Kinark Foundation

The Kinark Foundation accepts applications for funding from all eligible organizations according to these Grant Application Guidelines.

ELIGIBILITY

Is Your ORGANIZATION Eligible?

1. Under the Income Tax Act, the Foundation may make grants only to "qualified donees"; for the most part, this means federally registered charities. In some cases, grants may be made to First Nations considered to be a public body performing a function of government. If you are unsure whether your organization qualifies for funding, please contact the Foundation prior to submitting an application. Your charitable registration number must be included on the Grant Application Cover Sheet.

2. Eligible grant recipients must be based in Ontario and provide services to children, youth and families living in Ontario.

3. Multiple organizations wishing to collaborate on a single initiative may apply. A registered charity must be identified as the lead organization and will be responsible for receiving the funds, providing oversight to the project and submitting the required progress and final reports.

4. Eligible recipients must submit a written proposal according to the Grant Application Process outlined below.

Is Your PROJECT Eligible?

1. Proposals must address one or more of the following target areas:

Services for children, youth and families including prevention, education, respite and treatment;
Research and pilot projects;
Collaborative community-based projects; and
Capital and infrastructure (e.g. equipment, building projects).

2. Your project must also meet several of the following funding criteria:

Enhance child development and promote the mental well-being of children and youth;
Positively impact families;
Encourage innovation, research and use of evidence-based practice;
Create awareness and understanding of children's mental health issues; and
Build organizational and community capacity to respond to the needs of children and youth with mental health problems and their families.

3. The project must be completed within the timeframe identified in the proposal; there is currently no funding of multi-stage projects.

What the Foundation will not fund:

Grants to individuals;
Initiatives that receive sufficient core funding;
Deficit financing;
Events that have already occurred or are in progress;
Activities that do not meet Foundation ethics, accountability or diversity principles.

GRANT APPLICATION PROCESS

To apply for funding, please provide 5 hard copies of your completed Grant Application Cover Sheet, Proposal and Budget to the Kinark Foundation office. Alternatively, these materials may be sent electronically (to: executivedirector@kinarkfoundation.org) with 5 hard copies of the required attachments delivered to the Foundation office by the deadline date.

A completed application must include the following:

1. Grant Application Cover Sheet, which includes:

Name of applicant organization
Charitable registration number and date
Mailing address, telephone, fax, website address
Primary contact name, title, telephone and e-mail address (Secondary contact, if required)
Project title and brief description
Project budget
Amount requested
Project timeframe

2. Proposal, which may be a maximum of five pages and must include:

Project title;
A 100 word executive summary of the project;
Brief background on the applicant organization including mission statement and overview of key services/programs;
Describe how your project fits with the Foundation's target areas and funding criteria and why your organization is qualified to carry out the work;
Description of the project, including objectives, target audience, number of individuals to be served, geographic location of project/program, key dates;
Primary strategies/methods to be used and a work plan;
Anticipated outcomes;
Description of how outcomes will be measured;
Benefits to the local community;
Potential for sustaining impact or opportunities for expansion;
Brief description of the responsibilities of key personnel involved in the project, including their primary qualifications and skills;
If the project is a collaboration, include a brief description of each partner organization, their role in the project, and the reasons for forming the partnership;
Specific use of funds requested.

3. Budget, which must include the following:

Projections of all income and expenses;
Identify any other grants/donations (both requested and confirmed);
Specify any in-kind contributions to be provided and volunteer roles/hours;
Identify any revenue projections resulting from the project and their intended use.

4. Required Attachments:

List of Board of Directors;
Most recent audited financial statements;
Most recent Annual Report.

EVALUATION CRITERIA

All applications must be clear and complete and demonstrate the following:

Compelling potential for success in one or more of the target areas;
Strong match with funding criteria;
Positive impact for the target group;
Potential for lasting impact;
A clear method for demonstrating outcomes (i.e. evaluation);
Evidence of cost-effectiveness (i.e. demonstrating positive impact to a high number of children for dollars spent).

SELECTION PROCESS

1. A Grant Review Team will evaluate all proposals and make recommendations for funding to the Board of Directors. The composition of the Grant Review Team is at the discretion of the Kinark Foundation Board of Directors.

2. Decision of the Board of Directors is final.

NOTIFICATION

1. Successful applicants will receive written notification from the Foundation office.

2. Prior to the funds being provided, grant recipients will be required to enter into an agreement with the Foundation laying out the terms and conditions of the grant, along with communication, accountability and evaluation requirements.

GRANT CONDITIONS

1. Upon notification of a successful application, one individual must be identified to lead the project, receive funds, and provide reports.

2. A final report at the conclusion of the grant is required. In some cases, grant recipients will be asked to provide progress reports at regular intervals. Reporting requirements will be provided at the time the grant is made.

3. In order to maximize the impact of successful projects, grant recipients are asked to cooperate with the Foundation in its efforts to document and share information with stakeholders.

4. Grant recipients are expected to schedule a project visit with Foundation staff at least once during the project's operation.

5. Additional requirements may be placed on funding for specific projects. These will be defined at the time the grant is approved.

IMPORTANT DATES AND CONTACT INFORMATION

Applications for funding must be received by April 1st and November 1st. Send 5 copies of your completed Grant Application Cover Sheet, Proposal and Attachments to:

Kinark Foundation
Attn: Grant Review Team
500 Hood Road, Suite 200
Markham, Ontario L3R 9Z3

Or by email to:
executivedirector@kinarkfoundation.org