Grants Program Principles

These Principles are not Council policy but will provide applicants with a general outline of how the District has dealt with Grants in previous years.

General Principles and Criteria:
The District of Sechelt supports the enhancement of a positive quality of life for all its residents, and one means of helping to achieve this goal is through an annual grants-in-aid program.

Consideration for the award of grants will be given to non-profit or registered charitable organizations and/or groups which:

• offer projects, programs, services or events which have a demonstrated need in the community and which provide benefits to Sechelt residents;
  
• exercise co-ordination, co-operation and collaboration with other groups to prevent duplication of projects, programs, services or events;
  
• are guided by a strong and committed board, dedicated to fiscal responsibility, professionalism and effectiveness;
  
• seek and receive funding from a variety of sources so as not to be solely dependent on the District for funding;
  
• promote volunteer participation and citizen involvement;
  
• use new approaches and techniques in the solution of community needs.

Funding may be considered for occasional and extraordinary service or function requests that have community support and would improve the quality of life in the District.

Not all organizations meeting the basic criteria will automatically receive a grant or grant increase.

Approval of a grant by the District one year does not ensure that grant requests in subsequent years will be successful.

Definitions:

Projects
One time only projects that will help prevent or respond to health, social and cultural needs within Sechelt may be eligible for a grant. The project must have a specific set of goals and objectives, and have a defined start and finish date.

Programs and Services
Ongoing programs and services which contribute to the health and social well-being of Sechelt residents, or are deemed to be contributing to the general interest and advantage of the District, may be eligible for a grant.

Events
Special events that enhance and contribute to Sechelt's cultural life and promote community involvement and spirit may be eligible for a grant. The events must have a defined start and finish date, but may also be held annually.

Council Discretion
Council may, at its discretion, award grants to groups which offer a service deemed of value to the District, or to community committees, whose mandate is to function for the good of the District and its residents.

Exclusions From Eligibility for District Grant
The following are specifically excluded from funding under the District's grants-in-aid program:

• Applications from individuals.
  
• Religious organizations that serve primarily their membership and/or their direct religious purposes.
  
• Activities of ethno-cultural organizations that serve primarily their membership and/or their specific ethnic promotion.
  
• Annual fund-raising campaigns, form letter requests or telephone campaigns.
  
• Building funds or capital construction campaigns.
  
• Aid to endowment funds.
  
• Debt retirement or reserves.

Process
Finance Committee will normally consider all Grants without receiving further representation from your organization. After Grants are announced, Finance Committee may hear appeals from organizations that feel they have been dealt with unfairly.