be accepted.
Downloads & Links
www.cflsa.ca
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Updated November 2011
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office@cflsa.ca 403.328.5297 404 8th St South
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Community Grants Spring 2012
Application deadline is February 15, 2012.
New as of Fall 2011, each grant recipient must submit a community impact story as part of grant recognition.
Applications by
School Districts
[Individual schools
must apply through the school district]
Applications by
Municipal Organizations
Municipalities are qualified applicants under the Income Tax Act and may apply in conjunction with non-registered charities providing municipal community services such as libraries, museums, etc.
Applications by
Registered Charities
Organizations must have Registered Charitable Status with the Canada Revenue Agency [CRA]
Applying for a Grant
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