The Application Process
Increasingly, the Gifts and Grants initiative focuses on projects targeting the emotional, educational and recreational needs of children and young adults. This is in keeping with the Foundations' wish to provide assistance that will have a long-term impact, and of addressing the root causes of some of the difficulties facing our society.
When considering grant applications, the Committee favours:
- Specific programmes over general ones
- Existing programmes over start-ups
- Requests to fund capital costs rather than operating costs
The Committee does not normally make direct gifts to support expenses incurred by other endowments, places of worship or government agencies (such as construction or administrative costs), but will fund qualifying philanthropic community programmes run by these organizations.
Once a grant request passes an initial screening procedure, a comprehensive due diligence process begins, involving careful analysis of the following:
- The potential beneficiary's organizational structure, financial reporting requirements, fiscal strength, discipline and accountability
- Specifics of the programme under consideration
- The relative importance of the programme to the community
The research phase will include face-to-face interviews, site visits, background and reference checks, and a review of financial statements, budgets and relevant programme literature.
The Gifts and Grants Committee then makes a formal recommendation to the Board of Directors. If a grant is approved, beneficiaries must adhere to formal reporting and evaluation guidelines.
Grant application deadlines are as follows:
- February 1 to be considered by March 30
- April 1 to be considered by June 1
- October 1 to be considered by November 30
