LGBTQ2 Community Capacity Fund: Information session presentation

Below you will find the presentation delivered during the information sessions for the call for proposals on the LGBTQ2 Community Capacity Fund.

(PowerPoint Version)

Presentation slides

1. LGBTQ2 Community Capacity Fund Information Session
2. Purpose
3. LGBTQ2 Community Capacity Fund objectives
4. LGBTQ2 Community Capacity Fund objectives (continued)
5. Eligible organizations
6. Eligible organizations (continued)
7. Eligible organizations (continued)
8. Ineligible organizations
9. Eligible activities
10. Eligible activities (continued)
11. Ineligible activities
12. Eligible expenditures
13. Ineligible expenditures
14. When and how to apply
15. Application process
16. Application process – Applicant guide
17. Application for funding
18. Section A: Organization information
19. Section B: Detailed project information
20. Section C: Budget template
21. Section D: Declaration and undertaking
22. Required document – Checklist
23. Review process
24. Review process (continued)
25. Review process (continued)
26. Review process (continued)
27. Review process (continued)
28. Available support
29. For more information

Slide #1

LGBTQ2 Community Capacity Fund information session

Call for Proposals 2020

Slide #2

Purpose

• The purpose of this information session is to provide:
  • Information on the LGBTQ2 Community Capacity Fund Call for Proposals
  • Information on the application process “When” and “How to apply”
  • An overview of the review process

Slide #2: Speaker’s notes

The purpose of the information session is to:

• Provide information on the LGBTQ2 Community Capacity Fund Call for Proposals
• Provide information on the application process as to “When” and “How to apply”
• Provide an overview of the review process

Slide #3

LGBTQ2 Community Capacity Fund – objectives

• The objective of the LGBTQ2 Community Capacity Fund is to build stronger capacity and networks of LGBTQ2 community organizations to advance LGBTQ2 equality across Canada.

Slide #3: Speaker’s notes

The objective of the LGBTQ2 Community Capacity Fund is to build stronger capacity and networks of LGBTQ2 community organizations, to advance LGBTQ2 equality across Canada.

Slide #4

LGBTQ2 Community Capacity Fund – objectives (continued)

• This call for proposals will support projects that will strengthen the capacity of LGBTQ2 community organizations in one or more of the following ways:
  • Building managerial capacity (for example, board governance, strategic planning)
  • Strengthening collaboration among organizations
  • Ensuring long-term sustainability (for example, diversification of funding sources)
  • Increasing access to evidence, data, information, and knowledge sources (for example, environmental scans to assess community needs)
  • Improving access to funding opportunities (for example, developing knowledge and expertise in grant writing)
  • Amplifying sector capacity at-large (for example, enhancing technical expertise)

Slide #4: Speaker’s notes

This call will support projects which will strengthen capacity of LGBTQ2 community organizations in one or more of the following ways:

• Building managerial capacity: supporting organizations in establishing basic organizational infrastructure, such as defining a clear organizational mandate, forming a board, or becoming incorporated or registered.
  • Not legally constituted applicant organizations MUST demonstrate a plan to becoming incorporated or registered as a component of any proposed project.
• Strengthening collaboration among organizations: which can contribute to establishing formalized networks, particularly where gaps exist; resource-sharing between organizations; or other approaches to collaboration.
• Ensuring long-term sustainability: Improving the long-term sustainability of the LGBTQ2 organization beyond the period of any funded project (for example, diversification of funding sources).
• Increasing access to evidence, data, information, and knowledge sources: strengthening access to knowledge on characteristics, challenges, needs, and diverse lived experiences of LGBTQ2 communities, thereby strengthening the ability of organizations and governments to formulate evidence-based policy approaches with respect to LGBTQ2 communities (for example, environmental scans to assess community needs).
• Improving access to funding opportunities: building knowledge and expertise within organizations to increase aptitude at identifying and applying for a broad range of government grants and contributions.
• Amplifying sector capacity at-large: supporting the development of tools, materials, knowledge, establishing networks and long-term partnerships, strategies, or processes that benefit LGBTQ2 organizations at-large, in addition to the applicant organization.

Slide #5

Eligible organizations

Applicants can apply for one of two streams:

1. For Canadian not-for-profit organizations that are already incorporated or registered

• Up to $400,000^{Footnote 1}  for organizations with a pan-Canadian scope for projects that support national or regional collaborations or capacity development
• Up to $300,000^{Footnote 1}  for organizations with a regional, provincial/territorial or interprovincial/inter-territorial scope that provincial/territorial or regional collaborations or capacity development
• Up to $100,000^{Footnote 1}  for organizations with a local scope that support capacity development

Slide #5: Speaker’s notes

The Government of Canada recognizes the additional costs of living and travelling in northern or remote areas. Consequently, you may be eligible to apply for an additional 25% should the activities be delivered in these areas (see Applicant Guide for definitions). Should you be eligible, the maximum funding amounts would be:

• up to $500,000 for organizations with a pan-Canadian scope,
• up to $375,000 for organizations with a regional, provincial/territorial or interprovincial/inter-territorial scope, and
• up to $125,000 for organizations with a local scope.

Definition of scopes for organizations (see question 6 of the applicant guide):

• Local: Activities of the organization cover at least one community
• Regional: Activities of the organization cover a district or region of a province or territory
• Provincial or territorial: Activities cover an entire province or territory
• Interprovincial or inter-territorial: Activities of the organization cover at least two provinces or territories (regional)
• Pan-Canadian: Activities of the organization will be delivered with potential of impact in at least three WAGE regions and will be carried out in both official languages (both official languages not required for Indigenous organizations). A community is defined as a group of people living in a particular area, such as a town, or a city.

Slide #6

Eligible organizations (continued)

2. For Canadian not-for-profit organizations that are not yet incorporated or registered

Projects that support initial capacity building including becoming incorporated or registered (maximum of $25K per project.)

While these organizations can engage in other capacity building activities, they must as part of their project, undertake the necessary steps to become legally constituted, allowing them to compete for further government funding.

After becoming incorporated or registered, organizations can undertake additional capacity building activities with the balance of the $25,000.

Organizations who are not legally constituted are not eligible for the additional 25% for Northern or remote areas.

Slide #6: Speaker’s notes

Under the second stream, not-for-profit organizations who are not yet incorporated or registered must undertake the necessary steps to become legally constituted, allowing them to compete for government funding in the future. (Maximum of $25K per project.) Organizations applying under this stream are not eligible for the additional 25% for Northern or remote areas.

Note that new organizations can also be set up under this stream to work (chiefly or primarily) with LGBTQ2 communities.

Slide #7

Eligible organizations (continued)

• Eligibility will be determined as per organizations’ mandates, visions or efforts, which should illustrate that the organization works primarily or entirely with LGBTQ2 communities.
  • Organizations must state that the main populations that benefit from their work are one or several LGBTQ2 communities.
  • An organization for whom LGBTQ2 communities are only one part of the larger population with which they work, or for whom LGBTQ2 communities are one of several subpopulations with which they work, are not considered eligible unless no such organization exists in their region or community.

Slide #7: Speaker’s notes

Eligibility will be determined by the following:

• Organizations’ mandates, visions or efforts should illustrate that an organization works chiefly or entirely with LGBTQ2 communities.
• Organizations must state that the main populations that benefit from their work are one or several LGBTQ2 communities.

If your organization does not work primarily or entirely with the LGBTQ2 community, you must explain how no such organization exists in your region or community.

Note that as part of their application, organizations could work in partnership with a non-LGBTQ2 organization in order to leverage resources, networks, etc.

Slide #8

Ineligible organizations

• Examples of organizations who would not be considered eligible include but are not limited to organizations:
  • Providing shelter for vulnerable youth, including LGBTQ2 youth; or
  • Addressing gender-based violence against women, including lesbian, bisexual and trans women.

Slide #8: Speaker’s notes

These are examples of organizations for whom LGBTQ2 communities are only one part of the larger population with which they work, or for whom LGBTQ2 communities are one of several subpopulations with which they work, and are therefore not considered eligible.

Examples :

• a mandate to provide shelter for vulnerable youth, including LGBTQ2 youth.
• a mandate to address gender-based violence against women, including lesbian, bisexual and trans women.

Slide #9

Eligible activities

• Eligible activities are those activities that build the capacity of an eligible organization whose initiatives advance a LGBTQ2 movement in Canada.

Slide #9: Speaker’s notes

Eligible activities are those activities that build the capacity of an eligible organization whose initiatives advance a LGBTQ2 movement in Canada.

The following are potential needs to be addressed and examples of eligible activities:

Human resources management

• Establishing and implementing recruitment, training and retention strategies
  • Activities designed to support the development or enhancement of skills within organizations in different subject areas
• Supporting the development and dissemination of tools for learning and skills development of members
  • Activities that support the development, use, and dissemination of tools and products for learning and skills development of members

Board governance

• Evaluating and improving board effectiveness or creating a board or governing body

Strategic planning

• Developing and implementing an organizational strategic plan, including regular results evaluation

Slide #10

Eligible activities (continued)

Slide #10: Speaker’s notes

Advocacy^{Footnote 3} 

• Building organizational capacity to affect change through the development of an advocacy strategy
• Increasing LGBTQ2 organizations’ capacity to advocate on LGBTQ2 issues
  • Activities that enable an organization to engage its target audience in an effort to better determine its needs and align (or develop a new service offering)

Sector coalitions and partnerships

• Developing and implementing collaborative initiatives for policy development or to increase sector sustainability
• Developing and implementing collaborative advocacy initiatives, including increased LGBTQ2 organization participation in intergovernmental collaborations
• Building and improving coalitions to strengthen the not-for-profit LGBTQ2 sector

Lack of public awareness on the lived experiences and barriers faced by LGBTQ2 individuals

• Conducting community-based research or other innovative projects that help identify the needs of the LGBTQ2 community

See Applicant Guide for a non-exhaustive list of eligible and ineligible activities.

Slide #11

Ineligible activities

Slide #11: Speaker’s notes

This is a non-exhaustive list of ineligible activities.

This call for proposals is not intended to provide core funding for organizations, or to fund service delivery projects to LGBTQ2 community members

Slide #12

Eligible expenditures

• Eligible expenditures are costs considered necessary to support the purpose of the project.
  • Direct costs include costs such as salaries for staff working on the project, for the duration of the project, and travel costs directly related to the project (within Canada).
  • Administrative costs include costs such as salaries for organization staff responsible for the supervision of project staff and IT maintenance (do not exceed 20% of the total funding requested from WAGE).
• All eligible costs are subject to assessment and negotiation and:
  • Must be reasonable
  • Must be linked to activities and expected results

Slide #12: Speaker’s notes

See the Applicant Guide for a non-exhaustive list of eligible and ineligible expenditures.

The total amount of administrative expenditures does not exceed 20% of the total funding requested from WAGE (budget template).

Slide #13

Ineligible expenditures

• Ineligible expenditures include, but are not limited to:
  • Capital expenditures, such as land, buildings, vehicles and other major capital costs, with the exception of computer equipment such as desktops, portables, and small peripherals required to carry out the project;
  • Salaries, allowances, and benefits for members of a board of directors or another decision-making body;
  • Budget deficits, debt reduction, organizational reserves or endowment funds; and,
  • Costs incurred before a funding decision is made.

Slide #13: Speaker’s notes

This is a non-exhaustive list.

Slide #14

When and how to apply

• The application period ends May 14, 2020 at 11:59 a.m. (noon) Pacific Time.
• Apply online using FluidReview.
• The Applicant Guide will help organizations to complete the application for funding.

Slide #14: Speaker’s notes

• Application period ends May 14, 2020, at 11:59 a.m. (noon) Pacific Time.
  • If not submitted by this date and time, applications will be deemed ineligible and be screened out.
• If this is your first time applying for funding under WAGE, you will need to create a FluidReview account in order to apply online.
• It is strongly recommended to read the Applicant Guide as it will help you to complete your application.
• If organizations still have questions after reading the Applicant Guide, they are invited to contact their respective Women and Gender Equality offices. This information is available at the end of this presentation.

Slide #15

Application process

• Applications and all supporting documents must be submitted by the deadline.
• An acknowledgement email is sent to all applicants.
• Applications are screened to ensure they meet eligibility criteria.
• Eligible applications are assessed by the Department and reviewed through an external review process.

Slide #16

Application process – Applicant guide

• Applicants are strongly encouraged to read the Applicant Guide prior to completing an application.
• The Applicant Guide will provide guidance on:
  • What is expected of applicants under this specific call
  • Instructions on how to develop an application and how to complete each question of the application form
  • Specific details on the eligibility and assessment criteria

Slide #16: Speaker’s notes

Please read the Applicant Guide in its entirety before completing an Application for Funding as it indicates how best to respond to questions.

The Applicant Guide will provide guidance on:

• What is expected of applicants under this specific call
• Instructions on how to develop an application and how to complete each question of the application form
• Specific details on the eligibility and assessment criteria

Slide #17

Application for funding

The main sections of the application for funding are:

Section A: Organization information

Section B: Detailed project information

Section C: Budget and sources of revenue template

Section D: Declaration and undertaking

Slide #18

Section A: Organization information

• WAGE uses the information provided in this section to establish the organization’s identity
• Question 17: Organization Mandate
  • Applicants must provide their organization’s mandate to demonstrate that they work primarily or entirely with LGBTQ2 communities.
    • If their organization does not work primarily or entirely with the LGBTQ2 community, applicants need to explain how no such organization exists in the region or community.

Slide #18: Speaker’s notes

WAGE uses the information you provide in this section to establish your organization’s identity

Question 17: Organization Mandate

• Provide your organization’s mandate to demonstrate that it works chiefly or entirely with LGBTQ2 communities.
• If your organization does not work primarily or entirely with the LGBTQ2 community, you will need to explain how no such organization exists in your region or community.

Slide #19

Section B: Detailed project information

• This section asks detailed information about the project, its scope and targets.
• Applicants must provide details on the linkages between the project’s objective, activities, budget and results as well as partners and stakeholders involved, if applicable.
• Question 40: Attach the completed work plan
  • Applicants will need to download the Word document, before completing, saving and attaching it to their application.
• Question 42: Partners
  • Applicants are asked to provide a list of partners and explain their role.

Slide #20

Section C: Budget and sources of revenue template

• The budget template is an Excel document and applicants will need to download, complete, save and attach it to their application.
• Instructions on how to complete the budget template are provided in the template (red tabs):
  • Green tabs are to list direct delivery costs only
  • Orange tabs are to list administrative costs only
• The sources of revenue template is to list the other sources of funding in line with the project, such as the following:
  • Financial contributions are to offset costs related to the project
  • In-kind contributions are non-monetary goods or services provided instead of cash

Slide #21

Section D: Declaration and undertaking

• Applications must be completed and signed electronically by the official representative(s) of the applicant organization in accordance with the organization’s by-laws or other constituting documents in order to be eligible.

Slide #22

Required document – Checklist

A complete application includes:

1. The application for funding form filled out in its entirety;
2. Attached proof of incorporation or registration, if applicable
3. Attached work plan in the Word template provided; and
4. Attached budget and sources of revenue forms in the Excel templates provided.

For organizations established in Quebec, applicants must also:

• Attached the organization’s most recent financial statements;
• Organizations subject to the Act respecting the Ministère du Conseil exécutif (M-30) are responsible for obtaining such authorization before any financing agreement with Women and Gender Equality Canada can be finalized. If your organization has previously received a Ministerial Order from the Government of Quebec, you should attach it to your application.

Slide #22: Speaker’s notes

Proof of registration is not expected from organizations that are not yet legally constituted; however these organizations can apply for a maximum of $25,000. 

Slide #23

Review process

Step 1: Initial screening for eligibility

Step 2: In-depth assessment

Step 3: Recommendation

Step 4: Approval

Slide #24

Review process (continued)

Step 1: Initial screening for eligibility

• Applications will be screened to ensure:
  • The application was submitted by the deadline
  • The application included all relevant attachments
  • The application was submitted by an eligible organization with proof of valid registration (if applicable)
  • The proposed eligible activities are capacity building

Slide #24: Speaker’s notes

These criteria will be used to conduct a first screening of the applications submitted under this call for proposals. (Proof of registration is not expected from organizations that are not yet legally constituted; however, these organizations can apply for a maximum of $25,000.) 

Applications that do not meet these criteria will not be assessed.

Details on these criteria can also be found in the Applicant Guide.

Slide #25

Review process (continued)

Step 2: In-depth assessment

Applications that pass screening will be assessed on:

• The relevance of the organizations to capacity fund objective: The application is aligned with the objective of the call for proposals and demonstrates that the organization works primarily or entirely with LGBTQ2 communities.
• Impact of activities: The application provides a clear description of each activity and demonstrates how the activities and results are relevant to the project objectives.
• Project management: Timelines are clearly established, feasible and aligned with project activities and the application demonstrates experience in successfully delivering projects and achieving positive results.
• Budget must clearly relate to activities: Costs are reasonable and detailed; support project objectives; are directly linked to project activities and results; total amount requested does not exceed the allowable funding level^{Footnote 4}  for the project and demonstrate and explain how the costs are good value-for-money.

Slide #25: Speaker’s notes

Slide #26

Review process (continued)

Step 3: Recommendation

• An external review process will be used
  • To provide an external perspective to the review assessment.
• The result of the review process will determine whether the project is recommended for consideration by WAGE.

Slide #27

Review process (continued)

Step 4: Approval

• Decision letters/emails are sent to all applicants
• If approved for funding, an agreement will be negotiated with the organization.
  • If project activities begin before a funding decision is made, expenses incurred before the date of the funding decision are ineligible.
  • Funded organizations will be expected to report on activities and results.
• Approved projects could begin no earlier than October 2020, and must be completed by March 31, 2022.

Slide #28

Available support

Applicant guide

Support services

Information sessions

Slide #28: Speaker’s notes

Efforts are made at WAGE to provide upfront support to organizations during an open call for proposals:

• The applicant guide clarifies how to best respond to questions of the application for funding. It is available on WAGE’s website.
• Organizations that experience technical difficulties, may send an email to the FluidReview team at CentreExpertiseSC-CentreofExpertiseGC.SWC@cfc-swc.gc.ca.
• WAGE Offices - Staff can provide clarifications, should you have questions about the call for proposals.
• Information sessions - Organizations that are considering applying to the LGBTQ2 Community Capacity Fund call for proposals should participate in an information session provided by WAGE. Consult the funding web page for the complete list of information sessions.

Slide #29

For more information

Visit the Department’s website

Be sure to click on link for the “LGBTQ2 Community Capacity Fund”

Important: read the Applicant Guide!

or

If you cannot find the specific information you need on the website, call us at the phone numbers indicated.

Please take a moment to complete our feedback form.

Slide #29: Speaker’s notes

For more information, please visit the Department’s website and be sure to click on link for the “LGBTQ2 Community Capacity Fund”

We cannot say this enough, it is very important to read the Applicant Guide.

If you cannot find the specific information you need on the website, call us at the respective phone number available on the previous slide of this presentation.

Thank you for joining us today. We would like to hear from you on today’s presentation to improve our service. Please consider taking the time to fill out the feedback form provided to you at this session.