Deadline: 15-Mar-21
The District of Sooke offers a Community Grants Program to contribute funding to local non-profit organizations who contribute to the well-being of the community. Its purpose is to define the parameters and guidelines of the District of Sooke community grant program and sponsorship requests.
This policy is designed to provide guidance to Council and staff regarding the administration of community grants and sponsorship funding requests, and to serve as a resource for organizations seeking District of Sooke community grant or sponsorship funding.
Objective
The District of Sooke may contribute to community projects, programs or events that improve the wellbeing of the District of Sooke community by providing funding in the form of a community grant. Community grants may be awarded to organizations that provide ongoing value to the community but are unable to rise all required funding without assistance from the District.
Focus Areas
Applications must demonstrate a benefit to the District of Sooke community in one or more of the following areas:
- Sports and recreation
- Fine Arts and culture
- Heritage
- Public safety
- Community development, including promotion and economic development
- Community beautification
- Environmental sustainability
Funding Information
Community grants may be awarded for any amount up to, but not exceeding $7,000 annually. A community grant exceeding $7,000 in any given year may only be awarded by a unanimous resolution of Council.
Eligibility Criteria
- Community grants may be awarded for any capital or operational expenses, except for travel costs, salaries, and benefits.
- Applicant must be a not-for-profit organization (incorporated under Society Act of BC) or an unincorporated group with demonstrated objectives that are not-for-profit or charitable in nature.
- Applicant must show a demonstrated financial need by submitting a copy of their last Financial Statement and completing the Budget Information included on the Community Grant Program Application Form.
- Organization must be located primarily within the District of Sooke or offer programs or events within the District of Sooke.
- Applications from organizations and events that cross municipal boundaries, but primarily benefit the District of Sooke, may also be referred to the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area Director and/or the Capital Regional District and/or the other benefitting municipality/municipalities for funding.
- Applications for assistance for projects that are the responsibility of other levels of government will not be considered. This provision does not preclude the District of Sooke from participating in joint funding with regional bodies, provincial or federal governments or agencies.
- Grant applications for banquets, conferences, tournaments, etc. will be considered only for regional, national or international events taking place in the District of Sooke.
- No application requests for funding to individuals will be considered.
- To eliminate indirect funding, a grant will not be issued to an organization that in turn issues grants to other organizations, unless the applicant can clearly demonstrate, to Council’s satisfaction, that grant monies received from the District of Sooke will not be used to fund grants to other organizations.
For more information, visit https://sooke.ca/i-want-to/apply/community-grant/
