FUNDING FRAMEWORK & GUIDELINES November 2014 1
OVERVIEW As funding requests grow each year 1, the staff and volunteers at United Way Greater Victoria (UWGV) are challenged with making balanced and impactful decisions that meet community needs and ensure donor dollars are invested effectively. In 2011 UWGV adopted a new Community Investment Framework (CIF). This framework guides decisions on the allocation of our financial and human resources in order to build a strong and caring community. Our three priority areas addressed through the CIF continue to be: All that kids can be From poverty to possibility Strong communities In 2014 UWGV developed a longer term strategic framework to guide our community investments across multi-year funding cycles 2. We invest in organizations and services that assist people to become more self-reliant. This means focusing not only on meeting a person s immediate needs, but using this engagement to build longer term strategies to address chronic issues, and ultimately achieve long-term sustainable change. This approach requires that we: 1. Build the capacity of individuals, families, their community and the organizations that support them; 2. Build on the strengths of individuals and families and decrease the risks they face; and, 3. Increase positive and healthy connections between people and their community. Community Engagement Every few years UWGV goes out to the community to engage in a process of discussion and issue identification. In 2010 the community confirmed that our three priority areas of kids, poverty and community were the core issues in our region. Since 2011, with the help of the community, research and national data, we have further refined our priority areas and developed nine long-term outcome areas 3. In April 2014 UWGV wanted to gain insight into the funding environment that supports our local social service sector. We invited 109 non-profit organizations operating within the Capital Regional District, including all of our funded partners and a selection of non-funded organizations, to participate in a brief survey exploring the state of funding in the non-profit sector. We also invited these same organizations, as well as other selected stakeholders, to join us in a community consultation session where we further refined our nine long-term outcome areas. This helped us all gain insight into our approach for investing in the community in 2015 4. Table of Contents OVERVIEW... 2 1 A full report on the Community Impact Directory (2014) is published on our website at http://uwgv.ca/reports/ 2 The Community Impact Plan 2014-2016 is published on our website at http://uwgv.ca/reports/ 3 See Appendix 1 for further information on UWGV outcomes 4 Results of the community survey are published in The View from the Field 2014 report available on our website at http://uwgv.ca/reports/ 2
FUNDING FRAMEWORK... 4 Chart #1 Fund Listing by Maximum $ Amount and Funding Term... 4 Funding Eligibility... 5 Funding Alignment... 5 FUNDING CATEGORIES... 6 1. Program or Project Based... 6 1.1 Established programs:... 6 1.2 Pilot projects or new initiatives:... 6 2. Organizational and Program Effectives... 6 2.1 Capacity building:... 6 2.2 Core administration costs:... 7 2.3 Program research and evaluation:... 7 2.4 Program accessibility:... 7 3. Collective Impact and Innovation... 7 3.1 Collaboration initiatives:... 7 3.2 System and policy initiatives:... 8 4. Community/Neighbourhood Initiatives... 8 5. Youth Grants... 8 FUNDING PROCESS... 9 Funding Reviews and Approvals... 9 Funding Timeframes... 9 Funding Agreements... 9 APPENDICES... 10 Appendix 1 Impact Areas... 11 Impact Area #1: All That Kids Can Be... 11 Impact Area #2 From Poverty to Possibility... 12 Impact Area #3 Strong Communities... 13 Appendix 2 Vulnerable Population Description... 14 3
FUNDING FRAMEWORK This Funding Framework outlines the parameters and the process for United Way s investments into the community. All investments will be made in accordance with the values, principles, research and goals of our Community Investment Framework. The United Way of Greater Victoria is committed to meeting the needs of the Capital Region District and understands that needs in the region will change and evolve over time. We will monitor community needs and priorities on an ongoing basis and changes in funding may be necessary to respond to unexpected or emergent situations. All funding commitments, regardless of timeframes will be subject to the review of: A community organization s performance and compliance with our funding agreement; The success of our community campaign; and The need for the United Way to respond to an emergency situation. Funding commitments will be made for specific limited periods of time a one, two or three year period. Chart #1 Fund Listing by Maximum $ Amount and Funding Term United Way allocates community investments within 5 targeted funds: Fund Maximum Amount Maximum Funding Term 1.Program or Project Based 1.1 Established programs $250,000 3 Years 1.2 Pilot projects or new initiatives $100,000 2 Years 2. Organizational/Program Effectiveness 2.1 Capacity building $25,000 1 Year 2.2 Core administration $25,000 2 Years 2.3 Program research/evaluation $50,000 2 Years 2.4 Program accessibility $25,000 1 year 3. Collective Impact and Innovation 3.1 Collaborative Initiatives $100,000 2 Years 3.2 System and policy initiatives 4. Community/Neighbourhood Initiatives 4.1 Citizen lead projects $10,000 2 Years 5. Youth Grants 5.1 Youth led projects $10,000 2 Year These are maximum amounts and maximum terms. Decisions about actual funding amounts and specific terms for specific programs or projects will be made by the United Way. Total funding to any organization cannot exceed 30% of its total revenue to a maximum of $300,000 per year across all funding categories. Total funding to any organization cannot exceed 30% of its total revenue to a maximum of $300,000 per year across all funding categories. Requests to exceed 30% can be recommended to the Board from the Impact Council under special circumstances. 4
Funding Eligibility To be eligible to receive funding an organization must: Be based and providing service within Greater Victoria (Capital Regional District); Operate as a federally registered charitable organization; Have a mission, purpose, programs or activities that align with the UWGV Focus areas; Agree to work with United Way of Greater Victoria to provide program outcome data see Appendix 1 for a complete list of UWGV outcomes; and, Demonstrate a willingness to support the United Way of Greater Victoria fundraising efforts. Funding Alignment Requests for funding must be aligned with one of UWGV s focus areas and it must be clear how the program or project contributes to the specific outcomes of the relevant focus area(s). Based on community input and research on effective practices, priority will be given to programs and services that can demonstrate: Program effectiveness with outcome data and/or research informed service delivery models; How they are targeting vulnerable populations using United Way s or another acceptable definition of vulnerability (see Appendix 2); How they have customized their program to serve this population and how they are ensuring they reach the most hard to serve within these populations; How they are using a capacity building approach and are delivering services in a culturally safe manner; and, How the program is meeting a unique need that is not being met elsewhere or are able to show that existing services are not adequate to meet the need. Further funding consideration will be given to the following areas: 1. Addressing complex needs - programs that are using research and evaluation to support clients with complex needs and multiple barriers; 2. Coordinated service delivery - programs that are working with others to ensure there is coordination across services; 3. System navigation - programs that support clients to access multiple services and to access existing supports. 4. Collective approaches initiatives that have multiple partners and are working to address identified community issues; 5. Barrier removal programs that have identified barriers for hard to serve clients and are working to remove these barriers; and, 6. Neighbourhood programs programs that are located in or close to communities where the clients reside. 5
FUNDING CATEGORIES 1. Program or Project Based 1.1 Established programs: Funding for direct expenses for established programs that are demonstrating positive and consistent client outcomes in one focus area. Funding requests can be inclusive of a maximum of 18% administration/overhead for example a $50,000 program request can request a maximum of an additional $9,000 in administration for a total request of $59,000. The maximum amount of funding per organization for established programs is $250,000 per year inclusive of administration/overhead for all requests in this category. Programs in this category are eligible for a one, two or three year funding term. Ongoing funding during the approved term is dependent upon the organization achieving program outcomes and meeting all reporting requirements. Organizations are eligible to re-apply for the same program once their funding agreement has ended. 1.2 Pilot projects or new initiatives: Funding for direct expenses for innovative responses to a social issue consistent with one of the focus areas; the implementation of research or evidence based practices or the enhancement of an established program. Funding requests can be inclusive of a maximum of 18% administrative/overhead. The maximum amount of funding per organization for pilot programs or new initiatives is $100,000 per year inclusive of administration/overhead for all requests in this category. Programs in this category are eligible for a one or a two year funding term. Organizations are eligible to apply under Established Programs funding following a successful pilot period and the demonstration of program outcomes and reporting compliance. 2. Organizational and Program Effectives 2.1 Capacity building: One time financial contributions to enhance an organization s or the sector s functioning and ability to contribute to the achievement of positive community outcomes consistent with United Way s focus areas. Specific projects or requests may include: - Board development. - Staff development/training. - IT expansion or enhancement. - Volunteer management. - Restructuring or enhancement of audit or financial review processes. - Organizational or inter-organizational restructuring. 6
- Outcome measurement training and development. The maximum amount of funding per organization for organizational capacity building is $25,000 for all requests in this category. Capacity building projects are not eligible for additional administration or overhead. Programs in this category are eligible for a one year funding term. 2.2 Core administration costs: Funding to support an organization s shared administrative functions for agencies that provide services consistent with one of the focus areas. Specific expenses may include administration salaries and benefits, facility expenses and office expenses. The maximum amount of funding for core administration is $25,000 per year, per organization. Given the nature of these funding requests, that is to cover core administration, no additional administration/overhead will be considered as part of the grant. Eligibility for core administration funding is limited to organizations with revenues of $1,000,000 or less per year. Organizations are eligible for a maximum of two years of core administration funding during which time they need to transition to program based funding or independence from United Way funding. 2.3 Program research and evaluation: Funding to support research projects related to the UWGV focus areas; the investigation of evidence based practices. Funding to review current program designs and work to enhance program design based on research; funding to support the incorporation of evidence based practices into programs designs. Funding to support the evaluation of current programs in order to enhance program effectiveness, demonstrate impact, identify and document promising practices. 2.4 Program accessibility: Funding to support partnerships between sectors, organizations serving diverse populations with the intention to increase accessibility for vulnerable populations. Cultural competency training. Development of strategies to better serve hard to serve populations. 3. Collective Impact and Innovation 3.1 Collaboration initiatives: Funding for the emergence of new collaborations or partnerships and the resourcing of existing collaborations or partnerships that increase efficiencies and effectiveness in addressing issues central to one or more of the United Way s focus areas. Funding for research collaborations that are looking at analysis of community needs; the development of innovative approaches; engagement at post secondary or research/planning institutes. Specific initiatives that will be considered include: 7
- Community engagement, in particular with vulnerable populations and diverse perspectives. - Cross sector work to create new models, policies or practices that advance work in the broader community. - Collective impact initiatives. The maximum amount of funding per initiative is $100,000 per year inclusive of administration/ overhead for all requests in this category by one collaborative. Programs in this category are eligible for a maximum of two year funding term. Funding beyond the two year term is dependent on a comprehensive evaluation of the collaboration/partnership in achieving outcomes consistent with the UWGV s outcome framework. 3.2 System and policy initiatives: Funding for work that looks at developing responses to specific policies (existing, or emerging); influencing systems; system coordination and accessibility; engaging policy makers in discussions with the wider community. The maximum amount of funding per project is $100,000 per year inclusive of administration/overhead for all requests in this category by one organization. Programs in this category are eligible for a maximum of two year funding term. Organizations are eligible to re-apply for additional funding terms. Funding for additional terms is dependent on a comprehensive report that demonstrates achievements and clearly outlines next steps. 4. Community/Neighbourhood Initiatives Funding for citizen driven projects (can be in partnership with an organization but volunteer led); projects that open up new opportunities for people such as new skills; experiences of working together; on-going ways of staying involved in the neighbourhood or community; projects that give the chance for new leadership emergence. The maximum amount funding per project is $10,000. Community/Neighbourhood Initiatives are not eligible for administration or overhead costs. Projects in this category are eligible for a two year funding term. 5. Youth Grants Funding for direct expenses for innovative projects developed by youth for youth that are in alignment with one of the focus areas. Youth is defined as 11 to 25 years of age. Projects must be time-limited and must define specific outcomes. The maximum amount of funding per project is $10,000. Youth Initiatives are not eligible for administration or overhead costs. Projects in this category are eligible for a two year funding term. 8
FUNDING PROCESS Funding Reviews and Approvals All proposals will be screened by United Way staff for compliance with the funding guidelines. Eligible proposals will be then be reviewed in detail by staff along with support from volunteer panels within each focus area. Neighbourhood grants and youth grants will be reviewed by separate panels. The youth grants will be reviewed by staff and members of United Way s Youth Council and the neighbourhood grants will be reviewed by staff and a panel of community volunteers. All recommendations will be forwarded to the Impact Council for final review and approval. Funding Timeframes A call for funding proposals will be held four to six months in advance of the beginning of the UWGV s fiscal year. Recommendations will be brought to the Impact Council approximately 1 month prior to the new fiscal year. Funding will commence at the beginning of the UWGV s fiscal year. Funding Agreements Organizations will be required to sign and comply with the United Way of Greater Victoria Funding Agreement. The agreement outlines the responsibilities of the United Way of Greater Victoria and the responsibilities of the funded community partner. Updates, site visits and outcome reports will be required of each organization and continued funding will be assessed based on the content of the reports. All funding agreements are subject to amendment at the sole discretion of the UWGV. 9
APPENDICES 10
Appendix 1 Impact Areas Impact Area #1: All That Kids Can Be - Interventions are designed to help children and youth reach their full potential, which means addressing the full spectrum of developmental assets, including education and cognitive development as well as social, emotional, and physical development. Long-Term Description Investment Strategies Short & Medium Term Outcomes Outcome/Goal Engagement in Learning Connectedness & Community Involvement Emotional & Physical Wellbeing Focuses not only on school success and mastery of skills, but on developing commitment, motivation, involvement and pleasure in learning experiences. This commitment to learning helps steer youth through a successful transition to adult hood, which may include post secondary training or meaningful employment. Includes positive social interactions and relationships with adults and peers at home, in school, and in the neighbourhood, and meaningful participation in and contribution to community. A sense of connectedness within social relationships and to the broader community is a fundamental human need and has a critical influence on academic success and the emotional and social development of young people. Refers to increasing the health and resilience of children and youth. This refers to the development of emotional health and maturity, a positive sense of identity, coping, and healthy choices that promote physical health and wellness. Ages 0-6 Supporting programs/initiatives that provide exposure to social interaction and opportunities for learning for preschool children. Supporting programs/initiatives that build parenting capacity and link parents to information, resources and supports. Ages 7-12 Supporting programs/initiatives that focus on after-school homework completion, tutoring & skill assessment. Ages 13+ Supporting programs/initiatives focused on social skills, employment readiness, and leadership skills for the transition to work. Ages 7-12 Supporting recreational programs/initiatives focused on building strong peer relationships. Supporting mentoring programs/initiatives focused on building strong relationships with positive adult role models. Supporting programs/initiatives that provide opportunities for children to connect with their communities. Ages 13+ Supporting mentoring and leadership development programs/initiatives. Supporting programs/initiatives that provide opportunities for youth to connect with their communities. All children & youth Supporting individual and family counselling programs/initiatives focused on coping skills and building selfesteem. Ages 0-6 Supporting parenting and parent support programs/initiatives. Ages 7-12 Supporting mentoring and parent support programs/initiatives. Ages 13+ Supporting leadership development & mentoring programs/initiatives. Parents are equipped to support their children to learn Children and/or youth are ready to learn Children and/or youth do well in school Youth make a healthy transition into adulthood (to post-secondary education, training, or employment). Children and/or youth care about and get along with others Children and/or youth get involved (e.g. constructive use of time, meaningful participation in activities, sense of belonging. Children and/or youth take responsibility and lead Parents effectively support the positive development of their children Children and/or youth believe in themselves (e.g. positive identify, self-esteem, sense of purpose, optimism, psychological well-being). Children and/or youth can better handle life s challenges Children and/or youth make healthy choices 11
Impact Area #2 From Poverty to Possibility - Interventions are designed to help people experiencing poverty develop plans and prepare for a better future to move from poverty to possibility. Long-Term Outcome/Goal Housing Stability Food Security Employment & Financial Security Description Investment Strategies Short & Medium Term Outcomes People are able to find, afford, and maintain good quality housing. Precarious housing defines the various issues individuals and families living in poverty face, including inadequate housing quality, lack of affordable housing, homelessness, and under-housing. People have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active healthy life. A family is defined as being food insecure when they are uncertain of having, or unable to acquire, enough food to meet the needs of all their family members. People have the ability to access and maintain employment that provides financial sustainability. Although an individual cannot move themselves out of poverty without external supports and financial assets such as income and income supports, the development of human assets such as employment skills, education and training, and literacy is an important component of a comprehensive strategy to address poverty. Supporting programs/initiatives that: provide emergency shelters and transitional housing; provide rapid transition from emergency shelter to safe, stable housing; and offer support for low-income individuals and/or families to find safe and stable housing and build capacity to participate in market housing. Supporting programs/initiatives offering supportive services coupled with housing for people with mental illness & co-occurring substance abuse. Supporting programs/initiatives that build local community capacity to facilitate shared food production, access and use. Supporting programs/initiatives that build knowledge and skills regarding food literacy, nutrition, preparation and use. Supporting programs/initiatives that build knowledge and skills for coping with, and managing, food insecurity. Supporting programs/initiatives that develop affordable options for adequate access to nutritious foods. Supporting program/initiatives that provide literacy, pre-employment, employment, and on-the job skills training/development programs. Supporting programs/initiatives that provide counselling and supports that help individuals and families manage stress due to poverty or unemployment. Supporting program/initiatives that offer training in financial literacy and financial management. Supporting local community economic develop programs/initiatives that build economic stability. Individuals and/or families have access to emergency shelter. Individuals and/or families access safe, affordable housing. Individuals and/or families have the resources and supports to maintain safe and stable housing. Individuals and/or families access affordable, nutritious and appropriate food. Individuals and/or families experience decreased stress and life disruptions due to food insecurity. Individuals have meaningful employment (e.g. connections to available jobs, access to adequate employment opportunities, appropriate training, literacy, job readiness skills). Individuals and/or families are financially stable (e.g. adequate income, access to entitlements, benefits and other income supports). Individuals and/or families have manageable expenses (e.g. increased financial literacy, increased financial management). 12
Impact Area #3 Strong Communities - Interventions are designed to support individuals and families to build the assets they need to handle life s challenges and to achieve their personal goals. These include both individual assets, like self esteem, life skills or coping strategies, as well as assets within communities, such as social connections or opportunities to get involved in community organizations that help to create strong neighbourhoods and communities, where community members can experience personal safety and wellbeing. Long Term Outcome/Goal Connection to Supports Neighbourhood and Community Engagement Description Investment Strategies Short Term & Medium Term Outcomes People gain access to the services that they would not be able to on their own. Involves forming strong social connections to neighbours, friends or other community members. Achieving this outcome may involve working with vulnerable people individually to help them navigate systems or building social connections. It may also involve working to change systems and remove obstacles to access by promoting integration across service providers. Meaningful participation of citizens in their communities. This does not require that citizens be directly involved in civic decision-making processes, but that they are an active part of doing and being in the community. Community engagement helps individuals and families to build social assets. Engaging service providers to improve navigation of community services for residents and working towards increased coordination of community services. Supporting programs and initiatives that provide opportunities for people to form social connections. Working with others to ensure there is a network of accessible and effective services. Supporting programs/initiatives that promote volunteerism and community engagement. Supporting opportunities for residents to be engaged in neighbourhood planning and action. Individuals and/or families are connected to and able to access services and supports that they need. Community services work together to help individuals and families better navigate support systems. Individuals and/or families create and maintain supportive relationships and connections that enable them to offer and receive informal support. Individuals and/or families feel a sense of belonging and inclusion in their community. Individuals and/or families get involved in their communities by volunteering or participating in community activities. Individuals and/or families act to positively influence their community by coming together to address community issues. Personal Wellbeing & Safety The capacity of an individual to make healthy choices and handle life s challenges. Although people often become vulnerable for reasons beyond their control, a person with strong personal assets (e.g. self-esteem, confidence and goals) and human assets (e.g. skills and knowledge) is better positioned to react to the challenges that will inevitably arise in the course of living with issues like poverty, disability, discrimination, addictions or mental illness. Supporting programs that provide counselling for individuals and families dealing with addictions, mental health issues, or violencerelated trauma. Focus counselling on building human and personal assets. Supporting programs/initiatives that build skills for independent living for individuals experiencing barriers to community inclusion and participation. Engaging community members through awareness-raising and outreach campaigns on health promotion and risk reduction. Individuals and/or families are able to live independently and make healthy choices that reduce risk or harm and prevent crisis. Individuals and/or families have positive mental health (i.e., improved self-esteem, confidence, sense of purpose or life satisfaction) and are better able to handle life s challenges (through improved coping or problem solving skills, improved management of emotions). Neighbourhoods are safer for individuals and families, especially victims of violence and abuse. 13
Appendix 2 Vulnerable Population Description United Way believes that all people have the right to live in a strong and caring community, and that everyone can at different times in their lives be at risk of one or a number of challenges. However we must focus our limited resources for the greatest impact. To this end we focus on those people most vulnerable to living in a state of economic, cultural, social and political poverty. Those groups most at risk of the various forms of poverty and resulting social exclusion are - families, children and youth, seniors, Aboriginal peoples, persons with disabilities, and immigrants. However, as already noted, being from this group does not necessarily make one most vulnerable or at risk - it is a combination of factors that increases this vulnerability 5. The various factors for each group might include: Vulnerable families are families that experience chronic low-income and few social supports, teen parenting or lone parenting with low income, high household mobility, homelessness, parents with low personal capacity, family dysfunction, or have experienced or witnessed abuse. Vulnerable children & youth are children and youth who live alone or are homeless, live in families experiencing chronic low-income, live in dysfunctional families, experience or witness abuse or trauma, lack interpersonal and social skills, have cognitive deficits or emotional or mental health issues, are not engaged in or succeeding at school, or experience low sense of belonging in school or community. Vulnerable seniors - are 65 or older, live alone (key risk factor for social isolation, along with 75+), have low income, are single or bereaved, are in poor health, experience language/cultural barriers, and/or have transportation difficulties. Vulnerable Aboriginal peoples are individuals and communities that have been affected by the multigenerational impacts of colonialism, especially the effects of residential schools. These effects may include systemic racism and discrimination, resulting in chronic low income, high mobility, loss of culture, and other negative social indicators. Aboriginal peoples include First Nations (status, non-status and Bill C-31 individuals), Métis, and Inuit people. 5 Source for some of the definitions of vulnerability is FCSS Calgary, Outline of Proposed areas for FCSS Investments in Programming and List of Relevant Definitions. 2010 14
Vulnerable people with disabilities are individuals that have physical, cognitive or other challenges that can hamper or reduce a person's ability to carry out day to day activities, have low income, are single, are in poor health, have addiction issues, have mental health issues, and/or experience transportation difficulties. Vulnerable immigrants are recent immigrants to Canada (generally defined as those who arrived in the last five years), are refugees, face language barriers, have low income, are unable to obtain employment commensurate with their credentials, are stay-at-home parents or seniors, and/or belong to ethno-cultural communities with few members in the Capital Region. Vulnerable LGBTQ lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning individuals 6 who are facing harassment, bullying, prejudice and discrimination among other barriers affecting their wellbeing and equality. 6 Reference: Russell, S., Kosciw, J., Horn, S., & Saewyc, E. (2010). Safe Schools Policy for LGBTQ Students. Social Policy Report, 24(4), 3-5. Retrieved October 29, 2014, from http://srcd.org/sites/default/files/documents/spr_24_4_final.pdf 15