Application Deadline
February 1 at 4:00 p.m.
The Summer Grant Program provides funding support to standalone summer programs that provide recreation opportunities for children and youth participants under 18 years of age. Eligible programs support the healthy growth and development of children and youth and are intended to result in:
Before You Apply
Application Assessment Criteria
The CIF will review all Summer Grant Program applications to confirm eligibility requirements are met and the application is complete. Applicants may be contacted to provide clarification or further detail on their budget or proposed program. Summer grants are reviewed and recommendations are forwarded to the CIF Board for final approval.
Applicants will receive notification of the outcome of their funding request within 2 months after the application deadline.
Funding recommendations will be determined based on a competitive, merit-based process. Requests for funding regularly exceed the dollars available and not every eligible application will receive funding.
Funding provided in one year does not guarantee funding will be awarded in subsequent years.
The amount approved for each program may be less than the amount requested, and will be based on how closely the program meets grant criteria, eligibility of expenses, the number of requests received, and consideration for
providing support across the province.
Applications will be assessed based on the following criteria:
• The program is aligned with Summer Grant Program priorities.
• The application identifies a demonstrated need or community priority.
• The proposed program is designed to address the need or issue. The program is feasible, will reach its intended audience, and is likely to achieve the expected benefits and outcomes for participants.
• The program benefits smaller, rural or Northern communities; Indigenous peoples; newcomers; and/or those facing barriers to participation.
• The proposed expenses for the program are eligible under the Program Guidelines.
• The budget is realistic and supports the program design and key activities.
• The application is complete. All questions are answered and responses provide enough information to make a funding recommendation.
Applicant Eligibility
To be eligible to apply to CIF, an applicant must be:
*Community-based/ community-led programs are programs that involve community members or organizations in the planning and delivery of the program, and that are not offered as a core service of the institution.
Program Eligibiltiy
Programs must be aligned with one or more of the Summer Grant Program funding priorities and proposed expenses must be eligible in accordance with the guidelines.
Summer Grant Program grants are intended to support standalone programs that are only for participants under 18 years of age. Programs must be held between the months of June 1 and August 31. Please note that the
CIF is not responsible for any costs incurred by applicants for programs that begin prior to notification of the CIF Board’s funding decision.
Types of programs typically supported include summer camps and day programs offering recreation, culture, mentoring and mental health supports, literacy and learning opportunities for children and youth. Summer grants are
not intended to support school curriculum or excursions; summer fairs or events; adult or all-age programs that occur during the summer; or the summer portion of year-round programming.
As The Lotteries and Gaming Saskatchewan Corporation Act also directs a portion of profits to the First Nations Trust to support initiatives for people living on-reserve, eligible programming must primarily benefit individuals living off-reserve.
Organizations may be approved for a maximum of one summer grant per year. Applicants may only submit one application per deadline and multiple applications will not be considered.
If an organization has received a CIF Community Grant Program grant that includes program delivery over the summer, they are not eligible to apply to the CIF Summer Grant Program for that program. The Community Grant Program
Guidelines can be found here.
Grant Amounts
Maximum of $7,500.
Eligible Expenses
Eligible expenses are program expenses that have been approved by CIF through your initial grant application or through a subsequent amendment request prior to implementation. Programs must be held between the months of June 1 and August 31. All eligible expenses must fall within your program start and end dates as identified in your approved grant application.
Generally, funding will support expenses such as salaries, supplies, and other eligible costs directly related to the delivery of the program. A description for each expense category should be included in the budget along with a breakdown of costs where needed (e.g. the salary expense category should include the titles of the positions being funded and the amount going toward each).
General Operating Expenditures
A maximum of 20% of your approved CIF grant request can go toward operational expenses (e.g. $1,500 of a $7,500 request), if you request it under the CIF portion of the budget. This includes items not directly related to program delivery such as supervision, accounting, administration, insurance, rent, repairs, office supplies, travel, telephone, utilities, and fundraising expenses. Receipts are not required for expenses claimed under this
category.
Salaries
Salaries for employees directly involved in the delivery of the program. In your budget description, include the titles of the positions being requested along with a breakdown of the amount going toward each (e.g. program coordinator -organizes and facilitates program ($25 x 20 hr./week x 24 weeks = $12,000). If approved, employee salaries can be claimed by providing official payroll records indicating the position being paid, payment dates, gross wages, and deductions. To ensure confidentiality of individual private information, do not include (or remove) personal information such as social insurance numbers from the documentation being provided. Timesheets are not accepted. Positions not directly involved in program delivery, such as supervision or administration, can be requested under the general operating expense category.
Independent Contractor Fees
Independent contractor fees for contractors such as instructors and facilitators who are directly involved in the delivery of the program. In your budget description, include the titles of the positions being requested along with a breakdown of the amount going toward each (e.g. yoga instructor –10 sessions x $80 = $800). Fees paid to contractors can be claimed by providing an itemized invoice issued by the contractor or other proof of payment as requested.
Traditional Knowledge Keeper, Elder and Elder Helper Honorarium.
It is protocol, or the common and accepted practice, to provide honoraria for the knowledge, teachings, and time being given. Include a description of the engagement and related costs in your budget. Honorarium expenses can be claimed by providing a completed payment confirmation form. A template can be found here. If using your own form, be sure to include the name and address of the recipient, the date and description of engagement, the amount paid, and signatures from both the recipient and the grantee representative providing the honorarium. Offerings of tobacco, broadcloth, and/or tea may be included as part of eligible program expenses and can be claimed with receipts.
Supplies
Supplies must be directly related to program delivery. Capital purchases are ineligible. In your budget description, include a summarized list of items being requested along with a breakdown of costs (e.g. crafts (markers, glue, beads etc.) -$400, sport activities (pickleball sets, soccer balls) -$300). If approved, receipts and invoices must be legible, indicating what has been purchased and for how much. Only copies of actual receipts and invoices will be accepted, do not include cheque stubs, internal documents, or credit card slips.
Food/Nutrition Expenses
If approved as an important component of program delivery at the time of grant approval, food/nutrition expenses can be claimed with legible receipts. Be sure to include examples of the food being provided and a breakdown of costs in your budget description (e.g. snacks (fruit, veggies, cheese, muffins) x 20 sessions= $2,040). Organizations are encouraged to follow Canada’s Food Guide for healthy options. www.hc-sc.gc.ca.
Facility Rental Fees
Facility rental fees are only eligible in situations where additional temporary space is required for program delivery. Be sure to indicate the daily rental amount for the space required to hold your program in your budget breakdown (e.g. gymnasium rental ($150/day x 10 sessions = $1,500). If approved, fees can be claimed by providing a detailed invoice. This line item is not intended to cover your existing office space, which can be claimed under the general operating expense category. For municipal grantees, the use of municipal-owned facilities would be considered a general operating expense and can be claimed under that category.
Transportation
Transportation expenses must be approved in order to be claimed and are only eligible in situations where program participants are being transported or where travel is required to deliver the program to participants. Expenses can be claimed by providing receipts including bus/taxi fare, and vehicle rental. Gas receipts may be submitted provided a detailed travel log is also submitted. Please note that mileage claims are not accepted and out of province travel is ineligible.
An audited financial statement may be provided as evidence of eligible expenses if it has been prepared by a recognized audit firm, has been signed by two Board members and clearly outlines the CIF grant received as well as
specific expenses related to the program.
Ineligible Programs & Expenses
Application Process
Important Things to Note
Release of Funding:
Successful grant recipients will receive an approval letter and funding agreement. When the agreement has been signed and returned to the CIF office, recipients will receive an initial payment of 80% of the approved amount of the grant. The remaining 20% (or adjusted amount based on actual expenses) will be released when the CIF has confirmed that all funding and reporting obligations have been met following completion of the program.
Appeals:
Applicants may appeal a grant decision if the request is received by the indicated deadline. Appeals will be considered by the CIF Board at its next meeting. Only one appeal per application will be considered and the decisions of the CIF Board are final. To request an appeal form, please contact the CIF Grants Coordinator.
Amendment Requests:
Changes to a CIF funded program may be requested by submitting a written amendment request to the Grants Coordinator outlining why the amendment is needed and the program changes being explored. Programming must continue to align with CIF funding priorities as well as eligible expenses. A revised budget may need to be submitted depending on the nature of the amendment request. Amendment requests must be approved by CIF prior to
implementation. Summer programs cannot be extended past August 31.
Recognition of CIF Support:
Grant recipients are required to acknowledge the support of the CIF in all promotional materials associated with the grant. Details
about the recognition policy will be included in the approval letter and is also available on the website under Recognition Requirements
at www.cifsask.org. To discuss recognition requirements and options contact the Communications Coordinator at admin@cifsask.org.
Final Report:
Grant recipients are required to submit a Final Report for each CIF funded program. The report must be submitted within 60 days after the program end date and must include copies of receipts, invoices, payroll records, etc. to verify
program expenditures. The final grant payment of 20% (or an adjusted amount based on actual expenses) will be released when all reporting requirements have been met. Recipients may be requested to re-pay funds to the CIF if actual
eligible expenses are less than the approved grant. Applicants are encouraged to refer to the Final Report Guide and Sample for additional
assistance and tips for completing your Final Report. These resources are available on the Final Report page of the website at
www.cifsask.org.
Personal Information:
The CIF may request personal information such as payroll records to verify program salaries. The CIF will protect personal information as required by The Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act by storing the
information in secure files. This information is collected only for CIF’s purposes and will not be released to anyone for any reason, except as required by law. Files containing the confidential information will be securely stored for seven
years and then will be destroyed.
Questions?
Contact us:
Grants Coordinator
Carrie Smith
306.780.9396
grants@cifsask.org
The Community Initiatives Fund’s (CIF) work and support reaches lands covered by Treaties 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, and 10, the traditional lands of the Cree (Nêhiyawak; Nêhithawak; Nêhinawak), Dakota and Lakota (Sioux), Dene (Chipewyan), Nakota (Assiniboine), and Saulteaux (Nahkawininiwak) peoples, as well as homeland of the Métis. Today, these lands continue to be the shared Territory of many diverse peoples from near and far.
