2010-2011 Guide to submitting proposals to the Contributions Program for Non-profit Consumer and Voluntary Organizations

Section 2 – Program Overview

Please read this section of the guide carefully. It will help you understand the Program and whether or not you are eligible to apply.

2.1 Eligibility

Who is eligible?

Eligible recipients will be voluntary organizations that are incorporated as non-profit corporations in Canada and which can demonstrate that they:

• have a governance structure which assures accountability to a membership representing the consumer interest;
• have the structure, governance and funding arrangements which do not expose them to commercial influence on their research and policy positions;
• are capable of reaching consumers who are not members of the organization itself;
• are competent, credible, and accountable in carrying out the projects;
• are guided by objectives which are consistent with the program objective.

Who is not eligible?

Individuals and profit-oriented organizations are not eligible for support under the Program. Industry, trade and professional groupings are excluded from eligibility, as are representatives of business or commercial interests. Government departments, agencies and organizations, academic institutions and their associated research agencies, and political parties and organizations involved in partisan political activity do not qualify for Program support.

2.2 Types of Funding Available

Two types of funding are available under the Program: Research Project Contributions, and Development Project Contributions. The total Program budget was $1,690,000 in 2009-10, most of which was devoted to Research Project Contributions.

2.3 Research Project Contributions

Research Project Contributions support sound research and analysis directed at consumer protection issues which are national in scope. They improve the capacity of consumer organizations to carry out such research and analytical activities.

Research projects aimed at supporting educational activities, conferences, workshops, exhibitions and promotional materials, magazines, guides, folders, web sites, training programs and the like are not eligible.

2.4 Development Project Contributions

Development Project Contributions are aimed at institution and capacity building for consumer and voluntary organizations, and fall into two categories:

• Organizational Development Project Contributions aim to strengthen an organization's capacity to diversify revenue sources and increase its level of self-sufficiency. Projects may include preparation of multi-year business plans, feasibility studies (including online services) and market analyses, or pilot projects for developing and producing products or services with the potential to generate long term revenues for the organization, or increase its visibility and/or the membership base.
• Consumer Movement Development Project Contributions aim to strengthen organizations' capacity to work collaboratively in the interest of Canadian consumers by developing joint plans and initiatives in the areas of policy research, analysis and development; by creating and implementing action plans to address issues of national concern; by making concerted international representations; and by establishing joint representation and communication initiatives with the public, with government, and with industry.

2.5 Program Budget Allocations

The amount of assistance will be that which, in the opinion of the Minister is required to ensure that the project proceeds successfully. The government assistance may not exceed the eligible costs supported. For more information on eligible costs, please refer to Section 7.

The maximum contribution per project is $100,000.

The maximum amount that can be awarded to a single organization per year is the sum total of $500,000 for all projects undertaken.

2.6 Project Duration

Projects may span a period of weeks or months. One-year projects may begin no earlier than April 1 of any given year, and must be completed by March 31 of the following year, at the latest.

Occasionally a project may span two years. Two-year projects may start on April 1 of a given year, and must be completed by March 31, two years later, at the latest.

The Program is being reviewed for renewal in 2011. You may submit two-year projects but they will be assessed on a case by case basis as the funding has not yet been confirmed for 2011-2012.