Community Sector Organizations Call for Proposals July 2007 - Questions and Answers

Component 2: Sharing Innovation in the Community Non-Profit Sector

What is the Community Non-Profit Sector?

For the purposes of this Call for Proposals, “community non-profit sector” is defined as consisting of organizations that undertake social development activities in line with the objectives of the Social Development Partnerships Program.

What is Innovation in the Community Non-Profit Sector?

Innovation in the Community Non-Profit Sector is about improving the effectiveness and efficiency of goods and services provided by sector organizations. It is about finding creative ways to address social and economic problems faced by individuals and communities.

Why is Human Resources and Social Development Canada (HRSDC) funding Innovation in the Community Non-Profit Sector?

HRSDC is interested in improving the efficiency and effectiveness of programs and services delivered to Canadians. Since community non-profit sector organizations increasingly provide Canadians with services, it is important that these organizations are at their most productive in supporting the social and economic well-being of Canadians.

What types of projects will HRSDC fund?

HRSDC will fund projects that share proven innovations, which are relevant to the needs of a number of interested sector organizations, and demonstrate a measurable improvement in the efficiency and effectiveness of goods and services delivered to Canadians.

How long will the contribution agreement run?

Projects are expected to begin in late fall 2007 and must end on, or by, March 31, 2009 .

How much funding is available?

Projects may be short-term or multi-year with a limit of $200,000 per project.

Is the M-30 form relevant to our organization?

If your organization is located in Quebec , you may be subject to the Act respecting the Ministère du Conseil exécutif (R.S.Q., chapter M-30). Under this provincial law, Canada ’s New Government cannot enter into an agreement with an organization subject to the Act until approval is received from the Government of Quebec.

If your organization is subject to the Act, print the M-30 Supporting Documentation, complete and sign the form, and submit five hard copies (including the original signed one) with the rest of your proposal. There will be no electronic version.

If your proposal is recommended for ministerial approval, this approval will be contingent on HRSDC receiving authorization from the Government of Quebec to fund the project. You will be required to obtain this authorization.

Please see the M-30 Supporting Documentation for further details.

Who can apply?

To be eligible, an organization must be a non-profit organization and actively pursuing social development activities.

Eligible organizations include:

• Organizations in the non-profit sector carrying out social development activities
• Government-funded/publicly supported educational and research institutions (e.g., universities and colleges)
• Other organizations whose primary purpose is to provide services to their own members (e.g., labour unions and professional associations)
• Quasi-governmental agencies (e.g., Children’s Aid Societies)

Individuals are not eligible to receive project funding.

How do I apply for funding?

Interested applicants must submit a proposal through the Call for Proposals process, which is posted on HRSDC’s Web site.

How are Applicant Proposals selected?

Proposals undergo a two-step review. They are first assessed to determine whether they meet the deadline and mandatory requirements. Proposals that meet these requirements are then formally reviewed by departmental staff and external experts. Final approval of project proposals will be made by the Minister of Human Resources and Social Development. Departmental officials will contact organizations to notify them of the results.

Why can’t I click on the links in some of these documents?

Hyperlinks only work in HTML files that are on the Web site. The URL has been identified in the RTF and PDF files in most cases so that a user can copy it and paste it into to the address bar of their browser (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari) to open it. Be careful not to copy a period or other punctuation at the end of the URL or it will not work.

What is the closing date for this Call for Proposal?

The deadline for submissions is 4 p.m. (Eastern Daylight Time), on September 10, 2007 . Proposals received after this deadline will not be considered.

Can I E-mail or fax in my application?

No. E-mailed or faxed applications will not be accepted.

What if I have questions about the Call for Proposals or about completing my application?

Contact Sohail Manoussi by e-mail at sohail.manoussi@hrsdc-rhdsc.gc.ca or by telephone at (613) 941-0925.