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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-024-08Leading the Way ~~~~~~ REPORT COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT Meeting: GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE a / Q~ Date: December 1, 2008 .Resolution #: ~~f 1 ~b~g~~C~ Report #: CSD-024-08 File By-law Subject: MUNICIPAL GRANT REVIEW Recommendations: It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee recommend to Council the following: 1. That Report CSD-024-08 be received; 2. That the revised Community Grant Policy (Attachment #1) and Community Grant Application Form (Attachment #2) be approved; 3. That funding requests historically received through the Municipal Grant Program from the Newcastle Community Hall, Community Care Durham-Clarington and the Clarington Older Adult Associa>lion be re-directed to the Municipal budget process; 4. That funding of the fytunicipal Grant Program of $1 per capita be preserved; and 5. That requests from community Organizations for financial assistance or for the waiving of fees for Municipal', Recreation Facilities received by the Clerks Department be forwarded directly to the Community Services Department for an eligibility review and report to the General Purpose and Administration Committee. Submitted by: of Community Services Reviewed by: ' ~"°"v~--' " -" Franklin Wu Chief Administrative Officer JPC/SM/SC/wg CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON 40 TEMPERANCE STREET, BOWMANVILLE, ONTARIO L1C 3A6 T (905)623-3379 F (905)623-5506 REPORT NO.: CSD-024-08 PAGE 2 1.0 BACKGROUND 1.1 For many years the Municipality of Clarington has provided a grant program for local organizations and groups who provide direct programs and services to the residents of Clarington. 1.2 The current Municipal Grant Program is funded by the Municipality on a $1 per capita basis. In 2008, the available grant fund totalled $80,000. 1.3 In September 2007, a staff report recommended revisions to the current program in the area of eligibility. Several changes were recommended and subsequently approved in report CSD-014-07. As indicated in the report, staff identified that the current grant program would evolve over time to address the needs of a growing community. It was noted that the grant program would be reviewed with modifications being recommended on an on-going basis. 1.4 During the previous grant cycle Members of Couhcil requested a review and recommendations pertaining to the following; • organizations receiving funding from the Municipal Grant Program and the municipal budget process • processing of requests received after the deadline • requests from individuals • Rotary Club, Canada Day Fireworks Staff has considered these items and is proposing some changes as a result of the review. 2.0 SUMMARY OF PROPOSED CHANGES EFFECTIVE 2009 GRANT PROCESS: 2.1 Applicants Currently Receiving Greater than $5,000 Funding from the Municipality of Clarington 2.1.1 The current criteria states that grant requests to the Municipal Grant Program must not exceed $5,000; however, there is a historical exception in practice pertaining to particular groups with funding in excess of $5,000 that are transferred directly through to the municipal budget process. 2.1.2 Currently there are three organizations, Newcastle Community Hall, Community Care Durham-Clarington and the Clarington Older Adult Association who apply through the Municipal Grant Program for the initial $5,000 of their request and receive the balance of their request through the municipal budget process. 2.1.3 For 2009, staff recommends that the Municipal Grant Program be limited to $5,000 with no other source of municipal funding and the three applicants (Newcastle Community Hall, Community Care Durham-Clarington and the REPORT NO.: CSD-024-08 PAGE 3 Clarington Older Adult Association) be removed from the Municipal Grant Program and funded solely through the municipal budget process. This change would provide a consistent process for Organizations receiving greater than $5,000 in annual funding from the Municipality. There are presently several organizations who receive municipal funding in excess of $5,000 who do not go through the Municipal Grant Program but where consideration is given directly through the budget process. (Firehouse Youth Centre, Visual Arts Centre and Clarington Museums and Archives) 2.2 Applications Received after the Deadline 2.2.1 Traditionally applications for the Municipal Grant Program are available toward the latter part of the year for the upcoming year. Annually an application deadline is established after which staff completes a review of requests received and prepares a report for Council's consideration. It has been the past practice of Council not to allocate the full funding amount on the initial requests, but to hold back a portion of the overall amount to be allocated on requests that are received throughout that calendar year. 2.2.2 Currently requests for funding received after the established "deadline" have been sent directly to Council and are generally referred back to staff for review and a report. For 2009, staff is recommending that all requests for funding regardless of when they are received require an application and be sent directly to Community Services for review and a report to Council. By having requests sent directly to Community Services, staff expects this change will expedite the process from the current timeline. 2.3 Boards of Council and Hall Boards 2.3.1 Presently there are 15 Boards that are recognized by the Municipality. Staff has reviewed the funding history of the various Boards. Some Boards annually request/receive funding and others that have not requested any funding in the recent past. 2.3.2 While it was suggested that there may be a way of funding Hall Boards in a more consistent fashion, staff have determined that by creating a annual consistent formula for funding Hall Boards we would be funding groups that may not need support in a particular year and therefore have less resources to fund Organizations who require funding in a given year. 2.3.3 Staff recommend that the present process of reviewing each application, including Boards of Council and Hall Boards requesting less than $5,000 annually on its own merits, continues. REPORT NO.: CSD-024-08 2.4 Requests from Individuals PAGE. 4 2.4.1 In 2008, three requests were received from individuals seeking financial support from the Grant Program. Two were for events that were singular in nature and did not benefit the community in general and one request from an individual for a community fundraising event as a result of a local disaster. 2.4.2 The current objective of the Municipal Grant Policy is geared to established Organizations as opposed to individuals or informal groups. Staff recommends this requirement continue as this is in line with the intent and "purpose" of the policy and ensures that funds granted have a wider impact and positive result for the community. 2.5 Rotary Club Fireworks, Canada Day in Clarington 2.5.1 From 1998 to 2002 the Municipality, through the Communications and Marketing Division, provided a community fireworks display at Mosport Speedway on the May 24th weekend, in conjunction with the Backyard Festival. This event was discontinued in 2003. 2.5.2 In 2005, the Rotary Club of Courtice received funding to offset the costs of the initial "Canada Day in Clarington" event, which included a fireworks display, at the Garnet B. Rickard Recreation Complex. Funding through the Municipal Grant Program was extended annually up to and including 2008. 2.5.3 While Canada Day Celebrations have historically been well received and attend by residents, under the current funding criteria the Rotary Club are ineligible to receive funding through the Municipal Grant Program as they are a Service Club. 2.5.4 Staff has reviewed the criteria in regard in service club eligibility and it is recommended that the criteria remain unchanged in order to maintain the integrity of the grant program. 3.0 CONCLUSION 3.1 .The Municipal Grant Program is in place to support the many volunteer and not-for-profit community organizations and associations based in Clarington. Al this time Staff recommends the title of this program be changed to better reflect the target audience; in future, staff will be referring to this program as the "Community Grant Program". 3.2 The Municipal Grant Program has proven to be an effective vehicle which allows Council to acknowledge and support the efforts of our local volunteer community and not-for-profit agencies that provide services, events or projects which benefit the community. REPORT NO.: CSD-024-08 PAGE 5 3.3 The revisions presented in this report and the acknowledgement that the policy must continue to evolve as our community grows will ensure that the Municipal Grant program will provide the much needed support to the community into the future, in a fiscally responsible manner. 4.0 INPUT FROM OTHER SOURCES 4.1 This report has been reviewed for recommendation by the Recreation Services Manager, with the appropriate departments and circulated as follows for: Concurrence: Director of Finance Attachment #1 -Community Grant Policy Attachment #2 -Community Grant Application Form Attachment # 1 to CSD-024-08 Lea~lrr~ tJxe tYe~ COMMUNITY GRANT POLICY I. PURPOSE: The Municipality of Clazington acknowledges the efforts of our local volunteer community and believes that many services, events or projects are best provided through the volunteer efforts of local community organizations. Community Grant funding demonstrates Council's commitment to working with community organizations without eroding their strength and independence and encourages organizations to work toward financial self sufficiency. The Community Grant program provides financial assistance to not-for-profit, volunteer community organizations to provide direct services, events or programs to the benefit of the residents of Clarington. This policy establishes. eligibility requirements and the application process. Applicants are further encouraged to pursue other opportunities for financial support. 2. ELIGIBILTY CRITERIA: The following maybe eligible for a Municipality of Clarington Community Grant: 1) Not-for-profit or volunteer based organizations within the Municipality of Clarington or the Region of Durham delivering programs, events or services to the residents of Clazington. Regionally based organizations must provide details demonstrating how their service will directly benefit the residents of Clarington. 3. FUNDING CATAGORIE3: 1) Recreation/Leisure • is defined as those organizations offering athletic or leisure opportunities not offered by the Municipality 2) Civic • is defined as those organizations providing events or services promoting the Municipality of Clarington which could be expected to bring economic and/or public relations benefit to the Municipality Community Services Department CSD-024-08 3) Social • is defined as those organizations offering a specific service (other than recreationaUleisure) to residents of the Municipality, which is not considered to be the responsibility of another level of government 4) Boards of Council and Hall Boards • is defined as a group of individuals appointed by Council who manage and maintain a municipally owned facility. (Please note; grants will be considered for operational expenses only. Capital requests must be referred to the appropriate municipal representative for consideration during the annual municipal budget process) 4. PURPOSE OF GRANT: Grants may be provided to eligible applicants as defined above, for: General operating and capital expenses (with the exception of Hall Boards who may only apply for general operating) up to a $5,000 maximum Activities/events generally occurring within municipal boundaries; or For programs, activities and events addressing a community need or contributing to the positive image of the municipality The Community Grant Program is not intended to provide funding: • In excess of $5,000 • To organizations with a political mandate, such as citizen ratepayers associations • To individuals • To organizations that provide services or programs that aze the responsibility of another level of government • To organizations not in good financial standing with the Municipality of Clarington • To organizations that make donations; or • For debt repayment 5. COMMUNITY GRANT APPLICATION: Applications aze available from the Municipal Administrative Centre or the Municipality's website as of November 1st each year. Completed applications aze due by early December or as outlined in the public notice published annually. Late submissions will be accepted pending the availability of funds. 1) Applications will be accepted only from organizations with an elected executive and one of the following: Community Services Department CSD-024-08 • A constitution, a mission statement, or a statement of purpose 2) All requests for funding must be accompanied by a fully completed "Community Grant Application" and must be forwarded to the Community Services Department. 3) Applications must be legible, completed in full, signed and include all required documentation. 4) Successful applicants maybe required to submit a year end accounting of all grant dollars received from the Municipality. Community Services Department CSD-024-08 Attachment # 2 to CSD-024-08 Address Province I Postal code Position ~ Telephone rtnanctat Hsstsrance rcequesrea 2009 Request (insert dollar figure) 2008 Receipt, if applicable (insert dollar figure) ~errtncarton We certify that, to the best of our knowledge, the information provided in this Application for a Community Grant is accurate and complete, and endorsed by the organization which we represent. Name Position with Date Organization/Association me ,_, .,.,.,.,..~ , W~,..y t,+s d Position with Organ ization/Association 1 CSD-024-08 Char! Lepding eke WUy COMMUNITY GRANT APPLICATION -ORGANIZATION Leading the Way COMMUNITY GRANT APPLICATION -ORGANIZATION Instructions for the Use of this Form Summarize and list operating expenditures by major object of expenditure classification for your organization's fiscal year (12 month operation) as follows: (a) Personnel Costs Costs for regular full-time, part-time and overtime salaries as well as the cost for all benefits paid (Unemployment Insurance, Canada Pension Plan, Employer Health Tax, etc.). (b) Office Supplies Cost for office supplies, printing and reproduction, books, subscriptions, postage. (c) Building/Equipment Supplies Cost for janitorial materials and supplies, paint, hardware and small tools, automobile parts and accessories, gas, oil and propane. (d) Professional Services Advertising, communications, insurance, meals, travel, educational charges, consultant's fees and other services. (e) Maintenance and Repair Maintenance, rental and repair of buildings, vehicles and equipment. (f) Utilities Heat, hydro, sewer and water. (g) Ca it~al Cost for acquisition of all items of equipment, furniture, land, buildings and major improvements. (h) Contributions and Financial Charges Costs for contributions/donations made to others, interest and principal payments of debt, provision for reserves for future purchases, bank, collection charges, etc. List all sources of revenue received: (a) Grants -Provincial, Federal, United Way, Lottery, etc. (excluding granfs from the Municipality of Clarington) (b) Sales of Goods or Services (c) Membership Fees (d) Donations (e) Other Revenue (f) Previous Year's Surplus or (Deficit) ran s Enter your net (deficit) or surplus ~1) minus (2). Part 4 _Enter grants from the Municipality of Clarington. Part 5 Enter vour net (deficitl or surplus: (31 plus or minus (4). CSD-024-08 asaa~s «e way COMMUNITY GRANT APPLICATION -ORGANIZATION Statement of Estimated Revenues 8 Expenditures (to nearest dollar) Organization Name Fiscal Year (month to month for 12 months) 1 Expenditures 2007 Actual $ 2008 Forecast $ 2009 Estimate $ a) Personnel Costs b) Office Supplies c) Building/Equipment Supplies d) Professional Services e) Maintenance and Repair f) Utilities g) Capital h) Contributions and Financial Charges Total Gross Expenditures (2) Revenue a) Grants b) Sales of Goods or Services c) Membership Fees d) Donations e) Other Revenue f) Previous Year's (Deficit)/Surplus Total Revenue (3} Net (Deficit)/Surplus Before Grants from the Municipality of Clarington 1 minus 2 (4) Grants from the Municipality (5) Total Net (Deficit)/Surplus Name Position with Date Organ ization/Association I CSD-024-08 lar~ngto~ Leading the Way COMMUNITY GRANT APPLICATION -ORGANIZATION Declaration and Acce tance of Conditions 4)r;ganiaa'ftcrn Name. i!' Address: In the event that the funds allocated are not used for the services, event orproject as described in the application, or if there are misrepresentations in the application, the full amount of the financial assistance may be payable forthwith to the Municipality. 2. If there are any changes in the funding of the services, event orproject from that contemplated in the application, the Municipality will be notified of such changes through the Community Services Department. 3. The applicant will make or continue to make attempts to secure funding from other sources. 4. The applicant will keep proper books of accounts of all receipts and expenditures, relating to the services, event or project described in the application. 5. The applicant will retain and make available for inspection by the Municipality or its auditors all records and books of accounts of the Organization upon request from the Municipality, (which may be made within two years of the grant award). 6. If the services, event or program proposed in the applicant's application are not commenced, or are not completed and there remain municipal funds on hand, or if the services, event or project are completed without requiring the full use of the municipal funds, such funds will be returned to the Municipality. 7. The applicant agrees that the services, event or project shall not be represented as a Municipal service, event or program, and that the applicant does not have the authority to act as an agency of the Municipality in any way, the only relationship being that the Municipality has approved and granted financial assistance to the applicant. 8. The applicant agrees to provide the Municipality a year end summary confirming the financial assistance provided by the Municipality was used for the services, event or project as described in their application. Failure to provide such documentation will rule them ineligible for further financial assistance under this program. We certify that, to the best of our knowledge, the inforrnation provided herein is accurate and complete and is endorsed by the Organization, which we represent. Title: Name: Signatu Date: Title: Signature: This application must be singed by two (2) Members of the Executive. CSD-024-08