Deadline: 15-Jun-2020
The Public Conservation Assistance Fund (PCAF) is a granting program offered by the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation that provides small grants to organizations and individuals who have a conservation project in mind but need financial help to make it happen. The Foundation welcomes the opportunity to help carry out conservation work in your community.
PCAF proposals must align with HCTF’s trust purposes as described in the Wildlife Act. PCAF projects must focus on activities that maintain, conserve or restore native (indigenous) fish and wildlife species and their habitats. Projects that have long-range benefits, involve many volunteers, offer opportunities for organizational capacity building, raise community awareness and that are involved in conservation are preferred.
Preferred PCAF projects are those that:
- have long-range benefits,
- involve as many volunteers as possible,
- offer opportunities for organizational capacity building, and
- raise community awareness and involvement in conservation
Funding Information
- PCAF will fund eligible expenses up to $10,000 in any one year.
- You must match the requested funds by contributing a combination of volunteer labour (credited at $15 per hour), materials, or other allowable donations.
- At least half of your matching funds must be made up of volunteer labour.
- To assist as many groups as possible PCAF grants are modest, averaging about $2,500 each.
- The maximum total amount available over the life of a PCAF project is $20,000.
Eligibility Criteria
- Projects must be of a conservation nature, with priority given to projects that focus on activities that maintain, conserve or restore native (indigenous) freshwater fish and wildlife species and their habitats.
- Some examples of PCAF projects and activities that have funded include:
- building and installing bird nest boxes
- planting shrubs
- tagging / monitoring animals
- restoring riparian areas
- restoring grasslands
- building waterfowl nesting floats and boxes
- fencing to protect sensitive or restored areas
- improving habitat for freshwater fishes
- replanting forage species for ungulates to improve winter range
Some types of projects or activities are ineligible for PCAF funding, including but not limited to:
- Lecture series or conventions
- Photographic and film documentaries
- Promotion of business opportunities
- Activities required for ongoing maintenance
- Payment of wages (except for contracted equipment or special expertise required in the field, e.g., a biologist, restoration specialist, etc. See “Other Considerations and Responsibilities” section for more requirements on special expertise.)
- Vehicle mileage (note that fuel costs can be covered)
- Salmon-only or marine projects that do not demonstrate clear benefits to freshwater species or their habitats
- Administrative costs (ex. rent, utilities, etc.)
- Hatchery activities
- Design costs for newsletters and websites (printing costs for newsletters are eligible)
- Routine courses such as First Aid, Small Vessel Operation, etc.
Considerations
- Grant applications must be approved before commencing your project. PCAF will not fund project activities retroactively.
- Grant Funds may only be used on the approved project.
- A mandatory letter of support from your regional Provincial Fish and wildlife biologist is required.
- If you are requesting funds to pay for special expertise, please include justification for any expert costs and time (i.e. explain what they will be doing and why they are essential to deliver the project). Preference will be given to projects where no more than 25% of the total PCAF request is going to a single expert (multiple experts may be acceptable with sufficient rationale). Note that regular wages for project coordinators are not eligible for PCAF funding.
- It is your responsibility to ensure that all authorization documents, licenses, and permits are obtained before commencing work. For example, if your project involves working near or on the water then you must apply for a water rights license from the Regional Water Management Branch in the district in which the project is to occur.
- Any employees, volunteers or agents working on the Project must be competent, properly trained and instructed, and exercise a standard of care as required to undertake and successfully complete the Project.
- You must ensure that all health and safety standards are met.
For more information, visit https://hctf.ca/grants/pcaf-grants/#overview
