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Community Grants Policy
Purpose and Scope
Through its Community Grants Program, the City of St. Thomas seeks to support non-profit community-
based organizations which improve the well-being and quality of life of the community and its residents.
This policy's intent is to provide an open, fair and transparent process for the application, evaluation and
allocation of community grant funds. Community-based organizations which the City provides annual
ongoing financial assistance to through its community partnerships is considered outside the scope of
this policy.
Applicant Eligibility
Community grants are available to applicants which meet the following criteria:
-
Must be a not-for-profit organization
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Must provide services that directly benefit the community
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Cannot be agencies whose mandate is the responsibility of other levels of government where
funding has been withdrawn
-
Must not be in arrears to the City
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Are not eligible if they provide grants to others
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Cannot be currently receiving any additional funding from the City
Project, Initiative and Event Eligibility
Preferential consideration will be given to projects, initiatives and events that align with Council's
strategic objectives. Council's full strategic plan is available on the City's website.
Grant requests may take the form of direct financial assistance, waiver of fees, in-kind services or a
combination thereof. The City will provide up to $3,500 per application except in exceptional
circumstances.
The City of St. Thomas will not fund any projects, initiatives or events through the Community Grants
Policy under any of the following circumstances:
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The funding is requested to cover day-to-day operational costs
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The activity takes place outside St. Thomas
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Annual fund drives and fundraising activities for sustaining support
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Groups that have failed to comply with reporting requirements from previous grants
Submitting an Application
1.
Organizations wishing to apply for funding under the City's Community Grants Program, must fill
out a "Community Grant Application" using the instructions provided therein.
2.
The City will allocate grant funds in January and August each year. In order to be eligible for
these intakes, an application must be submitted prior to the first day of these months.
3.
All applications will be initially reviewed for completeness by City staff. If an application is
determined to be deficient, applicants will be advised to resubmit with revisions.
4.
An administrative grant review committee, formed at the discretion of the City Manager, will
assess the applications, and score them using the "Community Grant Evaluation Matrix".
5.
Applicants may be contacted for interviewing or additional information if the review committee
deems it necessary.
6.
Once evaluations are complete, the review committee will provide their assessments to Council
for consideration.
7.
If an application is approved through resolution by Council, applicants will be contacted by the
City to discuss next steps.
8.
Successful applicants will be required to agree to report back to the City regarding the outcome
of their project, initiative, or event once it has concluded.
Evaluation Matrix
Criteria
Points
Provides access to the arts, culture, environment, heritage, recreation, lifelong
learning and/or health activities
20
Contributes to the economic prosperity of the City
20
Demonstrates broad support by way of having adequate funds and support from
other sources and stakeholders and/or significant evidence of broad community
support
20
Serves the local interests of the residents of the City of St. Thomas and has a
positive impact on the community
10
Demonstrates clear alignment between the initiative and its intended goals
10
Estimated number of participants
10
Demonstrates innovative, creative thinking attributes
10
100