Adult Learning, Literacy and Essential Skills Program (ALLESP)

EDUCATION SAVINGS INCENTIVES PAN-CANADIAN COMMUNITY OUTREACH

GUIDELINES FOR PROJECT PROPOSALS

The Government of Canada recognizes that access to post-secondary education (PSE) is vital in providing all Canadian children with the knowledge and skills necessary to meet the challenges of an evolving workforce and a changing economy.  However, children from lower and middle income families are at a relative disadvantage in their opportunities to acquire a post-secondary education.

To increase access to PSE for children from lower and middle income families, the Government of Canada is offering new education savings incentives to parents and family members to open and contribute to a Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP).  It is encouraging them to save early for their children’s post-secondary education through the new Canada Learning Bond (CLB) and enhanced Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG) rates.  These education savings incentives are accompanied by an Outreach Strategy to inform and support eligible individuals and families in accessing the benefits available to their children.

The Education Savings Incentives Pan-Canadian Community Outreach will support community organizations in the development and delivery of outreach activities.  These activities will:

• Reduce and remove barriers preventing lower and middle income families from accessing basic financial services, and
• Help those families save for their children’s post-secondary education through a Registered Education Savings Plan.

The Government of Canada has partnered with the Government of Alberta to deliver the Alberta Centennial Education Savings Plan.  The Plan is designed to complement the program design and objectives of the Canada Learning Bond.  For more information on the Canada Education Savings Grant, the Canada Learning Bond and/or the Alberta Centennial Education Savings Plan, refer to Annex A or visit the HRSD Web site, http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/gateways/nav/top_nav/program/cesg.shtml, or the Alberta Advanced Education Web site, http://www.advancededucation.gov.ab.ca/aces/contact.asp.

THE PAN-CANADIAN COMMUNITY OUTREACH

This community-based, regionally co-ordinated approach offers a range of information and services to lower- and middle- income individuals and families who have varied needs and capacities. The approach will:

• Inform people about the enhanced CESG, CLB and Alberta Centennial Education Savings Plan benefits to which they are entitled, and
• Raise families’ awareness of the advantages of saving early for their children’s post-secondary education.

Supportive services will help families improve their access to basic financial services, social sector contacts and enhance their longer-term economic well-being.

CALL FOR PROPOSALS

Human Resources and Social Development Canada (HRSDC) is inviting proposals from provincial or territorial organizations to coordinate and implement the Pan-Canadian Community Outreach. An umbrella organization is an association of institutions who work together formally to coordinate activities or pool resources.  The umbrella organization provides resources and often an identity to the smaller organizations.

Priority will be given to projects that ensure broad coverage of two or more provinces and/ or territories, English and French speaking populations and target groups.  Target groups include:

• Lower and middle income families with newborns or young children;
• Aboriginal people;
• Persons with disabilities; 
• Immigrants; and
• People who live in rural and remote areas.

PROJECT OBJECTIVES

Projects must:

• Promote the importance of planning and saving for post-secondary education;
• Develop and deliver outreach and awareness activities¹ related to the Canada Learning Bond, enhanced Canada Education Savings Grant and Alberta Centennial Education Savings Plan;
• Promote learning and offer continued support to facilitate and encourage ongoing planning and savings for children’s post-secondary education; and
• Facilitate access to financial services and institutions, through activities such as providing information, building personal confidence and build capacity.

Expected outcomes are:

• Greater awareness and understanding of the importance of planning and saving early for a child’s post-secondary education;
• Greater awareness and understanding of the enhanced benefits available to children in lower and middle income families;
• Increased uptake of RESPs and the CESG; and
• Uptake of the Canada Learning Bond and Alberta Centennial Education Savings Plan.

WHO CAN APPLY

• To be eligible, applicants must be provincial/territorial, regional or national or umbrella non-profit organizations registered charitable organizations; and
• All local enablers² must be non-profit or registered charitable organizations.

Proposals submitted by entities other than provincial/territorial, regional or national organizations or umbrella groups will not be considered.

FUNDING AVAILABLE

Funding is available through contributions from HRSDC.  Contributions are conditional transfer payments for a specific project. They are subject to accountability review and audit.  Funding is provided on a cost-shared basis.  The Government of Canada provides up to 75% of total eligible project expenses.  Your organization must contribute at least 25% of the total project value in cash and/or in-kind.

The maximum amount of funding available for each project is $812,000 over a period no longer than three years.  Yearly maximums are as follows:

• Up to $212,000 in year one;
• Up to $300,000 in year two; and
• Up to $300,000 in year three.

Projects may be approved for up to three years. However, funding is subject to:

• Year-to-year budget considerations of HRSDC;
• Annual external audits;
• Use of funds by Parliament; and  
• A satisfactory review by HRSDC of the project’s progress in meeting its objectives.

ELIGIBLE COSTS

Only those costs directly related to project activities will be funded.  Costs normally eligible for funding include:

• Direct salaries and mandatory employment-related costs (MERC) for each person employed on the project at both the regional and local levels;
• Fees for consultants who provide expertise not available within the applicant’s organization;
• Costs related to independent (third party) external evaluation and the financial audit of the project (up to 10% each of total HRSDC contribution);
• Materials and supplies directly related to the project, such as photocopying, telephone, postage and equipment rental;
• Travel by the regional coordinator within Canada that is directly related to project activities³; and
• Costs associated with marketing and dissemination, such as printing and translation, and
• Travel within Canada that is directly related to project activities.

NON-ELIGIBLE COSTS

Costs ineligible for funding include:

• Capital asset costs, such as the purchase of computers, software and furniture (rentals are permitted);
• Regular and/or ongoing activities of the regional coordinator or local enablers’ organizations;
• Administrative overhead not directly related to the administration of the project;
• International travel; and
• Any activities that take place outside the project scope or time frame.

WHO WILL BE INVOLVED – Regional Coordinators

If your proposal is approved, your organization will act as regional coordinator (RC). Regional coordinators will:

• Develop, carry out and manage the project;
• Mobilize a network of local enablers⁴;
• Coordinate local enablers’ activities;
• Set standards and identify expected outcomes;
• Secure the participation of financial sector institutions in facilitating target groups’ access to banking and financial services;
• Distribute existing learning materials (more information will be available once a contribution agreement is signed);
• Demonstrate progress to HRSDC on meeting stated objectives; and
• Share nationally the results of project activities, lessons learned and best practices developed.

WHO WILL BE INVOLVED – Local Enablers

The regional coordinator will identify and involve local enablers (LE) in the development of their proposal.  These LEs should:

• Be community-based organizations that serve and are trusted by the target groups;
• Have connections with other local institutions and services that could benefit populations eligible for the CLB and enhanced CESG; and 
• Have experience in the delivery of financial literacy services.

Local enablers will:

• Act as delivery agents for the project;
• Secure co-operation and support of local resources;
• Work with local stakeholders;
• Use their knowledge of the target groups to make the best use of existing learning materials;
• Give information sessions that respond to the needs of the target groups, such as how to obtain a birth certificate or a Social Insurance Number;
• Help individuals with low levels of financial literacy to access the financial services required to open a bank account and/or put money into an RESP;
• Cooperate with and support external evaluation;
• Be accountable to the RC with respect to measurement of progress towards achieving stated objectives; and 
• Communicate local results of project activities, lessons learned and best practices developed.

WHO WILL BE INVOLVED – Partners

Partners are organizations or individuals who share the costs of the project through cash or in-kind contributions, enhance diversity, broaden expertise, maximize the potential impact of the project across groups of learners and enhance its capacity to address sector-wide learning needs.  Individuals or organizations that receive compensation for services related to the project cannot be considered to be partners.  Partnerships benefit all involved.  Organizations that enter into partnerships have reported a number of advantages:

• Partner organizations are empowered, often enjoying increased influence and credibility and advancing their own organizational goals;
• Creative solutions with holistic approaches to change and transition frequently emerge from the differing perspectives which partnerships offer;
• Partnerships allow members to eliminate duplication or overlap of activities, making effective use of limited resources; and
• Communities of practice grow stronger, with improved relationships between diverse groups as partnerships expand.

Partners may include organizations that represent ESI Pan-Canadian Community Outreach target groups, community and volunteer organizations, libraries, school boards, community colleges, universities, provincial, territorial and municipal governments, Aboriginal band, tribal councils or First Nations, labour or professional associations, federal government departments or agencies, co-operatives, sector councils or private companies.

DELIVERABLES

RCs will be required to submit the following to HRSD:

• Quarterly financial claims, in accordance with the required reporting format, describing the use of funds;
• Quarterly progress reports, in accordance with the required reporting format, providing an update on the results achieved, issues, and future activities;
• Annual financial audit reports;
• Annual external evaluation reports;
• A final report (maximum 25 pages), including a two-page bilingual executive summary, providing an overview of project activities, accomplishments in relation to the initial objectives, outcomes in the targeted population, etc.

APPLYING FOR FUNDING

If you are interested in applying for funding, first consider the following:

• How are the objectives of Pan-Canadian Community Outreach Call for Proposals linked to the objectives and mission of your organization?
• What capacity (experience and resources) does your organization have to manage a three-year project to offer multi-tiered services in innovative and effective ways?
• Which relationships and connections can your organization draw on to create a national network of local enablers?

If you wish to apply for funding, all the forms needed to complete your application package are available on our Web site at (need to update/confirm): http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/hip/lld/olt/ADULTLLES/CFP-2006/ESI/ESI.shtml

HOW AND WHERE TO APPLY

Ensure the Guidelines have been followed, and the form is complete using the Funding Application Form Checklist (Section 8).

Applications missing any of the following items will not be considered:

• The original plus two (2) paper copies of the fully completed and signed Application for Funding form 
• One (1) electronic copy of the completed application form on CD-ROM or diskette in Microsoft Word format

Please do not bind the paper copies or use cerlox bindings or duo-tangs.  Applications must be sent by mail or courier and post-marked no later than October 6, 2006 .  HRSDC assumes no responsibility for submissions that are misdirected or delayed.

Send application packages to the following address:

Education Savings Incentives Pan-Canadian Community Outreach Call for Proposals
c/o Adult Learning, Literacy and Essential Skills Program
Human Resources and Social Development Canada
140 Promenade du Portage
Phase IV
Gatineau, QC K1A 0J9

For more information, please contact us at:

     Telephone: 1-819-953-0300

     E-mail: allesp-paaacea@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca

SELECTION CRITERIA

Applications for project funding will be assessed on the basis of:

• Applicant’s eligibility and experience;
• Relevancy to program objectives
• Strategy and methodology for meeting program objectives,
• Coverage of geographic areas, official languages and target groups; and
• Overall quality of the proposal. 

Applicant organizations must :

• Provide a track record of successfully coordinating multiple stakeholders; 
• Have experience working with the target communities, either directly or through local enablers, to improve their socio-economic conditions on a sustainable basis;
• Have experience working with the public sector and/or financial institutions and/or  smaller social service organizations;
• Possess the organizational resources that will ensure success of the project; and 
• Be able to track and document outcomes.

Your application must :

• Identify collaborative strategies to address capacity building in innovative and effective ways;
• Identify intended impacts, deliverables and outcomes; 
• Propose an approach that demonstrates understanding of the complex causes of low income;
• Indicate how a range of local enablers will be involved;
• Include a complete, high quality action plan;
• Include a complete, credible budget that is clearly tied to proposed activities;
• Include an evaluation plan that demonstrates a solid methodology for measuring impacts and outcomes; and 
• Include measures to share experiences and disseminate results.

Your application must also demonstrate an approach which is:

• Client-centred, respectful and non-judgmental;
• Oriented to helping clients develop their own realistic immediate and longer term goals;
• Proactive in helping targeted individuals and families overcome systemic barriers to achieving their goals; and 
• Inclusive of the range of existing community resources and supports.

Please note that proposals will not necessarily be approved and that HRSDC reserves the right to reject some or all proposals submitted under this Call for Proposals.  Project recommendation and approval is subject to the availability of funds and to HRSDC's budget considerations.

THE APPROVAL PROCESS

Your Application for Funding form must be complete for your proposal to move to the assessment stage.  After the initial screening, reviewers examine eligible proposals.  Selections are based on the requirements described in these Guidelines and supporting documentation.  Successful projects are then presented to a review committee composed of government and non-government experts, before final recommendations are made.  All applicants are informed once the selection process is complete.

WHEN A PROPOSAL IS APPROVED

Once a proposal is approved, a HRSDC officer contacts the applicant to negotiate a Contribution Agreement.  At that time, any concerns that may have been raised during the application review and approval process will be discussed with the applicant and changes may be negotiated.

Funding will be provided by means of the Contribution Agreement.  The Contribution Agreement, signed by the funding recipient and the appropriate government authority, identifies the conditions of the agreement and the rights and obligations of all signatories.  Funding applicants must be able to enter into agreements with the Government of Canada under the terms of the applicable laws of the province or territory in which they operate.  If your organization is located in the province of Quebec you may need to take into account the provisions of Chapter M-30 of the Revised Statutes of Quebec.

Generally, project expenditures are reimbursed each quarter based on claims and the submission of a progress report by the recipient.  A final report must be submitted at the end of a project providing an overview of the project and results achieved prior to final payment being made.

ANNEX A

Introduced in 1998, the Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG) is a grant paid by the Government of Canada as an incentive for Canadians to contribute to Registered Education Savings Plans (RESPs).  RESPs are tax-sheltered savings plans that help finance a child’s post-secondary education.  Several types of RESPs are available; contributions grow tax-free, but are not tax deductible.

The CESG program provides a 20% grant on any amount up to the first $2,000 of annual RESP contributions made on behalf of a child, amounting to a maximum grant of $400 each year.  The CESG program is delivered through Canada’s financial institutions that apply to HRSD for the grant on behalf of subscribers and distribute it into the subscriber’s RESP.

In March 2004, the Government of Canada introduced enhancements to the CESG in order to improve incentives for lower and middle income families to save for their children’s education.  Program enhancements include: 

• Initial Canada Learning Bond (CLB) entitlement of $500 to be paid into a Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) for each child born on or after January 1st, 2004 living in families entitled to the National Child Benefit (NCB) supplement for the child;
• Additional annual CLB entitlement of $100 for each year in which the family is entitled to the NCB supplement for the child, up to the year in which the child turns age 15; and 
• Higher CESG rates starting January 1st, 2005 that provide greater recognition and support for parental savings efforts:
  •  40% on the first $500 of RESP contributions for families with family income below $35,000;
  • 30% on the first $500 of RESP contributions for families with family income between $35,000 and $70,000; and
  • 20% on all other RESP contributions.

In January 1, 2005, The Alberta Centennial Education Savings Plan was introduced by the Government of Alberta to encourage families to begin planning and saving for their children’s post-secondary education.

• The Government of Alberta will provide an initial grant of $500 to a Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) for all Alberta children born in 2005 and beyond. 
• Beginning in 2013, subsequent grants of $100 will be available to students enrolled in school in Alberta at ages 8, 11 and 14.  A deposit of at least $100 during the previous year into an RESP will be required to receive the $100 grant.

The following application materials and guidelines have been developed for this initiative.  Please ensure that you review these materials and guidelines in preparing your application for funding.

• Education Savings Incentives Pan-Canadian Community Outreach - Call for Proposals
• Background Information about the Education Savings Incentives Pan-Canadian Community Outreach initiative
• Education Savings Incentives FAQ

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