Adult Learning, Literacy and Essential Skills Program (ALLESP)

EDUCATION SAVINGS INCENTIVES PAN-CANADIAN COMMUNITY OUTREACH

HOW TO PREPARE YOUR FUNDING APPLICATION: POINT-BY-POINT

Please read the following before you complete your Project Funding Application. It explains the information requirements, and offers hints on how to avoid errors that may lead to the rejection of your application.

Section 1: Applicant Information

Reviewers use this section to confirm the organization’s eligibility and assess its ability to carry out the proposed project. They look for evidence that your organization:

Is both legally incorporated and not-for-profit;
Has a mandate and regular activities relevant to the ESI initiative;
Administers any other Government of Canada funding successfully;
Has both the experience and resources to carry out the project; and
Is financially and administratively sound.

Hint: Be sure you provide original signatures with your application.

Section 2: Executive Summary

The executive summary will be used by the selection panel in the application review process. In one page you won’t be able to include every point, but make sure you convey the purpose, target groups, activities and intended results of your project.

Hint: You may prefer to complete this section after preparing the detailed project description in Section 3.

Section 3: Project Description

Reviewers use the detailed project description to determine whether your project supports the goals of the ESI initiative, if it addresses the needs of the target groups and how you plan to achieve your objectives. They are looking for clear logical links between the main elements: Objectives ->> Activities ->> Budget ->> Outcomes.

(Anticipated start date) Nine months after the application deadline is a safe estimate, however this may vary depending on the number of applications received, the results of the assessment process and the time required to negotiate the individual contribution agreements with successful applicants.

Numbers in parentheses refer to the corresponding questions in Section 3.

(#1-2) Reviewers look for project objectives that are logically related to the ESI initiative. Outcomes should be concrete and measurable.

Hint: Don’t overstate your objectives and outcomes. They must be reasonable given the three-year timeframe of the project.

(#3-5) Reviewers should be convinced that your organization is aware of key potential players and can build working relationships with them. Demonstrate your capacity to plan, allocate and coordinate the work of several organizations to maximize benefits for target groups.

(#6) Reviewers look for evidence that you understand relevant issues and that your activities and those of your partners will address these problem. Support your statements with data from established authorities or statistics from your organization’s own experience.

(#7-8) Reviewers assess how well you have thought through the sequence of activities required to implement the project and that the activities and expected results are logically connected to your project’s objectives (listed in #1).

(#9) Reviewers should be convinced that you understand potential clients and partners, their information needs and the most effective way of letting them know about your project and getting them involved in it.

(#10) Reviewers look for evidence that you will use external evaluation as a project management tool to identify project design or implementation issues, refine processes and improve the final results of your project.

Hint: Schedule evaluation early in the project so that you can fully benefit from resulting improvements in activities or processes.

(#11) Reviewers will assess whether the knowledge and expertise you develop will be widely shared with others and ensure the results of your project have a broad and lasting impact.

(#12) If a project generates revenues, this revenue is normally applied to reduce the federal contribution.

Section 4: Detailed and Summary Budgets

Reviewers use this section to assess your organization’s ability to plan for the proposed project and to manage funds. They look for evidence that your budget:

Covers all elements listed in your action plan;
Explains expenditure items clearly and in sufficient detail;
Demonstrates that your organization and your partners are willing to commit to the project; and
Is organized in the format provided and free of calculation errors.

Remember to identify the GST when recording your cost items. HRSD will reimburse that portion of the GST not covered by your normal Canada Revenue Agency rebate for eligible project costs.

Hint: Check both your row and column totals. Errors make it difficult for reviewers to assess your budget.

Section 5: Key Project Personnel

Reviewers will look for a clear designation of responsibility for project coordination, financial management, project outcomes and reporting. Additional key positions may be appropriate for your project’s activities. It is not necessary to name individuals.

Section 6: Declaration – Amounts Owing in Default to the Government of Canada

Any amounts owing to the Government of Canada which are in default or arrears may be deducted from amounts payable under Contribution Agreements negotiated with successful applicants.

Section 7: Partnership Form

Each partner should fill out an electronic copy and a hard copy of the Partnership Form. Include both in your application package. Reviewers will evaluate the extent to which your partners will increase the project’s chance of success and maximize the impact of project in the target community.

Hint: You may want to offers partners copies of the “Background Information” and “Guidelines for Project Proposals” and a short description of your planned project.

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.