AM 1.4.9 Community Grants Policy

1.   This program governs grants to community organizations and charities.

2.   Enacted pursuant to Section 65, Municipal Government Act, as amended.

3.   Subject to annual review and at the discretion of Municipal Council, the general operating budget shall annually provide for grants to community organizations and charities.  Total funding shall be determined by Council on an annual basis and shall not normally exceed .8 percent of the taxes for general municipal purposes levied by the municipality for that year.

4.   ELIGIBILITY

a) The following organizations may submit an application for a community grant:

·   non-profit organization (under specific acts as identified within Subsection 65 (au) of the Municipal Government Act);

·   non-profit society (Nova Scotia Registry of Joint Stocks); or

·   registered Canadian charitable organization (Canada Revenue Agency).

b) Only one application per organization can be submitted under this policy in each funding year.

c) Applications are evaluated on the proposed project or service, not the sponsoring organization.

d) No project / initiative shall be considered for funding beyond three consecutive years.

e) The County reserves the right to deny any application deemed not within its mandate.

f)  The deadline for grant applications is March 1st.  Applications received after this date will be evaluated subject to available funds remaining in the program.

g) The County of Annapolis will not consider requests for which there are general (mass) appeals or marketing campaigns.

h) Each application received shall be reviewed by staff to ensure it meets the eligibility criteria prior to being submitted to Municipal Council for their consideration to approve grant funding.

5.   FUNDING CATEGORIES

Applications shall be considered for funding under the following categories:

a)      Community Programs Assistance Fund – to provide funds to non-profit community organizations to initiate or develop programs which support the delivery of municipal services or provide services to enhance community well-being and the quality of life.  Grant awards are normally in the $500 to $1,000 range.  Maximum assistance shall be up to 50% of the annual program cost to a maximum of $2,000.  Grant applicants should be able to demonstrate active fundraising efforts to support the continuation of the program.  No organization may receive funding for more than one program within any fiscal year. [MGA § 65 (au)].

b)     Marketing and Promotion Partnership Programs – to provide funds to non-profit societies to advertise or promote business, industrial and tourism opportunities in the county. Priority shall be given for initiatives which:

·         are in keeping with the strategic goals of the municipality;

·         provide a substantial regional benefit; and

·         promote and support meaningful partnerships and linkages within the community.

Maximum grants shall not normally exceed $5,000. [MGA § 65 (l) and (ah)]

c)      Community Heritage Grants for Lighthouses and Museums – to provide funds to non-profit or charitable organizations to:

·         preserve, protect or rehabilitate lighthouses in the County of Annapolis;

·         protect or promote the heritage and culture of the County of Annapolis; or

·         leverage senior government funding for heritage and cultural initiatives.

Maximum grants shall not normally exceed $500. [MGA § 65 (au)]

d)     Community Halls and Centres Assistance Program – to provide funding to non-profit / charitable organizations or to trustees for property held for public use, to assist with:

·         capital maintenance or repairs;

·         facility upgrade or development;

·         installation or replacement of fixtures, appliances or equipment;

·         leverage of senior government funding.

The facility must be used for activities of a recreational, educational, environmental, cultural, community, or social nature and accessible for use by the general public.  Religious sanctuaries, schools or facilities that are not available to the general public are not eligible to apply.  Maximum grants shall not normally exceed $1,200. At the discretion of Municipal Council, a facility may be eligible for a grant of up to $2,400 if it exceeds 2,000 square feet in size. [MGA § 65 (ah)]

Trails Assistance Program – to provide funding to established trails organizations to develop and operate public trails to serve the needs of all residents within the County of Annapolis.  Eligible funding projects shall include capital projects relating to development, operation or maintenance of trails.  Although no specific project may be funded in excess of three (3) years, trails organizations are encouraged to develop a long term strategic plan relating to capital projects for which specific phases may be considered for annual funding.  Maximum grants shall not normally exceed $5,000 per year.  [MGA § 65 (ag)]

e)      Capital Projects Assistance Program – Requests shall be considered for the following categories:

·         Small Project Matching Grants - Eligible applications include initiatives that demonstrate significant benefit to the region or a high degree of creativity, innovation, unique appeal or benefit, as determined by the council. Awards are one-time grants and shall not normally exceed $5,000.  Grant approval shall require proof of matching funds in cash and/or “in kind” contribution by the applicant. [MGA Section 65–various]