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Education Savings Community Outreach - 2007 Call for Proposals

Table of Contents:

1. Introduction
2. Objectives
3. Priority Areas
4. Application Process
5. Application Documents
6. Contact Information
7. Additional Information
8. Service Standards

Introduction:
The opportunity to learn through full-time or part-time study, in a variety of settings, is vital for Canadian children to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to meet the challenges of an evolving workforce and a changing economy. In that regard, Human Resources and Social Development Canada (HRSDC), Canada Education Savings Program (CESP), supports access to higher learning for all Canadians through education savings incentives.

Objectives:
The Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG) and the Canada Learning Bond (CLB) are incentives offered by the CESP to individuals and families to plan and save early for their children’s post-secondary education (PSE). The Education Savings Community Outreach is a strategy to inform eligible individuals and families about the benefits available to them and support them in setting up a Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) to access these benefits.

This nationally, regionally, or locally coordinated community-based approach raises families’ awareness of the advantages of saving early for their children’s PSE and informs people of available education savings incentives including the CESG and the CLB.

Priority Areas:
Projects must:

• Promote the importance of learning and of saving early for PSE among modest and middle income Canadian families, specifically targeting:
  • Families with newborns or young children
  • Aboriginal people
  • Immigrants
  • People living in rural and remote areas
    
    
• Develop and deliver outreach and awareness activities* related to the CESP and education savings incentives including the CESG and the CLB
  
• Identify and reduce barriers preventing modest and middle income families from saving early for their children’s PSE through an RESP by developing appropriate learning and outreach strategies and activities
  
  
• Offer continued support to facilitate and encourage ongoing savings for children’s PSE by creating networks and partnerships

• Increase financial literacy and knowledge through activities such as providing information, training, and building personal confidence

* When developing and promoting activities and supports, CLB, CESG and RESP legislation and regulations must be respected.

Application Process:
Education Savings Community Outreach is a contribution program offering funding to various organizations or associations with a mandate in the area of socio-economic development and/or learning. Organizations interested in developing an outreach project can apply for funding through the 2007 Call for Proposals. The “Guidelines for Project Proposals ” provides information on funding levels, eligibility and the application process. Applications must be sent by mail or courier and post-marked no later than Wednesday, October 10th, 2007 to the following address:

Education Savings Community Outreach - Call for Proposals
c/o Martin Ravary
Skills Employment Branch, Financial Monitoring Unit
Human Resources and Social Development Canada
140 Promenade du Portage, Phase IV, 6th Floor
Gatineau, QC  K1A 0J9

Application Documents:
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.

• Guidelines for Proposals (.pdf)
• Instructions and Checklist (.pdf)
• Application for funding (.doc)
• Proposal Template for Applicants (.doc)
• Additional Information about the Sponsor M-30 [for Québec applicants only] (.pdf)
• Determination of Whether an Environmental Assessment is Required (.pdf)
• Budget (.xls)
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Glossary of Terms

Contact Information:
Jane-Ann Hyppolite
Telephone: 1 819 994-1874
E-mail: cesp-pcee@hrsdc-rhdsc.gc.ca

Additional questions with regard to the Call for Proposals or the CESP should be directed to Jane-Ann Hyppolite at the contact information provided above. Responses will be provided to the applicant within five business days and questions and answers of interest to all applicants will be posted on the Frequently Asked Questions web page. Please check frequently to remain current of all additional information.

Additional Information:
For more information on the CESP, please click here to go to the Canada Education Savings Program website.

Service Standards:
Service Standards for this Call for Proposals are being piloted in collaboration with the Grants and Contributions Centre of Excellence, HRSDC (see below for Service Standards). Please be aware that you may be contacted throughout the process to help assess the CESP’s performance in meeting the stated goals in service provision.