Apply For a Grant

2012 Granting Cycle is NOW OPEN!

There are two different application programs for 2012:

  1. the new Bursary Application Program
  2. the traditional Grant Application Program for charities

Bursaries Are Available in 2012

2012 will be the first year that the Community Foundation accepts applications for bursaries.  Two new endowment funds have been established to support the educational goals of deserving students.  If you are a student (or potential student) seeking financial support please go to this page.

Grant Applications for Charities

The Community Foundation is pleased to open the 2012 Granting Cycle.  In 2011, the Foundation provided $169,000 in granting to charities throughout the South Okanagan.  This brings the total granting over the last 20 years to more than $850,000.

Charities within the boundaries of the RDOS are encouraged to apply for a grant between December 2, 2011 and February 6, 2012.

Deadline for applications: February 6, 2012

Here is the application form.  It is a fillable pdf file which you can save and print.  NOTE: Adobe Reader is required.  You can download it here.

Here are the Funding Guidelines.  Please read them carefully!

Please feel free to contact Aaron McRann, Executive Director, of the Community Foundation to discuss your project in advance.  Doing this will likely save all of us a lot of time!

2011 Grant Recipients are reminded that they will be ineligible for a grant in 2012 if the terms of the 2011 grant have not been fulfilled.

Charitable Status Required

One of our obligations to Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is that we must grant to “qualified donees”, which typically means a registered charity (here’s CRA’s full definition of “qualified donees”).  Non-profit status is not enough.  If you are uncertain about your status you can check it here.

If you are NOT a registered charity there is still a chance of receiving money, but it requires that you have a “sponsoring agency” that is a registered charity.  It’s important to note that CRA requires that the relationship between the sponsoring agency and the applicant must be “real” and “pre-existing”.  You cannot fabricate a relationship for the sake of receiving a grant.

In addition to CRA’s requirements, the Foundation requires that all sponsoring agencies complete our 2012 Agency Sponsorship Application.

How to Apply for a Grant

Please download the pdf application form and read it carefully.  All applications must be completed using the official application form. The form can be filled out electronically using Adobe Reader.  You can also save the completed form to your computer for your records.

Electronic submissions will not be accepted!  Please follow submission guidelines carefully.

Supplemental material (other than what is requested in the application) is discouraged unless it is absolutely critical to understanding the project.  It is recommended that you contact Aaron McRann before submitting supplemental material with your application.

2011 Granting Summary

A total of $326,000 in applications were received from 41 applicants.

$104,000 was allocated through the Granting Process.  In total, $169,000 was granted to charities in the South Okanagan, included all designated and agency granting.

Check out some of our great granting stories.