2006/2007 Funding Application Guide
Aboriginal Peoples' Program

Women’s Community Initiatives
Family Violence Initiative
Women’s Self-Government Participation

Objectives and Eligible Activities

Women’s Community Initiative

The objectives of the Women’s Community Initiative are: 

• to influence public policy and decision-making related to concerns and aspirations of Aboriginal women at all levels of Aboriginal and Canadian government;
• to maintain the cultural distinctiveness and preserve the cultural identity of Aboriginal women;
• to enhance and develop strong leadership capabilities, individual and collective skills and talents, so that Aboriginal women can play a central role in their own communities as well as participate effectively in Canadian society; and
• to undertake projects to improve the social and economic conditions of their community.

Women’s Community Initiative activities must be community-based, culturally relevant, and address one or more of the following issues. (Please note, the following are examples and not an exhaustive list) 

• Organizational/Skill Development and Capacity Building
• Rebuilding Cultural Strength
• Political Awareness and Representation
• Policy and Legislative Change
• Youth and Family Concerns
• Economic Development and Independence

Family Violence Initiative

The objectives of the Family Violence Initiative are:

• to examine and address issues of violence in immediate and extended Aboriginal families; and
• to research and develop holistic and culturally-appropriate responses to family violence. 

Family Violence Initiative activities must focus on one or more of the following specific issues:  

• Expanding the information base on family violence in Aboriginal communities
• Examining innovative, holistic, and traditional healing methods
• Developing community and culturally-appropriate models
• Assisting new communities to lay foundations and seek partners for long-term family violence initiatives
• Exploring partnerships that combine holistic/culturally appropriate approaches with conventional mainstream approaches
• Examining the application of new technology in addressing family violence in off-reserve communities, particularly for addressing the needs of Aboriginal youth
• Developing Aboriginal leadership and expertise in the field of family violence. 

Please note: Indian and Northern Affairs Canada is responsible for administering funding under the Family Violence Initiative for First Nations women living on-reserve. Information for Family Violence Initiative funding for First Nations can be found at:
http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/ps/fvp_e.html

Self-Government Initiative 

The objectives of the Self-Government Initiative are:

• to develop Aboriginal women’s positions, strategies and research on Aboriginal self-government;
• to participate and partner with other Aboriginal and women’s groups/organizations as well as Aboriginal governments on self-government initiatives; and
• to communicate with and inform Aboriginal women on this very critical issue affecting their lives and those of their children and families. 

Self-Government Initiative activities must focus on one or more of the following specific issues:  

• Fostering the involvement of Aboriginal women in existing and new women’s organizations both on boards and as members to address self-government issues;
• Supporting the full participation and partnering of Aboriginal women’s groups and organizations with Aboriginal organizations and governments in negotiating and implementing self-government;
• Developing Aboriginal women as community leaders and volunteers in the field of self-government;
• Creating community and information networks on the issue of self-government; and
• Developing/strengthening communications links, which will enable Aboriginal women and their organizations to interact with the local Aboriginal community or government on self-government initiatives. 

Eligible Recipients

Eligible recipients include not-for-profit, autonomous Aboriginal women controlled:

• organizations;
• independent community groups; and
• ad-hoc committees.

Please note, the following are not eligible to apply for funding: 

• individuals;
• non-Aboriginal organizations. 

Eligible Expenditures

Subject to ministerial approval eligible expenditures must be directly related to the project activities and may include: 

• salaries¹ and employee benefits, identifying the position and rate of pay for each
• travel within Canada²
• training for employees and volunteers
• meeting expenses
• equipment rental/service/purchase
• honoraria
• professional/consulting/Elder fees
• issue specific newsletters
• translation of specific materials produced as part of project
• administration (see below)

Administrative costs will not exceed 15 percent of the total approved funding, including any transfer of funds from project expenditures. Administrative costs at the project level may include:

• bookkeeping services
• office supplies
• insurance
• telephone, fax
• utilities
• postage, courier
• photocopying/printing
• rent for office space
• audit
• legal
• translation  

Ineligible Expenditures

 Ineligible expenditures are:

• capital construction and renovation
• stipends, allowances or honoraria for attendance in a course/activity
• costs incurred before the application is made
• salaries and honoraria for a principal officer or Board members
• regular annual general, executive or board meetings of an organization or association
• start-up and operation costs for institutions, training centres, commercial enterprises, and support for the development of cultural/professional industries
• on-going organizational newsletters
• contingency/miscellaneous fees
• deficit recovery

Proposal Format

In preparing your proposal, please ensure that you provide information to address each of the following points:

Objectives

The proposal must demonstrate how the project will help towards achieving one or more of the objectives of the Women’s Community Initiative and/or the objectives of the Family Violence or Self-Government Initiatives.

Support

The proposal must include the following:

• letters of support from the community to be served; and
• the name(s) of any organization(s) with which the applicant organization is affiliated.

Need

The proposal must include information on:

• the target population;
• why this project is needed; and
• community consultations.

Activities

The proposal must:

• describe the activity/activities to be funded, i.e., what will take place;
• clearly link each activity to the Women’s Community Initiative, Family Violence Initiative and/or Self-Government Initiative objective(s) that it addresses;
• describe how the proposed activity/activities meet the needs;
• include a proposed timetable/schedule showing when each activity would take place; and
• identify the staff position(s) that will carry out the project, e.g., full-time project coordinator and part-time cultural worker.

Expected results

The proposal must describe the expected results of the proposed activity/ activities, i.e., who is expected to benefit and how, and how these results relate to the project objectives.

The expected results should include:

• Quantitative results related to the project, e.g., number of workshops, number of participants, etc.; and
• Qualitative results that describe the impact of the project, e.g., as a result of the workshop, the participants gained knowledge/awareness/capacity in XYZ, etc.

Budget

The proposal must include:

• a detailed budget and cashflow statements that clearly links to the proposed activity/activities;
• budget notes that show how amounts were calculated;
• information on any other funds requested for the proposed activity/activities, including the source of funds, and how they are to be applied against the budget. 

Partnerships

The proposal must identify any organizations and institutions that will be involved in the project and clearly identify the role that they will play in the project. 

Reporting

The proposal must commit to providing timely activity, evaluation, and financial reports and other related information, as requested by the Department.           

Recognition

The applicant must describe how the APP contribution will be recognized in a way that ensures that both the participants and, to the fullest extent possible, the community are aware of the support provided by the Department of Canadian Heritage.

Former Public Servants

The applicant must disclose the involvement of former public servants who are subject to the Values and Ethics Code for the Public Service.

How to Apply for Funding

In addition to the proposal the applicant is required to complete the Department’s Funding Application Form. The Form may be obtained from a Program Officer or from the following web site
http://www.pch.gc.ca/pc-ch/form/index_e.cfm

As funds are limited, please contact a Program Officer before beginning work on an application. Refer to the Contact List for information about the Canadian Heritage office nearest you. Department of Canadian Heritage Program Officers can answer questions you may have concerning eligibility, proposal requirements, application deadlines and provide guidance on developing the proposal.

Please note that processing of a completed application takes 15-18 weeks and that project start dates must allow for processing time.

Contact List

Department of Canadian Heritage

Headquarters
15 Eddy Street
Gatineau, QC   K1A 0M5
Tel.: (819) 994-3835
Fax : (819) 953-2673
E-Mail: aboriginal-autochtone@pch.gc.ca

ATLANTIC REGION

QUEBEC REGION

ONTARIO REGION

PRAIRIES and NORTHWEST TERRITORIES

WESTERN REGION

Notes

1 Each position covered by salaries must be identified along with the amount paid to each.

2 In the case of employee travel, the rate of reimbursement may not exceed Treasury Board Guidelines on travel expenses as found at:
http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/pubs_pol/hrpubs/TBM_113/td-dv-c_e.asp