Pat Cope, ED of the Family Resource Centre of Invermere and Pat Conway, Chairman, accept cheque for Safety in Relationships Program

CVCF Board Member Don Miller presenting cheque to the Windermere Valley Child Care Society, Manager Arlee Romane accepting cheque for new flooring.

Policy

Through its grant program, the Columbia Valley Community Foundation (CVCF) supports projects which enhance the quality of life of the residents of the Columbia Valley, from Canal Flats to Spillimacheen.

Grants are made only to organizations which are registered as charities with Canada Customs and Revenue Agency. An organization that is not a Registered Charity can only be considered eligible by CVCF if it has established a partnership or agency relationship with a Registered Charity, who would receive the funds for the proposed project from CVCF. For further information on becoming a Registered Charity or on establishing an agency relationship please contact the Charities Directorate, Revenue Canada. A copy of the guidelines can also be obtained from CVCF.

All applications are considered on merit and in light of funds available for distribution. Projects that have previously received funding from CVCF have less chance of approval.

Generally, grants are available only for needs that are not met by other funding sources.
Guidelines

Grants from the CVCF are awarded on a semi-annual basis in the spring and fall of each year.

Organizations seeking funds must demonstrate a strong and committed volunteer Board of Directors, fiscal responsibility, and effective management of resources.

Grants are awarded for definite purposes and for projects covering a specific period of time. They are generally for $2,000 or less, but applications for an amount in excess of this guideline may be considered. The Columbia Valley Community Foundation is still a young foundation. We look forward to the future when more sizable amounts of funding will be available to the community.

Small identifiable components of capital projects may be considered.

The following are not normally eligible for grants: 

• annual fund drives
• core operating expenses
• building campaigns
• deficit reduction
• direct religious activities
• institutions’ statutory programs
• individuals
• political activities
• travel costs
• retroactive funding

Procedures

You are asked to discuss your project with a designated board member before submitting an application.

Your agency may be invited to make a presentation to the CVCF. A representative of your project is expected to attend the CVCF AGM. The CVCF may decide that a site visit is necessary.

The Board of Directors of the CVCF decides all grant applications. You will be advised by letter of the decision. The letter will outline the terms and conditions of any grant.
NOTE: Any proposed alterations to an approved project must be presented in writing to CVCF for approval.

In submitting your application, ensure that you have:

1. attached financial statements for the last complete year
2. filled in all requested information regarding your organization
3. been clear about the amount requested
4. been specific on what the grant will be used for
5. been clear on how this expenditure will be used to meet new or
6. emerging needs or supplement current needs
7. included clear guidelines as to how you propose your project will become self sustaining

listed precisely how you plan to evaluate the effectiveness of this grant in achieving your stated objectives. The CVCF expects that you will file an interim or final report within six months of receiving the grant. Failure to comply with this requirement will be taken into account in dealing with any future requests for funds.

You may reproduce the above information and the application form for your use.