By law, the Community Foundation may only grant to federally registered charities or other qualified donees as defined by the Canada Revenue Agency.

This means we do not make grants to not-for-profit organizations without charitable status.  We recognize that many non-profit organizations are providing exceptional services to our community.  An organization that is not a registered charity either apply to the Canada Revenue Agency to become a registered charity or establish a partnership with a local qualified donee that would receive the funds for the proposed project from the CVCF.  The project must reasonably be within the mandate of the sponsoring agency and it must have ultimate control over the project. To ensure the sponsor’s legal responsibilities are met, we require the two parties to complete a Sponsorship Agreement and forward it to the CVCF prior to the application deadline.

In addition, the project for which the grant application is made must serve residents within the boundaries of School District #71 and you must have met all reporting requirements of any Community Enrichment grant you have received from the Comox Valley Community Foundation.

We base our granting on the following principles

• Comox Valley Community Foundation supports innovation where there is demonstrated need, the likelihood of effectiveness, and strong potential to serve as a model to others.
• We strongly support partnerships and collaborations to make the best use of limited resources.
• Projects should build on the strengths of the community to respond to identified issues and priorities. (The Comox Valley Vital Signs should be a source of valuable information for you.)
• The organization should demonstrate a commitment to the project through a contribution of human and/or financial resources.
• Significant and appropriate support from other funding sources (including the community) should be evident.
• The organization should demonstrate inclusiveness and respect for cultural diversity.
• Projects that will be ongoing after the grant’s end should provide realistic plans for longer-term funding.
• Organizations should have a significant and appropriate amount of their funding in place when they apply.

Grants will not be made for:

• Retroactive funding or any project expenses to be incurred prior to the Foundation’s decision date
• Academic research
• Tours or travel outside the community (unless incidental to the project)
• Scholarships or bursaries (funded elsewhere by the CVCF)
• Activities of religious organizations that serve primarily their membership and/or their direct religious purposes
• Political organizations
• The establishment of or addition to endowment funds
• Core operating costs
• Building campaigns
• Annual fundraising campaigns, form letter requests or telephone campaigns
• Operating or capital deficits
• Individuals or for-profit organizations

The Board of the CVCF appoints a Grants Committee comprised of both Board members and independent community members.

As applications are received, they are reviewed to ensure they are complete, meet all submission requirements and include enough information to allow the Grants Committee to make informed decisions. If necessary, clarification and additional information is asked of the applicant.

Additional information is also supplied to the Grants Committee including any history of past grants, and other background details that may assist in the decision-making.

The Grants Committee members first review all applications independently. They then meet to discuss the merits of each project and to rank them in priority for funding.  The Committee then has a second meeting where the applications are reviewed in more depth. The highest priorities are reconsidered first and an initial allocation of grant money is made.   Factored into this decision process is the total grant money available and any specific directions made by the donors for the income generated by their funds. (i.e. fields of interest).  This list, together with the highest priority unfunded projects are then evaluated a third time to ensure the Foundation’s overall funding objectives of fairness, addressing priority areas, broad support of the community, and respect of donor directions are achieved.

The Committee’s recommendations, with supporting analysis, are then presented to the Board for approval.