Strategic Plan Grants

To apply for a grant, organizations must meet all the following criteria:

• Registered  non-profit  organization  in  good  standing  in  the  Province  of  BC  or registered charitable organization in good standing with the Canada Revenue Agency
• Organization  resides  within  the  Capital  Regional  District  and  the  services  and activities benefit residents of the City of Victoria
• Complement or extend the reach of the City services
• Evidence of clear mandate and competent administration
• Evidence of ongoing, active volunteer involvement
• Not in arrears with the City of Victoria
• Not in bankruptcy or seeking creditor protection
• Demonstrate financial stability and accountability
• Evidence of diversity of funding sources and/or increasing financial self-sufficiency
• Applicants must apply for funding on an annual basis
• Projects or programs must be substantially completed within the grant time period
• Monitoring and reporting requirements 

Applications for the Strategic Plan Grants must be aligned with one of the City of Victoria’s 2015-2018 Strategic Plan Objectives. 

The Strategic Objectives are as follows:

1. Innovate and Lead
2. Engage and Empower the Community
3. Strive for Excellence in Planning and Land Use
4. Build the Financial Capacity of the Organization
5. Create Prosperity Through Economic Development
6. Make Victoria More Affordable
7. Facilitate Social Inclusion and Community Wellness
8. Enhance and Steward Public Spaces, Green Spaces and Food Systems
9. Complete a Multi-Modal and Active Transportation Network
10. Nurture Our Arts, Culture and Learning Capital
11. Steward Water Systems and Waste Streams Responsibly
12. Take Climate Action and Prepare for Emergencies
13. Demonstrate Regional Leadership 

Council has weighted the strategic plan objectives as follows:

• Facilitate Social Inclusion and Community Wellness                                   3.67
• Engage and Empower the Community                                                        3.22
• Enhance and Steward Public Spaces, Green Spaces and Food Systems 3.11
• Create Prosperity Through Economic Development                                   3.00
• Nurture our Arts, Culture and Learning Capital                                           2.56

Additionally, the following criteria must be met:

• Projects or programs must be based in the City of Victoria, or the portion of the activity that takes place in the City of Victoria
• Projects or programs must be substantially completed within July 1 to June 30 each year
• The final report will be a prerequisite for ranking subsequent requests
• Administrative costs are capped at a maximum of 18% of total budget
• Organizations can be funded up to 75% of project or program costs
• Operating funding up to 50% 

The following costs are not eligible for funding:

• Commercial activities and related costs
• Religious activities and related costs
• Land purchase and land improvements
• Activities and costs that are the responsibility of other governments
• Costs not directly associated with approved project, program or service
• Fundraising costs for the operations of the organization
• Travel costs
• Conference, workshop, training or professional development costs
• Deficit or debt repayment
• Re-investment of unused grant revenue by funded organization
• Festivals
• Impact to public space
• Capital requests 

The committee takes into consideration the key elements in evaluating the applications as follows:

     1.   Council’s Weighted Strategic Plan Objectives 

• Facilitate Social Inclusion and Community Wellness                                   3.67
• Engage and Empower the Community                                                        3.22
• Enhance and Steward Public Spaces, Green Spaces and Food Systems 3.11
• Create Prosperity Through Economic Development                                   3.00
• Nurture our Arts, Culture and Learning Capital                                           2.56

      2.   Assessment Criteria 

• Capacity of an organization to deliver the project (20%): Project aligns and advances organization mission and mandate; organization has experience and capacity to undertake project successfully; the people who will lead and implement the project have relevant experience; and strong leadership is evident.
• Evidence of Need (20%): Demonstrated strong evidence of need for the project, project addresses a Vital Signs indicator or priority issue (in this case, City’s strategic priorities).
• Community Impact (30%): Project benefits a priority target population (or environmental area); expected results are well-considered and will have significant impact; applicant identifies appropriate methods for evaluating project results; project will involve appropriate partners/amplify impact through collaboration; community impacts are reasonable, well-considered ad are applicable to the project.
• Project Feasibility (30%): Work plan is detailed and feasible with stated timelines; budget expenses are appropriate and well considered amounts are identified for proposed activities; budget revenues include adequate funding sources to meet project expenses; other sources of funding are identified as potential or confirmed, including in-kind sources.

      3.     Overall Evaluation

Scores from the above criteria (Council’s Weighted Strategic Plan Objectives and Assessment Criteria) will result in a total “Merit Score” for each grant application. Dependent on the demand relative to available funds applications may not receive full funding despite their merit score.

To view the External Grant Review Committee's Terms of Reference, click the link below.

• Strategic Plan Grant Review Committee, Terms of Reference

Leveraging of grant funding is a key criteria for eligibility.  The grant must be leveraged to create additional financial value by securing one or more of the following:

• Funding from other governments or other organizations
• Corporate sponsorships
• Matching funds
• In-kind contributions
• Waived fees and charges

To help you complete the Strategic Plan Grant application, please refer to the following link “Other Funding Sources” from the Victoria Foundation Victoria Foundation – Other Funding Sources.  This provides diverse funding sources available, including funding from other municipalities for projects that extend beyond the City of Victoria and collaborations or partnering.

The annual Strategic Plan Grants Application process is as follows: