Council Policy No.: CP2016-011 Council Policy Name: Legacy Community Hydro Electric Systems Transfers (C.H.E.S.T.) Fund Grant Policy and Application Date Approved by Council: October 4, 2016 Date revision approved by Council: Related SOP, Management Directive, Council Policy, Forms Application Form and Related Appendices Policy Statement and Rationale: This policy is made in accordance with the Order of the Commission Made Under the Municipal Act R.S.O. 1990, c.M. 45 dated April 19, 2000 relating all to former municipalities as follows: Town of Lindsay, Municipality of Bobcaygeon/Verulam, Village of Fenelon Falls, Village of Omemee, Village of Sturgeon Point, Village of Woodville, Township of Bexley, Township of Carden/Dalton, Township of Eldon (Kirkfield), Township of Emily, Township of Fenelon, Township of Laxton, Digby and Longford, Township of Manvers, Township of Mariposa, Township of Ops, and Township of Somerville. The mandate of the Order of Commission is that the hydro reserves of the public utilities commissions and hydro electric commissions of the former municipalities may, upon being transferred to the new municipality under section 11, be used for any purposes that the council of the new municipality considers appropriate but shall only be used for the benefit of the ratepayers of the geographic area of the former municipality which the public utility commissions or hydro electric commissions, respectively, served. The policy and application as set out herein will refer to the “Legacy C.H.E.S.T. Fund Grant Committee”, as opposed to individual Committees so that the document will be uniform and compatible across all Committees in their relevant geographic area. Scope: ABOUT THE LEGACY C.H.E.S.T. FUND The goal of the Legacy C.H.E.S.T. Fund is to provide financial assistance to non-profit, community-based organizations that provide programs, projects, services, or activities that enhance the quality of life for Lindsay residents in the areas of health, arts, culture, leisure, heritage, education and the environment
WHAT THE LEGACY C.H.E.S.T. FUND WILL NOT FUND Grants will not be provided: To individuals without a Sponsor – see Eligibility Criteria below On a retroactive basis or for a project that is already completed If duplication of funding received from another funder To cover budget deficits Day to day operating costs of an organization i.e. staffing, utilities, rent, property taxes, etc. For programs, activities or services outside the relevant geographic area To support programs or services geared specifically to activities related to ratepayer or tenant/landlord associations, or political parties For religious activities or instruction, including renovations to a place of worship unless it is also used for community activities or is a significant heritage site used for the general benefit of the community As donations to charitable causes To offset capital depreciation costs ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA To be eligible for funding applicants must: Be a non-profit incorporated organization, registered charity or be sponsored by an organization that is a non-profit incorporated group or registered charity. If an applicant is neither a registered charity nor a non-profit organization, an applicant must find a Sponsor Agency. The Sponsor Agency will receive the funds for the applicant, disperse them to the applicant, and be responsible for providing The Committee/Council with a reconciliation of actual expenditures for each grant awarded along with receipts and financial statements. The name and address of the Sponsor Agency with signature of sponsoring agency representative and a singed Sponsor Agency Agreement letter are required. All sections of the application must be completed by the Sponsor Agency Have demonstrated sound financial management. (as defined under the “Accountability” section) Be based in the relevant geographic area, and have a mandate to provide programs, projects, services, or activities that enhance the quality of life for residents in the areas of health, arts, culture, heritage, education, leisure and the environment Be able to show capabilities of providing the proposed service, project or program within identified measurable results
PARTNERSHIP Partnership is achieved when community groups work with each other and with individuals to plan and deliver programs, projects or services. A dispute resolution letter may be requested. ACCESSIBILITY (OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC) Accessibility is achieved when the programs, services, activities, or events are actively promoted to encourage the participation of all residents of the community; any fees charged are appropriate/reasonable; and the programs, services, activities, or events are made open to the general public. EFFECTIVENESS Effectiveness is achieved when the impacts or outcomes of a service, project or program can be clearly identified and measured and are found to be both consistent with the applicant’s mandate and would be positive for the community. To be categorized as providing an acceptable level of effectiveness, the applicant must demonstrate, at a minimum: That the applicant’s objectives, which may include a mission statement or mandate, are clearly stated That the programs, projects and services developed are consistent with the applicant’s objectives or mission statement That the applicant operates programs, projects or services on a self-sufficient basis where possible That the applicant evaluates services, projects and programs with input from participants That the applicant operates in a cost-effective manner and establishes a business plan ACCOUNTABILITY Accountability is achieved when the applicant exhibits sound management and financial practices and responds to the changing needs of the community. To provide an acceptable level of accountability, the applicant must demonstrate at a minimum: