1. What is the program's goal?

The goal of the Community Spirit Program (CSP) is to increase individual charitable giving to help support Alberta's non-profit and charitable organizations. The program is donor-driven, meaning it recognizes and encourages Albertans to make cash donations. Monies received from Albertans stay in Alberta to support Alberta-based non-profit and charitable organizations.

2. How is the Program funded?

The Community Spirit Program is made up of two components: the charitable tax credit and the donation grant. Program funding for both components is approximately $96 million, which is divided as follows:

• Approximately $80 million for the charitable tax credit.
• $16 million for the donation grant through the Alberta Lottery Fund.

1. How do I apply for the charitable tax credit?

You don't need to apply for the tax credit. You simply need to claim your annual total eligible charitable donations on your personal income tax return. Refer to the program website for additional information.

1. When did the donation grant start? Where are the forms?

The grant was launched in April 2008. In September each year, the program guidelines and application form for the December 31 application deadline become available on the program website (www.communityspiritprogram.ca) or applicants can contact the program office and forms will be sent out to them.

2. What is the application deadline?

The annual application deadline is December 31.

3. What's new?

(a) Online application process - Organizations are invited to submit an application using the online application form (available in September). Refer to the program website for instructions.

(b) Online final report - In September 2010, applicants will be able to submit their 2009 Final Report using the online form.

(c) Grant Agreement - Applicants will be required to submit an originally signed Grant Agreement. A Statutory Declaration will no longer be required.

(d) Final Report Timeframe - A final report outlining how the grant was spent must be submitted by May 1, 2011.

(e) Final Report Declaration - An originally signed 'Declaration' will be required rather than a Statutory Declaration.

4. Which organizations can apply for a grant?

The grant is available to non-profit organizations and Canada Revenue Agency-registered charities that are incorporated and/or registered in Alberta and operating for a minimum of one year. Organizations must provide philanthropic purposes to Albertans.*

* For the purposes of the grant, philanthropic purposes include activities in Alberta that support education, health, social services, programs for seniors, the environment, animal welfare, sports and recreation, arts and culture, heritage, parks, or agriculture, etc.

5. Are faith-based organizations eligible?

Faith-based organizations qualify to apply for a grant only if they provide philanthropic community programs and/or services to persons outside their own faith community. These programs and/or services need to be clearly defined in the 'Statement of Purpose' as well as in the financial statements. Refer to page 5 of the program guidelines.

6. Are national/international organizations eligible?

Organizations with a primary mandate to provide national or international services qualify to apply for a grant only if they provide philanthropic community programs and/or services in Alberta. These programs and/or services need to be clearly defined in the 'Statement of Purpose' as well as in the financial statements. Refer to page 5 of the program guidelines.

7. Can a national organization registered in Alberta apply for a grant?

Yes they can, as long as the organization can demonstrate the donations have been received in Alberta and will stay in Alberta to support programs and services. The Alberta portion of revenue and cash donations must be identified separately from the total annual revenue when completing the calculation worksheet. Financial documents submitted with the application must also reflect this. Refer to page 5 of the program guidelines.

8. What happens if the minimum required total of $1,000 in eligible cash donations from individuals isn't reached?

Refer to page 6 of the program guidelines. Examples are provided.

9. What is an eligible cash donation?

Refer to pages 8 and 9 of the program guidelines for a listing and explanation of what is considered an eligible cash donation.

10. What is an ineligible cash donation?

Refer to page 10 of the program guidelines for a listing and explanation of what is considered an ineligible cash donation.

11. What can the donation grant be used for?

The grant can be used to support an organization's operations, programs and/or capital projects.

12. What are ineligible uses of the grant?

• Activities and projects outside Alberta (e.g. humanitarian assistance to underprivileged countries, out-of-province research, programs administered in other provinces, travel outside or into Alberta, etc.)
• Religious purposes (e.g. congregation-specific improvements/enhancements to the sanctuary and/or congregational worship activities, staff salaries, etc.)
• Commercial or for-profit purposes
• Political or lobbying activities - includes organized/registered political organizations

13. How is the donation grant determined?

The grant calculation is done after all applications have been reviewed. Using the program's available funds, a financial calculation is done using the grand total of all eligible cash donations received by all eligible organizations as reported in their grant application. As the value of the total donation amounts will change each year, this means the grant value will also change.

14. What is the maximum funding available?

The maximum grant available is $25,000 per year, with total grants not to exceed $50,000 over three years. Please note that the grant amount will vary year to year based on the program budget and the value of eligible cash donations.

15. When will the grant cheques be issued?

Following final grant approvals by the Minister, applicants will be informed in writing within 120 days of the deadline date whether the application has been approved or declined.

16. Can an organization apply for a donation grant and still be eligible for other lottery-funded programs (CIP/CFEP)?

Yes, an organization can apply to other lottery-funded programs like the Community Initiatives Program (CIP) and/or the Community Facilities Enhancement Program (CFEP). However, an organization cannot use the donation grant they have received as matching funds for another lottery-funded grant program.

17. How will Albertans know which organizations have received grants?

A list of successful organizations will be posted on the program website (www.communityspiritprogram.ca) as well as the Alberta Lottery Fund website.

18. Where can information about the donation grant be found?

• On this website - www.communityspiritprogram.ca
• By calling (780) 644-8604 (toll-free by first dialing 310-0000)

1. When is the 2009-10 final report due?

The final report is due May 1, 2011. The grant money must be spent by this time. The final report can be submitted any time before May 1, 2011, as long as the grant has been totally spent.

2. Can funds be used in other areas that were not identified in the 'Statement of Purpose'?

Refer to Section 11.1 of the program guidelines - Key Points to Remember when Completing the Final Report. Also refer to Section 5.0 - Grant Agreement.

If the organization wishes to amend or change the stated 'purpose' of the grant, they must provide an explanation in writing to the program office by December 31, 2010. The letter must be signed by an officer of the organization with legal signing authority. The amendment will be reviewed and acknowledged by the program office and placed on file. The amendment must be reflected in the organization's final report.

3. If we have already spent money on operations, programs or capital projects before receiving the grant, can we apply the grant monies to these areas?

Yes, as long as the use of the grant matches the originally submitted 'Statement of Purpose'. Example: The organization's 12-month fiscal period is January - December. The organization paid an invoice for website development in February, 2010; however, the donation grant wasn't received until May, 2010. The organization can use the grant for this expense.

4. What happens if the organization cannot spend the grant funds?

Contact the program office to discuss the circumstances around why the grant cannot be spent. Any unused funds must be returned to the Government of Alberta by September 30, 2011.

5. Does a separate bank account need to be set up for this grant?

No. Your organization needs to keep financial records of funds received, but this can be done through your regular bank account.

6. Are receipts required with the final report?

No. Receipts and audited/unaudited financial statements are not required to accompany the final report. However, it is the responsibility of the applicant to maintain records for audit purposes following receipt of a grant cheque for three years.

7. Why does the final report require a signed 'declaration'?

The signed 'declaration' is required as evidence that the applicant organization declares that the information contained in the final report is true and accurate. The document must be signed by an officer of the organization, and this signature must be witnessed. The document must be completed and signed in the Province of Alberta.

8. How should the grant be acknowledged?

The Community Spirit Program does not have a logo. For funding acknowledgements, include a short written statement in your newsletter, brochure, website, etc. when acknowledging the grant. For use of the Government of Alberta (GOA) logo, contact the program office.

Example: "We appreciate the Government of Alberta's Community Spirit Program donation grant of $xxxxx. This grant allowed us to xxxxx."