Grant in Aid Online Application

NOTE TO APPLICANTS

• Industrial, commercial, individuals, and business undertakings ARE NOT eligible for assistance under this program;
• Please use the attached RDBN Board policies and Application Completion instructions as a guideline and be advised that the Regional Board of the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako reserves the right to amend the said policies from time to time as it deems appropriate;
• Personal information requested on this form is collected under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act section 26(c) and will be used for the purpose of processing your application. Any information submitted with the application or provided to the RDBN for consideration and in support of the application may be made available for review by any member of the public. If you have any questions about the collection and use of this information, please contact the RDBN Information and Privacy Coordinator at 1-800-320-3339.
• If you have any questions or require assistance, please contact the Regional Economic Development Coordinator, or:

         Phone: (250) 692-3195 or toll free at 1-800-320-3339
         Fax: (250) 692-3305
         Email: economic.development@rdbn.bc.ca

REGIONAL DISTRICT OF BULKLEY-NECHAKO
ELECTORAL AREA GRANT IN AID ASSISTANCE POLICY

PURPOSE
To provide grants to community groups. Non-profit registered societies, organizations, Recreation Commissions, for cultural, charitable, sporting, recreational, service activities and special events for the purpose of benefiting the community.

APPLICATION
This policy shall apply to all electoral area grant in aid requests being considered for funding from the individual Grants-In-Aid budgets.

AUTHORITY
LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT (Sec. 263(1)(c): the Regional District may provide assistance for the purpose of benefiting the community.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT (Sec. 380)(2)(g): a grant may be charged to the electoral area benefiting from the assistance.

PROCEDURE

1. Applications will be referred to the applicable Electoral Area Director to conduct a preliminary review. The RDBN has both statutory and budgetary limitations on Rural Grant in Aid and wishes to ensure that these funds are disbursed as fairly and equitably as possible.  The Board delegates the authority to approve grant in aid applications of $2,500 or less to the Chief Administrative Officer or designate in consultation with the Electoral Area Director.  Applications in excess of $2,500 will be referred to the Board. 
   
   a)  Applications must be submitted on the form provided by the Regional District, with all supporting documentation attached.  Applicants must  clearly indicate the amount of assistance requested; provide evidence of how the applicant benefits the community generally and how the assistance being requested from the Regional District would benefit the community specifically; and, provide financial information sufficient to identify all other funding sources and to justify the need for financial assistance.
   
   b)  Applications that are not submitted on the required form will be returned to the applicant.
    
2. The following factors shall be used in evaluation and prioritizing the Applications for Assistance under Section 263(1)(c) of the Local Government Act. 
   a)  Purpose for which the funding is required.                                                                                                                        b)  What funding opportunities have been considered, (ie. fundraising, grants from senior levels of government, etc.).
   c)   Benefits to the community as a whole.
   d)   Amount of grant requested.
   e)   Whether or not the applicant has previously received assistance from the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako. 
   f)    Whether or not previous grant reporting has been received (if applicable).
   g)    Whether or not there is an opportunity for individuals to make direct contributions.
    
3. If a grant in aid is approved the following will apply:
   a)   A cheque or Electronic Funds Transfer will be issued to the requesting organization.  A letter documenting the grant approval will be sent under the signature of the Electoral Area Director.
   b)   Recipients must acknowledge the RD as a supporter of the project, program, service or special event in publications or marketing. Projects, programs, services or special events may not be represented as an RD event, nor may the society / organization hold itself out as an agent of the RD in anyway.
   Approval to use the RDBN logo can be requested for the purpose of recognition
   c)   If the grant exceeds $1,000, a report must be submitted to the Regional District inclusive of satisfactory evidence that the goods or services have been obtained (ie. a report from the organization inclusive of receipts and/or a report of the expenditures). Failure to submit a report will impacy consideration of future grant applications.
    
4. The Chief Administrative Officer and/or Electoral Area Director may at the time of grant approval:
   a)  Impose additional requirements to be met by an organization prior to receipt of grant funds;
   b)   Reduce or modify the requirements to be met for an organization prior to receipt of grant funds.
    
5. Applications for Assistance under Section 263(1)(c) of the Local Government Act will NOT be approved for:
   a)   Purposes identified as potentially exposing the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako to risk of unacceptable liability;
   b)  Purposes disallowed by the Local Government Act: Section 273 – As a limitation on section 263(1)(c), a Board                must not provide assistance to an industrial, commercial or business undertaking.
   c)   Annual operational expenses of an organization (e.g. insurance, utilities).
   d)   Remuneration (e.g. wages, salaries, other fees).
   e)   No grants shall be approved for individuals or for privately-owned businesses.