Posted on Jan 18, 2020
Four and half years ago the Government of Canada (GOC) started providing $1.2 million (CDN) each year for five years matching all club and District Designated money invested into approved Global Grant projects.  Health, Education and Economic Development with some light environmental projects are funded, especially those with a focus on women and children. 
 
We are currently in the final year of the 5-year agreement but our TRF (Canada) Directors have requested an extension of 2 years for the money we have received from the Government of Canada and not used as of June 30, 2020.  TRF Canada has not received an answer back yet, but they are hopeful for a positive response, as there is still some of the money left.  When a response is received, it will be shared.  In the meantime, plan as though the funding is there. 
 
The Government of Canada has three key development assistance objectives: gender equity; environmental sustainability; and good governance that all projects under this program must address.  The assessment of the current state of those three elements in the project’s host community must be completed and submitted as part of the pre-qualification process.  For further information please refer to The TRF (Canada) website under GOC Program (in English) or GDC Programme (in French).  On the same page you can access the GOC Partnership for Community Development Pre-Qualification Application Template.
 
The GOC funded project focuses on efforts designed to reduce poverty, promote economic development, improve health (especially maternal and child health), promote literacy and empower women.
 
The following are some guidelines worth paying attention to when thing about fund-raising:
  • 5 of the 6 areas of focus qualify, the exception is peace building and conflict prevention;
  • the benefitting community must be actively involved;
  • you must partner with a club in another country;
  • the project must have a long-term sustainable impact;
  • the project must have a minimum budget of $30,000 (US);
  • Rotary Club cash contributions and District Designated Funds will be matched 1:1 by the Government of Canada funds;
  • Scholarships, construction activities of any kind, purchase of vehicles and major medical equipment purchases cannot be funded.
In relation to doing projects, it is now timely for Rotarian leaders and members of their World Community / International Committees to think ahead about what they want to do in terms of projects in the 2020-21 Rotary year and consider District and Global Grants and other financial resources that could be available.  In April 2020 the District will be ensuring that Rotary Clubs sign another Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between their Club and The Rotary Foundation to access and manage supportive funding.
 
Members of our District 7010 Global Grant Committee have had successful experience applying for Global Grants and Government of Canada funding.  We are available to guide you through the process.  If you need any assistance, please contact Dawn Straka, Chair District 7010 Global Grants Committee straka@nexicom.net.
 
Yours in Rotary Service,
 
Shelly
 
Shelly Duben
Director of Service Projects
Rotary District 7010
 
 
Editor's Note:
Last month, we shared a Spotlight on Service message about Global Grants written by Past District Governor Dawn Straka. The feedback was very positive!  This spotlight builds on what was shared and describes a valuable resource that Canadian Rotarians and Rotary Clubs have, that can financially support their long-term sustainable international projects that are funded with Global Grants. Thanks once again to PDG Dawn Straka for providing the information about this great partnership between Rotary and Canadian government.
 
Related story about the Guatemala Literacy Project which is benefitting from the Partnership.