Applicant Guide: Community-based projects (up $5,000) – New Horizons for Seniors Program

Provide the legal name of your organization. This is usually:

• the name associated with your registration with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), or
• the name that would appear on funding cheques.

Question 2 - Operating name

Provide the operating, or common, name of your organization if it is different from the legal name.

Question 3 - Year established

Indicate the year establishment for your organization.

Question 4 - Organization type

Select the most appropriate organization type from the following:

• non-profit organization
• private sector
• public sector

Question 5 - Organization category

Select the most appropriate organization category from the following:

Not-for-profit sector

• local community, charitable, or voluntary
• provincial non-governmental organizations
• national non-governmental organizations
• not-for-profit band councils
• non-governmental organizations (NGOs) with a focus on encouraging employment
• unions
• associations of workers or of employers
• Indigenous not-for-profit groups
• sector councils

Private sector

• businesses, bodies incorporated or unincorporated
• banks
• private universities or colleges
• Indian band corporations (profit basis)
• private band councils

Public sector

• public degree school boards/school districts
• municipal public health
• municipal governments and agencies
• provincial governments and agencies
• territorial governments
• public community colleges and vocational schools
• public degree-granting universities
• public degree-granting colleges

Question 6 – Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) business number

What is your 15-digit CRA business number? For registered charities and not-for-profit organizations, what is your registration number? For example, 123456789 RR 0001.

If you do not have a CRA business number, provide 1 of the following:

• your provincial or territorial corporation number. In other words, the number found on your Letters of patent
• your Registraire des Entreprises Québec (REQ) number
• your federal corporation number with Industry Canada
• a document confirming the proof of operations for your organization

Question 7 – Organization primary address

Indicate the primary address of your organization.

Question 8 - Mailing address

Indicate if the mailing address is the same as the primary address. If different, indicate the mailing address of your organization.

Question 9 - Organization’s primary activities

In 500 words, include the following information:

• the main activities of your organization
• any specific groups that use the same facility. For example:
  • seniors club
  • Royal Canadian Legion
  • FADOQ Club, etc.

  If applicable, identify the target group(s) that best aligns with your organization’s mandate or purpose. You can select more than 1.

  Organization contacts

  Question 10 to 13 – Primary contact information

  Complete the questions about the main contact person.

  Questions 14 to 17 – Secondary contact information

  Complete the questions about the secondary contact person.

  Questions 18 to 19 - Does your organization owe any amounts to the Government of Canada

  If ‘Yes’, complete the fields for each amount owing. We will not reject your application for this reason. However, you must provide detail as to the type of debt and the arrangements you have for repayment.

  Part 2 – Project proposal

  Project proposal identification

  Question 20 - Project title

  Give a short title that describes your project. Do not use “New Horizons for Seniors” or your organization’s name.

  Questions 21 and 22 - Planned project start and end date

  Indicate the planned start and end dates of your project.

  Note

  We expect to make funding decisions in February or March 2021. Projects can start as early as this, but no later than March 31, 2021. You must complete your project within 12 months from the start date.

  Question 23 – Amount requested from Employment and Social Development Canada

  Indicate the amount you are requesting for your proposed project. It cannot exceed $5,000.

  Project proposal description

  Question 24 – Project summary

  In 500 words or less:

  • identify the need for this project, and demonstrate how your project will address the needs of seniors
  • indicate the expected results of your project. Make sure they are realistic and clearly defined

  Project activities must align with 1 of the following goals, which is to fund activities that:

  • purchase of information technology (IT) equipment upgrades (such as computers, tablets)
  • provide capital support for current or new activities
  • promote volunteering to increase organization’s capacity

  Note

  • You can apply for funding to deliver new programs for seniors
  • You can apply for funding to continue delivering existing programs for seniors
  • Seniors must be actively involved in the project’s development or implementation in a meaningful way. Be sure to identify the role of seniors. It is not enough that an organization proposes to carry out an activity and then recruits seniors to take part in it. Consulting with seniors to develop a project of benefit to them is also not sufficient.

  Examples of eligible activities:

  • organize weekly online sessions for seniors to provide them with support or training and the opportunity to socialize while social distancing
  • organize financial literacy seminars to local seniors inviting financial experts to give tips on how to manage finances
  • provide sessions on how to manage online banking and on avoiding financial scams
  • design and develop a toolkit that would be distributed by volunteers from all age ranges within the community. For example, a tear away sheet with important phone numbers, list of local information hubs, guidelines to accessing various services, etc.
  • capital assistance for age-friendly exercise equipment that would make it easier for seniors to remain actively engaged
  • teach seniors the tools they need to connect with others online
  • have seniors set up meetings with other seniors, creating an online support network of seniors

  Examples of COVID-19 relief activities are those that:

  • provide web based seminars on financial health and management during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, such as how to do online banking or how to manage financial planning during and after the COVID-19 crisis
  • develop and deliver virtual information sessions to local businesses to raise awareness on ageism in the workplace and how to be inclusive when implementing COVID-19 employee safety measures
  • deliver virtual learning and information sessions that identify some of the risk factors that contribute to mental health issues and providing tips on how to address or prevent them
  • organize a virtual volunteer expo for organizations in need of volunteers, to support them to recruit during this period of increased demand for services due to COVID-19
  • recruit senior volunteers to virtually deliver “story time” to young children in the community or to provide academic help while social distancing

  Ineligible activities include, but are not limited to:

  • activities where the role of seniors is minimal or not clearly described
  • core operational activities (activities regularly or normally carried out by your organization)
  • projects seeking funding to renovate or maintain an establishment that is
    • not owned by the applicant and
    • does not provide direct seniors’ programming (for example theatres, health and care establishments such as health and foot clinics)
    • wheelchairs
    • scooters
    • cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CRP)
    • first aid equipment
    • automated blood pressure monitor
    • defibrillators
    • hearing aids
    • transportation services for appointments
    • home visit
    • service call
    • meal delivery service

    Project example 1

    There is a gap between seniors and youth in your community. You propose a project that focuses on bringing seniors and students together. Senior volunteers will share their life experiences and knowledge with students. Students share their life experiences with seniors. Your project activities include reading, tutoring and crafts. You request $5,000 for these activities.

    Project example 2

    Your organization has a broken dishwasher. An inspector said to replace it because it does not meet sanitation standards. Your current programs and activities for seniors are at risk until you install a new dishwasher. A new dishwasher will allow you to continue your social activities for seniors. You request $700 for these activities.

    Question 25 – Program objectives and priorities

    In 500 words or less, describe how your project meets:

    • at least 1 program objective
    • if you seek funding for capital assistance, your project must meet 2 program objectives
    • at least 1 national priority

    Note

    You can submit a proposal that is not specifically related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. However, you must explain the delivery your project in the context of the pandemic. This could include elements such as ensuring adequate social distancing, seniors’ well-being, or impacts of technology.

    Question 26 - Project activities and timelines

    This question is not required for the small grant (up to $5,000).

    Question 27 – Project location

    Indicate if project activities take place at the organization’s primary address. If at a different location, indicate the address for the other locations.

    Question 28 - English or French linguistic minority communities

    Indicate if the project will involve or benefit people in English or French linguistic minority communities. If so, explain in 250 words or less how it will do this.

    Question 29 – Project target groups

    Indicate if your project targets vulnerable groups. If so, indicate the target group(s). You can select more than 1.

    Part 3 – Budget

    Question 30 - Project costs

    List each activity. Then, indicate the associated cost with each of those activities. Costs must be reasonable and support project activities. The total in this question may be higher than the amount listed in question 23.

    Quote

    You must provide 1 quote for each repair and renovation activity.

    Note

    Salaries, wages and mandatory employment-related costs (MERCs) must not be more than 25% of the funding request from the program. If the amount you request exceeds this threshold, we will adjust the amount requested so it meets the 25% maximum.

    You can use the following calculation:

    • requested funding ($) x 25% (0.25) = maximum amount for staff wages

    For example: You request $5,000 from us. $5,000 x 0,25 = $1,250 is the maximum amount you can request from us for staff wages.

    Ineligible costs include, but are not limited to:

    • activities where the role of seniors is minimal or not clearly described
    • salaries for elderly caregiving services
    • core operational expenses of an organization, such as:
      • salary dollars unrelated to project activities
      • utilities
      • day-to-day maintenance of facilities including general operating costs of your organization that are not related to this project
      • transportation services for appointments
      • home visit
      • service call
      • meal delivery service, etc.
      • painting
      • landscaping for aesthetics purposes

      Question 31 - Funding sources

      List the name for each organization providing funding. Indicate the type of funding and value associated with it.

      The amount requested from us must match the amount in question 23. The total amount at the end of this question must match the total amount in question 30.

      Example of how to fill out the budget section:

      ABC Senior’s Club is submitting an application for a project to improve the social participation of immigrant seniors in Toronto. As part of the project, seniors involved with the organization will conduct:

      • Part-time program assistant (cost: $1,250)
      • provide transportation to various social outings (cost: $2,000)
      • access to their fitness facilities (cost: $1,750)
      
      

      Question 32 – Budget details

      Provide the following information:

      • provide a brief and clear justification of how you intend to use the money
      • demonstrate that the costs are reasonable and support the project activities

      Part 4 – Program specific questions and checklist

      Question 33 – Program objectives

      Choose 1 program objective that your proposed project supports. If your proposed project is requesting capital assistance, you must choose 2 program objectives.

      Question 34 – National priorities

      Choose a national priority that supports your proposed project.

      Question 35 – Community support

      This question is not required for the small grant (up to $5,000).

      Question 36 – Indicate the number of seniors and non-seniors who will take part in the planning and design of the proposed project activities.

      This question is not required for the small grant (up to $5,000).

      Question 37 – How many individuals will benefit from the proposed project activities once the project is complete?

      This question is not required for the small grant (up to $5,000).

      Program checklist

      Review the checklist carefully. Errors or incomplete applications will result in delayed processing or rejection. If we find your application is incomplete, we will provide you with notice by email. You will have 10 business days to submit the missing information. If your application is not complete by that time, we may reject it.

      Gather all the required documents for your application. Make sure you send us all of the documents.

      Section C – Part 5 – Attestation

      For your application to be eligible, an official representative must attest, or confirm, that he or she has:

      • the authority to submit the proposal
      • provided accurate information
      • read and understood the program’s requirements

      In order to do this, the official representative must:

      • check the three boxes of the attestation
      • provide their name, title and the date

      As this is an attestation, no signature is required.