The Prince George Community Foundation offers grants to charitable organizations performing worthwhile projects to enhance the quality of life in the City of Prince George.

Eligibility

Community organizations, which are registered charities or qualified donees under the Income Tax Act, are eligible to apply for grants from the Foundation.

In exceptional cases, unregistered charities may be eligible if affiliated with a registered charitable agency who agrees to apply on their behalf.

Grants are not made to individuals or businesses.

Organizations must demonstrate effective management and fiscal responsibility.

Grant Type and Amount

  • Grant Cycle: starts September 1st of year one and completes December 31st of year two.
  • Regular Grant: is for projects to be completed by December 31st of the grant year and range from $500 to $2,500.
  • Special Grant: consideration may be given to support a few grant requests per grant cycle for an amount from $ 2,500 up to $5, 000. Applicants are asked to explain the extra need and to show two or more matching contributors.
  • Seed or Development Grant: a grant of up to $1, 000 may be considered for background research or the development of a business plan to support a future grant request. Complete only "Seed or Development Grant Request".
  • Multi-year Grants: for new ventures, consideration may be given for support of up to three years of a project. Continuation of the support is conditional on a satisfactory progress report each December 31st. Applicants will be asked to attach a three year business plan to their Letter of Intent Form. The grant is not to exceed $7,500 over the term of the multi-year grants.

What We Fund

Projects approved for funding will encompass one or more of the following themes:

  • Health
  • Education
  • Arts and Culture
  • Sports and Recreation
  • Local Environment
  • Social Services

The Prince George Community Foundation supports a broad range of projects that offer a service to the community or approach a community challenge in an innovative fashion. Preference will be given to those projects that:

  • have broad public appeal
  • are widely accessible to the community
  • promote and enhance self sufficiency within the community
  • emphasize and utilize the skills and resources that exist in the community
  • strengthen the social and cultural structure of the community
  • demonstrate partnership and collaboration
  • will realize a significant result with a moderate amount of funding (grants are generally less than $2500)
  • have a definite purpose for a specific period of time

The Board seeks initiatives which will:

  • enhance the community structure
  • involve individuals, groups and organizations in the community
  • recognize the abilities, skills and resources that exist in the community
  • respond creatively and effectively to local problems and challenges
  • collaborate, facilitate and cooperate for the benefit of the community
  • strengthen the social networks within the community and the commitment of its members to care for one another
  • build on the community's social capital and civic vitality.

The Prince George Community Foundation Board of Directors may, on occasion, identify a particular focus or target group towards which grants should be directed during that grant cycle.

Ineligible Requests

Projects can not be considered eligible if:

  • funds requested are an organization's usual operational or core expenses
  • funds are for any expenses which predate the current grant cycle
  • funds are used to cover deficits, retire debts or mortgage payments
  • funds are to provide for or establish endowments
  • funds are used for sectarian, religious or political purposes
  • funds are for major capital construction or major renovations
  • funds are used for travel costs
  • funds are used for team or club sponsorships
  • funds are part of an annual fund drive for sustaining support
  • the organization shows a dependency on future funding from the foundation
  • the project duplicates services provided by other organizations
  • the project is longer than one year in duration, except in the case of a multi-year grant.

The Application Process

There is a two-stage process for the submission of grant applications.

The first stage consists of a Letter of Intent containing a brief proposal, which allows the grants committee to determine the suitability of the project.

The second stage requires the submission of the complete application.

First Stage: Letter of Intent Form

The letter of Intent is the first step in applying for a grant and it allows the foundation to screen for basic eligibility. With this document, the foundation is able to assist applicants in preparing and completing the more detailed application form.

Click here for the Letter of Intent form in Word Format

Click here for the Seed or Development Grant Request Form in Word Format

Second Stage: Grant Application

If the letter of intent meets the foundation's guidelines, the sponsoring organization will be sent a grant application form. Upon receipt of the completed application, the project will be adjudicated by the Grants Committee.

The Grants Committee recommends the successful projects to the Board of Directors who in turn makes the final decision.

After the grant has been awarded it is expected that:

  • Interim and/or final reports, including financial data and an evaluation of the project will be submitted to the Board of Directors.
  • The support received from the Prince George Community Foundation will be publicly acknowledged.

Application Deadlines

Deadline for Letters of Intent: November 15

Deadline for completed applications: January 31

For further information or to discuss your progam or project email our office.

Additional Information

The Prince George Community Foundation's grants are comprised of income earned by endowments established by individuals, families, businesses, donor organizations and by fundraising events - such as the annual Citizen of the Year Gala and Golf Tournament.

Flow-through funds may be provided by organizations, agencies, groups, or individuals. These are directed funds that are given for distribution and are not put into an endowment fund.

A donor may choose a favourite charitable organization to support or stipulate the field of interest. The earned income from these funds will be directed to the identified organization without competition.

The treasurer of the Foundation determines the amount of funds that are available for distribution, makes recommendation to the board of directors who authorize the distribution by the grants committee.

Vancouver Foundation – Leadership, Engagement and Development Program (LEAD)

Each year, the Prince George Community Foundation has been pleased to participate in the Vancouver Foundation LEAD program. The objectives of the LEAD Program are to:

  • Encourage community foundations to fund local community projects that build capacity. These are projects that promote connectivity and enhance self sufficiency within communities.
  • Increase awareness of community foundations with potential new donors
  • Strengthen grant making within community foundations of British Columbia

For more information on the Vancouver Foundation please visit their website.

Special Discretionary Grants

There may be occasions when the board of directors is petitioned directly or encounters an emergent challenge, issue or problem which requires immediate funding assistance. The board has established a process to address this possibility with its "Special Discretionary Grant".

This grant may be awarded at any time of the operating year with the concurrence of at least two members of the Grants Committee, the President of the Board and the Treasurer.

The maximum amount that can be awarded in this fashion is equivalent to 15% of the total undesignated funds to a maximum of $2500. Applicants for this special funding will have to complete the usual documentation.

For further information or to discuss your progamme or project email our office.