Niagara Investment in Culture (NIC) 2016-2017 Program Information/Application Section 1: Program Objectives Niagara Region created the Niagara Investment in Culture (NIC) Program with the following objectives: Build capacity in Niagara s culture sector Increase access to culture for residents and visitors in all parts of Niagara Promote cultural partnerships between public, private and governmental sectors Provide support to Niagara culture groups and participants Celebrate Niagara s history, people, and identity The aim is to support interesting, innovative, and high quality cultural programming that is: Niagara-based (i.e., created by, experienced in and celebrates the arts and heritage of Niagara) Inclusive (i.e., accessible, open to the public) Collaborative (i.e., features shared costs and enhanced partnerships) Accountable (i.e., has measurable impact, considers sustainability) Section 2: Program Categories There are two primary applicant streams for NIC funded projects: 1. Municipally-Led Projects Any local municipality within Niagara Region, Ontario may apply for funding for a cultural project or event that generally meets NIC program objectives and NIC eligibility criteria. 2. Cultural Organization-Led Projects Any non-profit cultural organization based in Niagara Region, Ontario may apply for funding for a cultural project or event that generally meets NIC program objectives and NIC eligibility criteria. Please note: Arms-length cultural organizations (e.g., organizations which receive some regular municipal operating funding but answer to a board / are similarly separate from the municipality), such as museums, libraries, etc., may submit under the cultural organization led project category. Section 3: Key Dates Applications Available: September 2016 Application Deadline: October 24, 2016 @ 4:30pm Final Reports Due: 1. Within one month of the project completion; OR 2. December 31, 2017, whichever is earlier. Announcement of Successful Applicants: April 2017 (subject to Council approval) Interim Reports Due: 1. July 31, 2017; OR 2. Six (6) weeks prior to the start date of the project, whichever is earlier. NIC Application 1
Section 4: Eligibility Criteria To be eligible for funding under either category, the project application must meet the following criteria: Projects must be organized and hosted within the Niagara Region, ON The majority of people hired as a part of the project must reside in Niagara Region, ON Municipalities and organizations can only be project lead on one NIC project per funding year, but may partner or work with other organizations or municipalities on other NIC projects Project events/activities must be open to the public and publicized Project should be new, or if it is an ongoing project, it should demonstrate significant innovation and/or strong success along with community desire Project should have clear, significant and measurable indicators and evaluation data Project should have a clear and reasonable budget Project should have letters of agreement from key partners specifying their support and role(s) Project must be completed by December 31st of the NIC funding year Cultural organization applicants must be governed by an accountable board, steering committee or the equivalent Applicants must be in verifiable fiscal health NIC funding requests may be for up to 75% of the total cash budget for any project For municipally-led projects, applicant municipalities will be expected to contribute a minimum of 25% of the total NIC funds requested Section 5: Evaluation Process Each application will be reviewed by Niagara Region staff to determine if it meets the eligibility criteria listed above. A panel composed of qualified members of the cultural community, a member of the Niagara Region Culture Committee, up to two Regional Councillors and Niagara Region staff (non-voting) will review and rank the proposals based on evaluation criteria for the program. Based on the rankings, available monies for the NIC program will be tentatively allotted for the funding year by the panel. The list of successful applications will be endorsed by the Niagara Region Culture Committee and approved by the Planning and Development Services Committee and by Council as an information report, followed by a public announcement of the projects. The NIC program reserves the right to determine award amounts which may or may not reflect applicant requests, and the right not to designate awards in any given instance, category or year. There will be no appeals. Available program monies will be subject to Council funding of the program. Section 6: Evaluation Criteria Key evaluation criteria for NIC submissions are: Overall quality of the project Uniqueness and innovation of the project Number, nature, and diversity of partnerships (particularly new collaborations) Number of people in Niagara who will benefit from the project Ways/degrees to which the project supports the goals of the Niagara Culture Plan Potential of the project to have a strong legacy component Potential of the project to build cultural capacity in Niagara Amount of non-governmental funding committed toward the project NIC Application 2
Section 7: Funding Prohibitions NIC program funding may NOT be used for: Direct grants, bursaries, or awards to individuals or organizations Retroactively for any project expenses incurred prior to the NIC application date Operating funding for any organization or program Capital infrastructure or software purchase (small scale equipment rental or purchase may be considered on a case-by-case basis) Fireworks Alcohol Projects promoting specific religious beliefs or any discriminatory activities Stand-alone commercial, fundraising or for-profit activities Debt repayment Section 8: Application Submission All applications and supporting documentation must be submitted by 4:30pm on October 24, 2016. Applications may be submitted electronically to bonnie.dewar@niagararegion.ca or by mail/in person at: Niagara Investment in Culture Program ATTN: Bonnie Dewar Niagara Region 1815 Sir Isaac Brock Road PO Box 1042 Thorold, ON L2V 4T7 Section 9: Contact Information Marian Bannerman Program Manager, Grants and Incentives Niagara Region 905-980-6000 X. 3357 Toll Free: 1-800-263-7215 marian.bannerman@niagararegion.ca Terri Donia Senior Planner Niagara Region 905-980-6000 X. 3374 Toll Free: 1-800-263-7215 terri.donia@niagararegion.ca NIC Application 3
Niagara Investment in Culture (NIC) 2016-2017 Application Form Please print and observe maximum word counts where indicated. Section A: Applicant and Background Information Preliminary Project Information Application Category: Cultural Organization Municipality Name of organization: Project title: Project summary (25 words maximum): Contact Information Primary contact name: Email: Contact title/position: Telephone: Street address: Mailing address: Organizational Information Website: Facebook: Twitter: Incorporation status of the organization: Charitable registration number (if applicable): Year of Incorporation (if unincorporated, please indicate the number of years that your organization has existed): Mandate and mission or core activity of the organization (50 words maximum): NIC Application 4
Describe two (2) examples of successful projects you have executed in the past, including how you measured or evaluated that success. (250 words maximum) Cultural Organizations Only - provide the following attachments with your application: 1. A copy of your most recent audited financial statement/equivalent; and 2. Two (2) letters of recommendation Year of most recent audited financial statement/equivalent: Recommendation letter 1 Name of supporter: Organization: Recommendation letter 2 Name of supporter: Organization: Section B: Project Information Describe the project and its goals (250 words maximum): List your project event date(s), location(s), and time(s): (Additional dates can be added in the table on the last page of this application) Individual Dates Venue / Location Street Address Time (Start-End) Municipality Is this a new project or an innovative aspect of an existing one New Existing* *If an existing project, describe in detail the new or innovative components of the project for which funds are being requested. (100 words maximum) NIC Application 5
Specify how the project will be promoted. (100 words maximum) Please submit available materials/information related to the project along with the application if applicable (e.g. web and social media posts, promotion materials, etc.) Describe the need for this project and how it will benefit the community. (100 words maximum) Who is the target audience? How many audience members and/or participants do you estimate will take part? (100 words maximum) List confirmed and potential project partners and specify their roles. (Additional partners can be added in the table on the last page of this application). Partner Role/Commitment Confirmed Is there a fee to participate in the project/activity? Yes* No *If yes, please indicate fee structure: How will you measure the success of the project? Please specify both quantitative and qualitative performance indicators. (150 words maximum) NIC Application 6
What will be the legacy of this project? How might it be sustainable? (if applicable) (100 words maximum) Check and describe below how the project supports one or more of the objectives of the Niagara Culture Plan, including but not limited to promoting (150 words maximum): Awareness and appreciation of culture in Niagara A shared identity and a sense of belonging in Niagara Niagara as a cultural destination for residents and tourists Niagara s cultural workers, industries and spaces Cultural economy, education and audiences in Niagara Section C: Project Financial Information Total NIC funding request: Outline the rationale for the NIC amount requested. (100 words maximum) Specify what the NIC funds will be used for in the project. (50 words maximum) Will this grant encourage a matching grant(s)? Yes* No *If yes, indicate source(s) and estimated amount(s). If the project does not receive the full amount requested under NIC, how will you address the shortfall? (75 words maximum) NIC Application 7
Is your project applying for other monies from the Niagara Region? Yes* No *If yes, specify the following: Department(s) that you are receiving/requesting monies from; Sum total of monies to be received/requested; and, Purpose/allocation of the monies in relation to achieving your project. Section D: Project Budget Revenues (Cash) Federal Provincial Regional Local Municipal Agency Private Earned revenues Other Total revenue $ Budgeted $ NIC Component Budgeted $ Total Project Source Expenses (Cash) Staffing Artist fees Marketing Venue(s) Materials Travel Other Total expenses $ Budgeted $ NIC Component Budgeted $ Total Project Specify major cash expenses for all categories below Total Revenue Minus Total Expenses (Cash) $ NIC Application 8
In-kind contributions Estimated cash value* Estimated Cash Value Total Project Specify significant non-cash contributions. Volunteers Supplies Venue(s) Staff Other Total $ $ NOTE: For volunteers, please use a standardized figure of $15/hour to estimate cash value. If you have no standardized figure(s) for staff, please use $20/hour. For all others, please provide the best estimate possible. Section E: Checklist The following materials must be included with your NIC application: Municipalities Completed Application Completed Project Budget Existing Project Materials (if it is a new project component application) Cultural Organizations Completed Application Completed Project Budget Audited Financial Statement or Equivalent Two (2) Letters of Recommendation Existing Project Materials (if a new project component application) Section F: Terms & Conditions By submitting an application to the NIC program the applicant agrees to the following terms and conditions: 1. Personal Information Content The Applicant consents to the release of information contained in its application, pursuant to section 17(2) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (1967). Information contained on the application form will be used by and made available to the members of the NIC program adjudication panel and Niagara Region staff for administrative purposes. The Region reserves the right to verify elements of the application. 2. Appeals There are no appeals regarding funding recipients approved for the NIC program. 3. Application The Applicant acknowledges that the application and all materials submitted in support of the application become property of the Region and will not be returned. 4. Late Applications Applications must be received by the specified deadline to be considered for funding. Late applications will not be considered. 5. Reapplication and Final Reports NIC recipients applying to the program in successive years should note that NIC applications for each year will only be considered upon timely receipt of complete final reporting for the previous year. NIC Application 9
Additional Space for Project Event Dates Individual Dates Venue / Location Street Address Time (Start-End) Municipality Additional Space for Project Partnerships Partner Role/Commitment Confirmed NIC Application 10