Deadline: 1-Nov-23
SaskCulture is currently accepting applications for the Museum Grant Program (MGP) that provides operational funding to help foster strong, vibrant, community-based Saskatchewan museums that are valued and supported by society.
This funding enables museums to focus on excellence in their programs and operations and to contribute to the understanding of the world and the place in it – the past, the present, and the future.
Purpose
- MGP supports applicants who demonstrate:
- Strong Governance and Strategic Development
- Follow good governance practices;
- Develop and monitor long-term goals;
- Demonstrate a link between public consultation, planned programs, their impact, and the results of the evaluation;
- Value training and learning opportunities for staff and volunteers;
- Follow the Standards for Saskatchewan Museums;
- Valued Programming
- Deliver meaningful activities, programs and services that are valued by the public;
- Community Connections
- Are welcoming and inclusive;
- Collaborate through networks and partnerships;
- Value community involvement and actively engages the public;
- Responsible Use of Resources and Risk Management Practices
- Demonstrate a realistic and responsible use of resources (funds, volunteers, etc.); and
- Demonstrate a link between planned activities and the museum’s budget.
- Strong Governance and Strategic Development
Priorities
- Priority will be given to:
- The equitable distribution of MGP funds across the province;
- Museums that provide increased participation opportunities for people who live in rural areas and the Northern District for Sport, Culture and Recreation;
- Museums that provide increased participation opportunities for First Nations and Métis peoples, young people, and Newcomers;
- Indigenous, ethno-cultural or multicultural museums.
Funding Streams
- Stream One
- Stream One offers a simplified application that can cover 100% of the applicant’s annual eligible expenses up to a maximum of $5,000. No financial contribution from the applicant is required. This stream is best suited for applicants seeking a less intensive, more capacity-friendly granting process. All first-time applicants to MGP must apply to Stream One.
- Applicants who have successfully applied to Stream One tend to:
- Be primarily volunteer-run (although they may have paid summer students)
- Be open for only part of the year
- Have budgets that range from $1,500 to $65,000
- Stream Two
- Stream Two covers 50% of the applicant’s annual eligible expenses up to a maximum of $15,000. A 50% matching contribution from the applicant is required. For example, if an applicant requests $15,000 from MGP, they must also be able to contribute a minimum of $15,000 from sources other than Saskatchewan Lotteries. To avoid the potential of a grant return, it is recommended that you request an amount that the museum can realistically match. Building in a buffer amount may help ensure that a grant return is not required.
- Applicants who have successfully applied to Stream Two tend to:
- Have a paid staff person or strong volunteer base/board with the capacity to fulfill grant requirements
- Be open for only part of the year
- Have budgets that range from $30,000 to $115,000
- Stream Three
- Stream Three covers 50% of the applicant’s annual eligible expenses up to a maximum of $30,000. A 50% matching contribution from the applicant is required. For example, if an applicant requests $30,000 from MGP, they must also be able to contribute a minimum of $30,000 from sources other than Saskatchewan Lotteries. To avoid the potential of a grant return, it is recommended that you request an amount that the museum can realistically match. Building in a buffer amount may help ensure that a grant return is not required.
- Applicants who have successfully applied to Stream Three tend to:
- Have at least one paid, full-time staff person
- Be open year-around
- Have a strategic plan in place
- Have budgets that range from $125,000 to $500,000+
Eligibility Criteria
- A Registered Non-Profit organization based in Saskatchewan. Registered non-profit museums have a non-profit entity number and file financial statements as well as a Saskatchewan Nonprofit Corporations Annual Return with Information Services Corporation (ISC) annually, in order to maintain their non-profit status.
- A non-profit museum applicant must:
- be in existence as a registered non-profit for at least one full fiscal year;
- have a primarily cultural mandate in Arts, Heritage, Multiculturalism or Cultural Industries as defined by SaskCulture’s Cultural Policy, or otherwise demonstrate significant engagement in cultural activity;
- be in good standing with Information Services Corporation (ISC);
- have no outstanding grant follow-ups due to SaskCulture; and
- provide a copy of the organization’s signed annual financial statement that was most recently submitted to the Information Services Corporation (ISC) to show evidence of good standing as a non-profit organization in Saskatchewan. Ensure the financial statement has been signed by two authorized signatories (i.e. board members).
- A Saskatchewan museum that was established through a Municipal Bylaw or Band Council Resolution. Under this structure, the Municipality or First Nation is financially responsible for the museum. Please note that if SaskCulture.
- Applicants where the Municipality or First Nation is financially responsible must:
- be in good standing with the Saskatchewan Lotteries Community Grant Program;
- have no outstanding grant follow-ups due to SaskCulture;
- provide a copy of the museum’s most recent annual financial statement. Ensure the financial statement has been signed by an authorized signatory. For museums where the First Nation or Municipality is financially responsible for the museum, a representative from the First Nation or Municipality who has the authority to sign on behalf of your organization should provide an authorization; and
- provide a copy of the Municipal Bylaw or Band Council Resolution that established the museum, if one is not already on file with SaskCulture.
Ineligibility Criteria
- Ineligible Organizations are those that are:
- Part of a federal or provincial operation and/or Crown Corporation;
- Receive more than 50 percent of its total revenues from the Saskatchewan Lotteries Trust Fund (SLTF). (Exception: Stream One funding applicants may receive up to 100% of their funding from the SLTF to a maximum of $5,000);
- Receive operational funding directly from the Culture Section of Saskatchewan Lotteries Trust Fund; and/or
- Receive funding directed by the Government of Saskatchewan.
Deadlines
- November 1, 2023 (Stream 2 & 3)
- December 1, 2023 (Stream 1)
For more information, visit SaskCulture.