Community Development Fund

Eligibility Criteria

The following organizations will be eligible for funding:

• Community governments
• Aboriginal governments

Community or aboriginal governments may choose to provide funding received through the Community Development Fund to regional or territorial organizations involved in community development activities.

Summary

Through this program the Department will contribute funds to initiatives that:

• Build on community development strategies
• Assist communities in becoming self reliant, responsible, and accountable
• Address impediments to community development

The objectives of the program are:

• To  promote community development that supports political governance, social, economic, and health priorities
• To encourage partnership and cooperation between community governments and other community or regional groups in order to develop community based planning and training related to community empowerment
• To support communities as they assume more responsibilities and authorities
  
  Eligible Activities
  A wide range of initiatives that support community or regional strategies are eligible for support under this program including the following:

• Community based strategic planning, assessment and consultations
• Training and skills development
• Hiring a facilitator or coordinator to assist with community empowerment or development
• Opportunities that promote long term community and economic growth

Applications will not be considered until all accountability requirements for any previous funding received under this program have been met.

Some restrictions must apply on eligible expenses in order to ensure the effective and efficient use of the funds.  The following expenses are not eligible:

• The purchase or construction of capital assets (funds can be used to purchase equipment if the equipment is critical to the completion of the initiative)
• Activities not related to community empowerment
• Self government negotiations
• Projects extending beyond the fiscal year
• Programs already funded by the GNWT (i.e. Recreation Leadership Program, Teacher Education Program)
  
  Eligible Costs
  Eligible costs will be limited to:

• Development costs such as a feasibility study or community assessment
• Planning costs such as workshops, or strategic planning
• Project management costs such as salaries and wages for a community empowerment coordinator
• Training costs such as training/skill development courses
• Travel costs
  
  Equity Requirements
  Applicants will be required to contribute equity, either in the form of a financial commitment, project management, administration costs, or services in kind.  The minimum levels are:

• 10% for tax based communities and other organizations
• 5% for non-taxed based communities

Priority will be given to initiatives that support:

• The development of self-reliant, responsible and accountable communities
• The elimination of barriers to community development
• The establishment of long term community benefits
• The development of skills and capacity at the community level
• Initiatives that include partnerships involving joint funding

Program funding is limited.  Meeting eligibility criteria for this program does not guarantee approval of financial support.  Projects may be partially funded.

Application Process
Applicants are required to submit a detailed proposal and a completed Community Development Fund Application Form. Where a partner is identified as part of the initiative a joint submission must be submitted.  More than one eligible activity can be requested under on application.

The Application Form must be submitted to the Regional Community Empowerment Coordinator.  Each Coordinator will present the proposal to the Regional Interdepartmental Community Empowerment (RICE) Team or any other designated evaluation team.  The project proposal must include:

• Detailed objectives and proposed activities
• Anticipated benefits to the community
• Projected results and how they will be achieved
• Indication of the project's eligibility
• Detailed budget, including other resources of revenue, major expenditures by type
• Partnerships involving joint funding
  
  Reporting Requirements
  Applicants must submit a Community Development Fund Year End Report.  The Report must include:

• Accounting for all funds received
• Summary of achieved results
• Actual measurable outcomes and tangible benefits in comparison with anticipated results contained in the proposal
  
  Method of Payment
  Allocations will be made in the form of an accountable contribution.  Payments will be made upon receipt and approval of the proposal.  10% will be withheld until the project is completed, audited and evaluated.

Applications requiring the services of a contractor must submit proposals from 3 contractors, prior to the approval of the contribution agreement, if the contract exceeds $5,000.

Term
The contribution agreement is effective for a period of one year, from April 1, to March 31, of each fiscal year, or the term specified in the agreement, whichever is less.

Northwest Territories Contact(s):
Department of Municipal and Community Affairs
Inuvik, Northwest Territories 
Telephone: (867) 777-7125