Donation Policy

Section 245 of the Municipal Act provides that a municipal council may by bylaw provide grants, gifts, or loans of money or municipal property to any person, institution, association, group, government or body of any kind.  The Town has established a Policy which offers grants to community groups and organizations for social, leisure and recreation purposes.

In the interest of promoting social, leisure and recreational activities in Watson Lake, it is recognized that it is in the interest of both the Town of Watson Lake and municipal clubs and organizations to enter into financial agreements that benefit residents of Watson Lake.

Budget:

Council shall identify an annual allocation of monies for donations and grants for organizations operating within its municipal boundaries.

Process:

Submissions shall be reviewed by the Town of Watson Lake Staff and recommendations made to Council for final decision.

Applications:

Council shall identify three intake dates for applications from local organizations:September 15, January 15 and May 15. Clubs and organizations may apply once a year for funding.  Funding is intended to support club activities in a broad way and should not be project-specific.

Criteria:

Written application should be made by the organization in a format that clearly addresses the following criteria. Grants and donations shall be evaluated using this criteria:

1. Depth of user base: how many residents participate in activities provided by the user group? Submit a list of paid membership and non-member users.

2.  Number of volunteers: how many residents volunteer for the organization? What is the number of hours contributed by volunteers and what is the type of activity done by the members?

3.  Fund raising initiatives: how pro-active has
the organization been in raising revenue? What have they fundraised in the year and what are those funds allocated for?

4.   Impact on community with regard to employment and spin-off benefits: how many people does the organization hire, what types of materials do they purchase within the community?

Does the organization attract visitors from outside the community to visit Watson Lake? Submit user statistics for the previous year.

5.   What is the annual O&M of the organization (two year financial statements are required)? If this is a new club or organization, then a yearly budget is required. What other sources of funding has the group accessed within the last year?

6.   Does the organization use Town facilitiesand what does that use look like – is it exclusive or cooperative- what will the Community receive for its contribution and what is expected of the Town?

7.  What are the organization’s long and short term plans for growth and   attracting participants?

8.  What initiatives does the organization conduct for its communication’s strategy?

9.   What is the historical relationship between the Town and the organization?

10. Is there any personal gain received by any of the key players within the organization? Are there any conflict issues? Is the organization transparent in its activities?

11. Clearly document the benefit to the Town that will result from
their financial support.

12. Demonstrate collaboration and cooperation with a variety of other
groups and organizations to achieve its goals.

13. Clubs and Organizations are not eligible to apply if
alternative funding is available.

 

Watson Lake Community Lottery Fund General Guidelines

Section 245 of the Municipal Act provides that a municipal council may by bylaw provide
grants, gifts, or loans of money or municipal property to any person, institution, association, group, government or body of any kind.  The Town has established a Recreation Grant Policy which offers grants to community groups and organizations for recreation
purposes.

1. Applications:

A.  Applications will be reviewed three (3) times per year. Deadlines are January 15, May 15, and September 15.

B. Applicants requesting over $500.00 must have at representative at the funding meeting.

C. Applications relating to Sports, Cultural and/or Community Development will be considered.

D. All applicants are requested to provide  with the application a current list of executive directors.

E. Applicants are encouraged to be affiliated with a parent governing body. This is to reduce any reflection of liability on the Watson Lake Recreation Advisory Committee and the applicant.

2. Distribution of Funds

A.  Applications for funding will be reviewed on their individual merit according to the
following priority:
a. Youth
b. Seniors 55+
c. Adult

B. A one-time start up grant for new groups may be approved to a maximum of $500.00.

C. Thrss  or more participants are considered a team (group) and can request up to $2,000.00 for travel expenses based on travel requirements.  1 or 2 participants are considered individuals and can request up to $500.00 each for travel expenses based on travel requirements.

D. Groups or individuals applying more than once in a twelve-month period will be given a lower priority on subsequent applications.

E. Groups or teams under one organization will be considered as one applicant

F. The maximum for a single application is $2,000.00

G. W. L. Recreation Advisory Committee reserves the option to advance the funding prior to submission of the receipts by the applicant. Failure to meet granting obligations will disqualify the applicant from future funding.

H. Watson Lake Recreation Advisory Committee will set up a bursary fund for children in need which will be distributed to the appropriate organization upon application.

3.  Items Eligible for Funding:

A. Travel – Transportation rate may be paid at 20 cents per kilometre based on four (4) persons per vehicle.  Mileage is based on the YTG road map.

B. Out of territory travel – Funding is based on 75% of costs of the cheapest available fare to a maximum of $320.00 per person.

C. Accommodation and meals – May be funded at $40.00 a day per person.

E. Registration Fees – Clinics, conferences or workshops may be funded 100%. NOTE: Coaches, Instructors and Officials questionnaire must be completed.

F. Contractor fees – May be funded to a maximum of 50% of day rate based on a minimum eight-hour day, to a maximum of ten (10) days per project or event.

G. Equipment – Non-personal up to $2,000.00. Quotes or unit prices must be provided.

Items not eligible for funding:

Assessment fees, medals, uniforms, trophies, costumes or prizes.

Notes:

1. Funding will be paid upon submission of receipts.  At the completion of your project or purchase, you are required to submit a final project report along with receipts to the Town of Watson Lake within six (6) months of the funding approval.  A written request must be submitted to the W.L. Recreation Advisory Committee for an extension.

2. Retroactive funding up to six (6) months may be considered at the discretion of the W.L. Recreation Advisory Committee.

Appeal process:
Upon denial of an application, the applicant may appeal in writing to the W. L. Recreation Advisory Committee within fourteen (14) days.