Intro
The Cathedral Area Community Association (CACA) micro-grant is a bi-annual award of up to $2000 that is available to individuals and community groups based in the Cathedral Area to pursue short-term community projects that will benefit the Cathedral neighbourhood. (The Micro-Grant application form can be found below.)
Micro-grant applications are expected to align with one or more of the CACA’s goals of:
- maintaining the area’s vibrant “hometown” feel and rich sense of community;
- enhancing the history, culture and character of the community;
- modeling environmental sustainability;
- preserving and enhancing the appearance and livability of the community; and,
- providing assistance to those living in the community.
Purpose
CACA supports projects that improve quality of life for Cathedral residents and the vitality of the Cathedral Area. The micro-grant program aims to stimulate grassroots involvement and contributions to the Cathedral community from individuals and groups who may have limited access to other funding sources.
Impact
Applicant will be asked to describe how the proposed project is relevant and beneficial to the Cathedral community, who it will benefit, and how.
Available Grant
- Annual funding levels will be established and approved in the CACA’s yearly budget at beginning of fiscal year.
- Each grant shall be worth up to a maximum of $2000.
Examples of Projects
- Legacy projects (may have additional funding partners)
- Workshops for Cathedral residents (ex. Bicycle safety)
- Community events
- Acts of kindness/good neighbour/community service initiatives (ex. Shoveling for seniors)
- Art projects/neighbourhood beautification (ex. Art on Cathedral Neighbourhood Centre)
Eligibility
- Applicant(s) members must live or own a business in the Cathedral neighbourhood. Groups must be based in the Cathedral Area.
- The proposed project, event or activity must take place in the Cathedral Area and/or engage Cathedral residents.
- Project must align with goals of CACA.
- Priority is given to applicants who live in, own a business in, or groups that are based in the Cathedral neighbourhood. Consideration may be given to non-Cathedral applicants who demonstrate a clear benefit to the neighbourhood.
Types of Projects Not Eligible
The following proposals are not eligible for micro-grant funding:
- projects affiliated with political parties;
- projects sponsored by a for-profit organization;
- general contributions to capital campaigns;
- operating deficits or retirement of debt;
- endowment programs;
- for-profit proposals are ineligible for funding;
- retroactive funding of projects already completed; and
- ongoing projects and programming are not eligible for funding.
Priority
Priority will be given to the following applicants and types of projects:
- Legacy projects that have a lasting effect (ex. Cedar planters along 13th Ave.);
- Projects that encourage collaboration among community members and organizations;
- New applicants that have never received micro-grant funding;
- Applicants with limited access to other public or private funding sources.
- Youth projects (under 18 years), with a goal of 50% of annual micro-grant funds earmarked for youth applicants. If there are no suitable youth projects, earmarked funds may be awarded to other applicants.
Use of Funds
Micro-grant funds may be used for costs such as printing, postage, supplies, public art installations and small equipment purchase; funds may not be used for salaries, construction, large equipment and paying off debt.
Micro-grant Cycle
The micro-grant cycle will be approximately 3 months from announcement to notifying and awarding recipients. The project should be completed within no longer than 6 months of receipt of micro-grant. Recipients must report on project within 4 weeks of completion.
For Spring Summer Projects — Application Deadline February 1
- Announce Micro-grant: January 1
- Application Deadline: February 1
- Review & Select Recipients: February 28
- Notify & Award Micro-grant: March 15
For Fall / Winter Projects —
Application Deadline June 1
- Announce Micro-grant: May 1
- Application Deadline: June 1
- Review & Select Recipients: June 30
- Notify & Award Micro-grant: July 15
Application Procedure
Applicants shall complete and submit a micro-grant proposal by the application deadline. Applications are to be emailed to caca@sasktel.net or dropped off at the Cathedral Neighbourhood Centre. Applications shall include a clear description of the project, its goals, how it aligns with the CACA’s goals, a plan of action with timelines and a fully detailed budget. Applicants may be asked to provide additional information regarding their project after submitting their proposal.
Download the Application Form
Download a copy of the CACA Micro-Grant application form here.
Proposal Assessment and Evaluation
All submissions will be referred to the CACA’s micro-grant jury, which will comprise of a minimum of three members from the CACA board of directors, one CACA staff, and one Cathedral Area community member. The jury will make recommendations for the CACA board consideration. Jury members will exclude themselves from scoring applications when a real or perceived a conflict of interest arises.
Micro-grant jury members will use the CACA Micro-grant Evaluation Chart to assess eligible applications.
Project Monitoring and Reporting
Successful applicants will agree to the following terms of acceptance:
- The CACA may contact successful applicants regarding their project any time they wish to see how it is progressing and how money is being spent.
- Micro-grant recipients are asked to take photographs throughout the project and will allow the CACA to use them for promotional materials. Recipients shall acknowledge the CACA as the funding source on any written materials developed for the project, including through social media platforms and word of mouth.
- Successful applicants shall provide the CACA with a brief report of how the project went, including photos, within four weeks of completion. The report shall include a summary of how the project went, whether it attained its stated objectives, how it engaged the Cathedral community, a summary of how micro-grant money was spent, and information about any challenges the project faced.