City of Kelowna announces Professional Operating Grants Program

Deadline: 17-Dec-21

The City of Kelowna has announced the applications for Professional Operating Grants Program to provide consistent and reliable annual support to professional, established non-profit arts and cultural organizations which provide impactful, quality programs and services, demonstrate sustainable operations, and contribute to the realization of their cultural vision, principals and goals.

The City of Kelowna’s Active Living & Culture Division administers a number of grant programs and services for the community which:

encourage active healthy lifestyles
build strong neighbourhoods
nurture lifelong participation in sport
enhance cultural vibrancy
facilitate development of events
enhance social sustainability
support effective management and operation of sport, recreation and cultural facilities

Objectives

This program aims to provide consistent and reliable annual support to professional, established non-profit arts and cultural organizations which provide impactful, quality programs and services, demonstrate sustainable operations and contribute to the realization of the City’s cultural vision. Organizations in this program are involved in the production of artistic works by professional artists, primarily local.

Organization profile: Organizations participating in this program are Kelowna-based, established, professional nonprofit arts organizations that have a mission to develop, create, produce, present and disseminate artistic work in any artistic discipline.

Eligibility Criteria

To participate in this program, the organization must:

be a registered non-profit society or a registered charity with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and be registered for at least five (5) years at the time of the application deadline,
be physically located, have an active presence and have programs and services delivered within the City of Kelowna for at least three (3) years at the time of the application deadline,
have an established body of high quality work with a track record of consistent delivery and demand,
have a clear and relevant mission and long-term goals and strategies represented in an organization strategic plan,
have received at least two (2) consecutive General Operating Program Grants from City of Kelowna Cultural Services,
compensate professional artists and arts professionals at standard rates,
have an independent Board of Directors composed of volunteers and representative of its mission and audience. Directors must:
- Meet the minimum statutory requirements imposed by the relevant incorporation statute (i.e. BC Societies Act);
- Not be remunerated for their services as Director (except for reimbursement of reasonable expenses) nor hold concurrent staff positions; and
- Function in a governance role and be active in policy, planning, legal and fiduciary responsibilities.
have full-time professional and paid leadership (artistic and administrative) – minimum 1 FTE,
have well-developed administrative systems, including financial, human resources and communications, and
have financial resources and practices including: o Sustained average annual cash budget of at least $200,000;
- Diverse income including earned revenue, private sector sponsorships, donations and public sector support;
- Independently-prepared professional financial statements (audit or review engagement).