Strategic Plan Grants

To apply for a Strategic Plan Grant, organizations must meet all the following criteria:

• Registered non-profit organization in good standing in the Province of B.C. or a 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 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 Grant must be aligned with one objective of the City of Victoria’s 2019-2022 Strategic Plan:

• Good Governance and Civic Engagement
• Affordable Housing
• Prosperity and Economic Inclusion
• Climate Leadership and Environmental Stewardship
• Reconciliation and Indigenous Relations
• Strong, Liveable Neighbourhoods
• Health, Well-Being and a Welcoming City
• Sustainable Transportation

Council has weighted the strategic plan objectives as follows:

• Affordable Housing                                                                     2.75
• Reconciliation and Indigenous Relations                                   3.50
• Strong, Liveable Neighbourhoods                                              3.50
• Climate Leadership and Environmental Stewardship                4.00
• Sustainable Transportation                                                        4.50
• Health, Well-Being and a Welcoming City                                 4.75
• Prosperity and Economic Inclusion                                            5.00

Additionally, the following criteria must be met:

• Projects or programs must be based in the City of Victoria, or a portion of the activity 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 External Grant Review Committee takes into consideration the following key elements in evaluating the applications:

     1.   Council’s Weighted Strategic Plan Objectives:

• Affordable Housing                                                               2.75

• Reconciliation and Indigenous Relations                             3.50
• Strong, Liveable Neighbourhoods                                        3.50
• Climate Leadership and Environmental Stewardship          4.00
• Sustainable Transportation                                                  4.50
• Health, Well-Being and a Welcoming City                           4.75
• Prosperity and Economic Inclusion                                      5.00

      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, the City’s Strategic Plan objectives).
• Project builds community resilience (30%): The definition of resiliency is the capacity of a system, enterprise, community or a person to maintain its core purpose or integrity in the face of dramatically changed circumstances.
• 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. Depending on the demand relative to available funds, applications may not receive full funding despite their merit score.
• Read the External Grant Review Committee's 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 Victoria Foundation – Other Funding Sources. This site provides diverse funding sources available, including funding from other municipalities for projects that extend beyond the City of Victoria, as well as collaboration and partnering opportunities. 

The annual Strategic Plan Grant Application process is as follows: