Grant Application Guidelines

OUR MISSION
The Maple Ridge Community Foundation attracts and manages charitable capital and provides grants for the betterment of our community.

 

MRCF OVERVIEW
The Maple Ridge Community Foundation is dedicated to improving the quality of life in Maple Ridge through the creation and management of funds gifted in perpetuity, and the distribution of their earnings for charitable purposes in the areas of art & culture, children & youth, food & shelter, health & social services, leisure & recreation, planet & environment and seniors & disabled.

 

THE GRANTING PROCESS

In considering applications for funding, the Board of Directors relies on the recommendations of the Grants Committee. The Grants Committee is comprised of current Directors and selected volunteers.

 

ELIGIBILITY

Eligible applicants include registered charities and qualified donees under the Income Tax Act.  Applicants must include at a minimum with their application:

• CRA Registered Charity Number
• Comprehensive Project Specific Budget
• Current Financial Statements to demonstrate sound financial management of the organization.

 

WHAT WE FUND

The Maple Ridge Community Foundation supports a wide range of projects that will be of benefit to the citizens of Maple Ridge. Funded projects provide a direct service to the community or an innovative approach to a community initiative. Some questions to consider:

• Is the project clearly defined?
• Does the project align with the purpose of the Maple Ridge Community Foundation?
• Who will benefit from the project?
• Is the project supported by other local organizations?
• Does the project duplicate services that are already available in the community?

 

INELIGIBLE REQUESTS

Ineligible requests include and are not limited to the following:

• Grants are not awarded to fund day-to-day operating expenses such as wages & benefits, rent, utilities, insurance etc.
• Individuals or businesses
• 100% of a project’s costs
• Retroactive funding, or for any project expenses to be incurred prior to the Foundation’s decision.
• Fundraising activities
• Endowment grants
• Proselytizing faith-based or political organizations.
• Towards operating or capital deficits

 

THE APPLICATION PROCESS

Following your review of the Grant Guidelines to ascertain your eligibility, applicants are to complete the application form in full and submit it on or before the deadline date. The Grant Selection Committee requires 4 to 6 weeks to review and process an application.

Only submissions on MRCF application forms will be considered. Note that written applications will be accepted by MRCF until 4:00pm on the closing date.  Applications dropped off after the deadline will not be considered.

 

AFTER THE GRANT HAS BEEN AWARDED

The Maple Ridge Community Foundation requires the following of its grant recipients:

• Participate in our annual Grants Presentation held in November/December.
• Any alterations to the project scope require prior approval by MRCF.
• Public recognition of the awarded grant from the Maple Ridge Community Foundation.
• Submission of a final report within 12 months of the awarded grant.
• In order to be considered for subsequent years, receipts for eligible expenses must be received prior to submission of an application for the subsequent year.

REQUESTING PAYMENT OF AWARDED GRANTS

Charitable organizations who have been awarded grants may request payment of their award only after the project has been completed, and MRCF is in receipt of the following:

 

• Written correspondence outlining how the grant funds were spent including a request for reimbursement.
• A statement describing the benefit/impact to the community.
• Receipts for expenditures.
• A written or email acknowledgement once funds have been received.
• Should the organization experience financial hardship such that the completion of the project is in jeopardy, send a written request for an early advance of funds to execassist@mrcf.ca.

In order to be considered for subsequent years, receipts for eligible expenses must be received prior to submission of an application for the subsequent year.

 

Ready to apply? How to get your application to us:

Once you’ve ascertained your eligibility, you can submit your application on or before the deadline in the following ways:

 

1. SUBMIT ONLINE: CLICK HERE TO ACCESS ONLINE APPLICATION

 

2. EMAIL: CLICK HERE to attach completed application and submit by email to execassist@mrcf.ca

(email subject line: Grants Application (Name of Organization)

(Click here to download fillable form which can be filled and emailed OR dropped off)

3. DROP OFF:
Empire CPA
22377 Dewdney Trunk Road
Maple Ridge, BC V2X 3J4

Please mark the envelope “MRCF Grant Application”