Canada’s sesquicentennial is an historic moment with the power to bring people and places together as we dream big about our communities and our country.  In the spirit of this moment, the Community Fund for Canada’s 150th will activate a breathtaking array of ideas and activities that will bring out the best that Canada has to offer, now and for future generations.

The Community Fund for Canada’s 150th is a small grants program that will support community initiatives from coast to coast to coast.  The Fund is a collaboration between Canada’s community foundations, the Government of Canada, and extraordinary leaders from coast to coast to coast.

The fund is based on grassroots leadership, and will take on a local focus and timeline in each community.  For more information on the involvement of The Minnedosa and District Foundation in the Community Fund for Canada’s 150th, contact Jean Garbolinsky at 204-867-2372.  Application date is July 1, 2016 to September 30, 2016.

In collaboration with the Community Fund for Canada’s 150th, the Minnedosa and District Foundation will consider applications for grants of up to $15,000 from projects that meet the following eligibility criteria:

A.  Eligible projects must be based in Canada, and must work towards the fund’s objectives to:

• ENCOURAGE participation in community activities and events to mark Canada’s 150th anniversary of Confederation;
• INSPIRE a deeper understanding about the people, places and events that shape our country and our communities; or
• BUILD vibrant and healthy communities with the broadest possible engagement of all Canadians, including indigenous peoples; groups that reflect our cultural diversity; youth, and official language minorities.

B.  Eligible projects are required to match the grant requested, through in-kind or cash contributions equal to the value of the grant.

For example, an applicant that requests a $2000 grant for a project would be required to come to the table with $2000 worth of cash or in-kind support for their own project. Cash contributions may come from other funding sources; in-kind contributions may include volunteer hours or other resources that are not covered by the requested grant.

C. Eligible projects must commit to performing funded activities and expenditures between the date that the grant is approved and before January 31, 2018.

In addition to the above criteria, the Minnedosa and Distict Foundation will be looking to grant “for example” to projects that engage youth, etc.

Please note that the following projects will be ineligible for funding:

• Projects related to political activities or lobbying
• Projects that are designed for fundraising purposes
• Projects deemed controversial, dismissive, or offensive
• Ongoing activities, such as the publication of regular issues of newsletters magazines and periodicals
• Any activity taking place outside Canada
• Projects that are funded in whole or in part by the Government of Canada

Who can apply?

The Community Fund for Canada’s 150th is available to qualified donees operating within Canada, with the exception of the federal, provincial, and territorial governments; the United Nations and the crown.

Community groups and other actors are welcome to work with a qualified donee to make an application to the fund.  In the case of such a collaboration, the qualified donee would submit the application and act as a fiscal agent on behalf of the collaborating parties.

When can I apply?

The Minnedosa and District Foundation will be accepting applications for the Community Fund for Canada’s 150th during the following application period:

July 1, 2016 – September 30, 2016

How do I apply?

Apply to the Community Foundation by clicking through the link below:

APPLY HERE: (link to http://www.communityfoundations.ca/cfc150)

The information gathered through the application process will not be made public, and will be shared with community foundations and the Government of Canada exclusively for purposes related to the fund.