This year, the FGM is implementing an important change in the Community Grants Program.  From now on, the distribution cycle of the program will take place during the first semester of each year.  As such the regular fall 2008 distribution cycle is postponed, only to take place during the first semester of 2009.

The guidelines of the Community Grants Program, presented below, remain unchanged.  Organizations looking to present a letter of intent can contact the FGM by e-mail (subventions@fgmtl.org) to obtain the model letter of intent in “Word” format.

Admissibility

Grants will be allocated for specific projects and for a fixed period of time.

A Grants Committee, made up of community representatives and professional consultants (all committee members sit as volunteers), will assess applications and make recommendations to the Board of Directors and, on occasion, to donors. The Board will follow the established parameters in awarding grants.

The grants distributed during the first semester of the year can only be applied to project costs and expenses incurred on or after July 1st of the same year.

Only one project will be considered for each organization applying for a grant.

Priorities

The FGM will consider projects from a variety of sectors and fields. However special attention will be given to projects that touch on the following sectors:

• Physical health and mental health;
• Education;
• Social services;
• Arts and culture; and
• The environment and sustainable development.

Projects will be evaluated and selected principally along the following criteria:

• The project applies a preventative approach and offers long-term solutions;
• The project strengthens the community, especially by encouraging the participation of groups and individuals of diverse ages and origins to counter isolation and foster a sense of belonging and inclusion;
• The project promotes the development of children, young people and families;
• The project promotes physical activity and healthy nutrition amongst children and youth;
• The project applies a multidisciplinary approach;
• The project creates effective partnerships when appropriate;
• The project requires a modest investment to achieve significant and enduring results.

Restrictions

The FGM will not consider grant applications for:

• fundraising activities and financing campaigns,
• operating budgets,
• deficit reduction,
• capital investment projects,
• activities of a religious or political nature,
• individuals,
• travel costs.

Application procedure and submission deadlines

The FGM has a two-step process. In step one, applicants write a letter of intent, which the Grants Committee reviews before making a preliminary selection. In step two, qualifying organizations will be asked to provide additional information concerning the project and to fill out a grant application form.

The letter of intent must be sent to the FGM by e-mail or regular mail no later than
February 2^nd 2009 at 4pm.

Organizations selected for the second step will be informed of the deadline to submit the complete proposal.

For more information or to obtain the model letter of intent in “Word” format, contact us.