The Community Initiatives Fund (CIF) is seeking applications for its Community Grant Program to support the delivery of projects and programs that are aligned with the Funding Themes and Priorities.

The Community Initiatives Fund (CIF) makes knowledgeable and effective investments in community-based initiatives throughout Saskatchewan that strengthen the capacity of communities.

The Community Initiatives Fund is a special purpose fund created by the Government of Saskatchewan through The Saskatchewan Gaming Corporation Act. CIF receives a portion of the net revenues from casinos Regina and Moose Jaw via the Saskatchewan Gaming Corporation and distributes those proceeds to support community-based projects throughout Saskatchewan.

Funding Themes & Priorities

The Community Grant Program provides grants to support programs and projects that fall within one of these three funding themes:

• Healthy growth and development of children and youth – The CIF provides grants to programs that support the development of children and youth, providing young children with a good start in life and preparing youth for the future. Community programs and services intended to benefit young people who face financial, accessibility or other barriers will receive higher priority.
• Individual and Community Wellbeing – The CIF provides grants to programs for all ages that support healthy lifestyles, supportive and inclusive communities, and provide access to programs and services.
• Nonprofit and Community Leadership – The CIF provides grants to support initiatives that provide training and resources for nonprofit staff, Board members and volunteers to improve program delivery, governance and leadership, and the involvement of volunteers.

CIF expects that all programs funded through the Community Grant Program will be:

• Inclusive of all ages, ability, gender, income and cultural backgrounds;
• Accessible, safe, and age and ability appropriate;
• Affordable;
• Prevention based with a focus on long term outcomes;
• Community based.

Funding Information

• Summer Grants - maximum of $5,000.

Eligibility Criteria

• To be eligible to apply to the community initiatives fund, an applicant must be:
  • An incorporated Saskatchewan nonprofit organization whose primary purpose and activities are to benefit Saskatchewan communities; or
  • A municipality, health region, school or school board proposing community-based, community-led projects; and
  • In good standing with the CIF (e.g., there are no outstanding reports or re-payments).
• Community-based / community-led projects are projects that involve community members or organizations in the planning and delivery of the project, and that are not offered as a core service of the institution.
• As The Saskatchewan Gaming Corporation Act directs a portion of profits to the First Nations Trust to support people living on-reserve, programs that primarily benefit people living on-reserve are not eligible for CIF funding regardless of where the programs takes place. Programs on-reserve may be eligible if the applicant meets eligibility criteria and if the project primarily benefits First Nations people living off-reserve.
• Music festivals, competitions and tournaments, centennials and homecomings, and other events are not eligible. Some events, such as those that promote and support ethno-cultural awareness and education, multiculturalism, or First Nations and Métis cultural identity, may be eligible if they are aligned with the Funding Themes and Priorities and are free to the general public to attend.

For more information, visit The Foundation.