Grants and Financial Assistance

Applicant Eligibility

• Be a registered non-profit organisation that is in good standing and located in Prince George. Partnerships with a local non-profit sporting organisation may be considered. 
• Demonstrate the financial and organisational capacity to host the event being applied for. 
• Be in good financial standing with the City of Prince George. Organisations with outstanding receivables with the City are ineligible. 
• Provide a viable business plan for the event detailing the objectives, action plan, volunteer and organisational structure, timelines and budget (upon request). 

Event Eligibility

• Be a sporting event that takes place over more than one day.
• Attract a significant number of out-of-town participants who generate at least one overnight stay in paid accommodations.
• Incorporate an intensive amount of competitions in those event days.
• Occur within the City of Prince George limits. Applicants whose events fall outside of the City limits may be considered if the event clearly demonstrates the majority of services - such as accommodations and food and beverage - are being provided within Prince George. 

Ineligible Projects

• Events offering prize money.
• Events operated by a for-profit business.
• Events receiving funding through the Major Sport Events Hosting program (see the "Forms and Additional Information" section) 
• Events that have already occurred.
• Funding will not be provided to support the bidding process for events.

Additional Criteria

Successful applicants must also satisfy the following conditions:

• Complete a final report within sixty (60) days of the event's completion. The report must include:
• Number of volunteers
• Number of local athletes, coaches and officials
• Number of out-of-town athletes, coaches and officials
• Number of local spectators (estimates if the event is not ticketed)
• Number of out-of-town spectators (estimates if the event is not ticketed)
• Final financial statement 
• Include the SportPG logo on any printed materials, the event website, and social media (where applicable). Exposure must be at the same level or greater than other funders of equal value. Copies of these materials must be included in the final report. Please contact the City for suitable logos, including the respective logo branding standards. 
• Supply a minimum of three (3) three high-resolution photographs which are of sufficient quality to be used for promotional materials. The City of Prince George and Tourism Prince George must be given copyright permissions to use these photos for promotional or educational purposes. Photo submissions will indicate copyright permissions given. If photo credits are required, these must be provided. 
• Prior to the event, provide event website address and social media information including hashtags being used for the event.  
• Display the SportPG banner on-site during the event in a visible location. The City can provide this banner. 
• Within sixty (60) days, email a post-event survey to registered participants. A copy of the survey will be supplied by Tourism Prince George.

The SportPG Hosting Grant funding is based on participant numbers and whether the event’s scope is Regional, Provincial, Western Canadian, National or International. For the funding outline below, “participants” will include athletes, coaches and field of play officials:         

• Regional (50 per cent or more of participants located outside of city limits) -- $6/participant 
• Provincial (75 per cent or more participants located over 235 km from City) -- $8/participant 
• Western Canada (participants from BC, AB, SK and MB) -- $9/participant 
• National (75 per cent or more participants from out of province) -- $10/participant 
• International (75 per cent or more participants from outside of Canada) -- $12/participant                  

Upon grant approval, successful recipients will receive 50 per cent of the approved funds prior to the sporting event based on the estimated number of eligible participants outlined in the application. The exact amount of the remaining funding will be determined after the event is completed, the number of participants is confirmed, and the final report is approved by the City. Lower numbers of actual participants than anticipated will result in a lower grant allocation. 

The Adjudication Committee consists of staff members from Tourism Prince George and City of Prince George.

The City of Prince George reserves the right to request additional financial information at any point during the granting process.

The City recognizes some events may present unique opportunities and challenges that are not addressed in this program. In certain unique and exceptional circumstances, the City - in partnership with Tourism Prince George - may adjust the program.

Large-scale sporting events where considerable Hosting Right Fees, Multi-Sport Games (I.E. Canada Games), or Financial Guarantees are required are considered outside this grant program. The typical level of staffing and financial resource commitments needed by such events exceed the scope of the SportPG Hosting Grant and requires City Council approval.

For these types of event requests and for additional information or questions about the SportPG Hosting Grant or the Major Sport Event Hosting program, contact Community Partnerships at 250-561-7640.

• Apply now for a SportPG Hosting Grant

Applications will be reviewed on their individual merit based on available financial resources and grant objectives. Groups that focus on one or more of the following categories are welcome to submit an application:

• Community events and celebrations
• Indoor and outdoor recreation
• Lights and decorations
• Goodwill programs
• Beautification and landscape projects

To be eligible for the Community Enhancement grant, applicants must satisfy the following requirements:

1. Be any non-profit organisation within the City of Prince George
OR
2. Be a group of neighbours with a defined neighbourhood project (must be partnered with a non-profit organisation)
OR
3. Be a business in collaboration with a non-profit organisation.
4. All applicants must include a component of community or neighbourhood involvement.
5. Priority will be given to innovative projects that indicate initiative and self-help on the part of the applicants.

Note: Applicants may apply for a grant of between $200-$1000. Funds are not available to cover operating and/or ongoing expenses. Matching funds will be considered under the following categories:

• Monies
• Volunteer labour (at current minimum wage)
• Donated material and supplies
• Donated equipment
• A combination of money, volunteer labour, donated materials and supplies and donated equipment
  
• E.G. A group applying for $400 must show they have at least $400 worth of money, volunteer labour, donated materials and supplies, or donated equipment to put towards the project.

Submissions that include an element of sustainability are encouraged.  The deadline for October applications has lapsed: please check back by January 15, 2019 for updated criteria and applications.

For organizations who have received 2018 funding, please submit your evaluation form:

• Download a grant recipient evaluation form [PDF]
  

Funding

There are two funding categories:

1. Emerging Tourism Events:

• Local events that show an economic return, attract media exposure, and market and attract tourists.
• Term: 1- 3 year terms are available with a maximum annual grant contribution of $5,000*

2. Signature Tourism Events:

• Major tourism events that show an economic return and attract significant media exposure, sponsors, and attendance including tourists. Only festivals and events that have demonstrated three (3) years of successful growth and stability as well as have a minimum $50,000 event operating budget are eligible to apply under this category.
• Term: 1- 3 year terms are available with a maximum annual grant contribution of $15,000*

*Recipients awarded with multi-year grant terms are not required to re-submit an application form in subsequent years provided the City has received and accepted their annual Post Event Evaluation Form from the previous year.

2019 Event Definitions and Grant Criteria

• Only registered non-profit societies or registered charities are eligible.
• A minimum of 50% of requested funding must be used for marketing and needs to be clearly identified in the application, budget and, if successful, demonstrated in the evaluation.
• Successful applications need to demonstrate how they are meeting these grant criteria:
• Outline the enhancement or creation of an event and how it  will positively impact the event
• Demonstrate that the organisation has the capacity to execute the event
• Indicate how the event will focus on building and measuring local attendance and will effectively reach the identified target audience(s), including out of town visitation and overnight stays
• Show that the event will not duplicate other initiatives
• Present a proposed budget that is sufficiently detailed, reasonable and balanced and demonstrates how the funds will be leveraged to increase overall budget
• Detail how the event enhances Prince George and promotes it as a great place to live and visit
• Exhibit how the event fosters partnerships and celebrates civic spaces and organisations
• Outline how the event promotes cultural richness, local arts, history and attractions as well as equality, inclusivity and accessibility
• The event must be held within the city limits of the City of Prince George and be open to the public and promoted as such.

Application Deadlines

The application deadline for ALL 2019 events is March 15, 2018. This is a change from the 2017 process. Notification will be made within six weeks of the application deadline. Funds will be available for distribution in January 2019.

Funding decisions are based on available funds, quality of applications, adherence to the outlined criteria and applicants may not get the full amount requested. Please be thorough in your application. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

Please note: Applicants wishing to have submissions reviewed in advance to ensure completion or to get feedback may send it to Jen Tkachuk at a minimum of two weeks before the deadline.

For more information and to return the application please contact:

Jen Tkachuk
Civic Events Coordinator

Phone: 250-614-7880
Email: jen.tkachuk@princegeorge.ca

Need help, ideas, and tips on how to write the application?         

• Watch the Northern Development Initiative Trust's grant webinar

The application deadline for ALL 2019 events is March 15, 2018. This is a change from the 2017 process.

Funding decisions are based on available funds, quality of applications, adherence to the outlined criteria and applicants may not get the full amount requested. Please be thorough in the application. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

• Download the 2018 Celebrate Prince George Grant Application [PDF]
  

Eligible activities can be large or small and activities or projects must be accessible to residents of all backgrounds, ethnicities, and income levels. Grant applications will be evaluated based on whether the proposed initiative(s):

• Increase community pride
• Encourage a safe community
• Provide social connections for citizens
• Encourage physical activity
• Provide opportunities for involvement in arts and culture 
• Ensure equity and inclusion

Additional Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants must ensure there are other cash or in-kind contributions to support the project.
• Projects/events must be within City of Prince George boundaries.
• A letter of support from the relevant department is required for projects operating on City lands or parks.
  

The MyPG Community Grant will NOT fund:

• For profit businesses
• Research
• Payment of City property taxes
• Capital projects
• Professional development/conferences
• Travel
• Fundraisers
• Projects or events that have already taken place
• Beautification projects (public art projects may be eligible)
• School activities (activities that don't demonstrate significant involvement of community residents)  

Please ensure proposed projects and initiatives support the grant criteria and eligibility requirements before filling out a grant application. The City of Prince George will consider alignment with criteria, degree of innovation, collaboration with partner organisations, and potential to positively impact large numbers of local residents when evaluating applications.

The review of grant applications normally takes six (6) to eight (8) weeks and allocations are generally $8,000 or less. Application forms and other related documents will be posted when the next submission intake is active.

• Complete an evaluation report for a myPG Community Grant
  

Applicants must be permanent residents of Prince George and meet one of the two following criteria:

1. Have an annual income in the previous/current year that is below the Statistics Canada Low Income Guidelines (see application form for details).
   
2. Receive a BC Seniors Supplement that is below the Statistics Canada Low Income Guidelines.

Eligible applicant(s) may have one of the following referral agencies apply on their behalf:

• Ministry of Children and Family Development
• Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation
• Community Living BC
• Carrier Sekani Family Services (Family Support and Children in Care Guardianship Services) 
• Nezul Be Hunuyeh Child and Family Services Society

The application form may be downloaded as a PDF document or picked up in person at the following locations:

• City Hall
• Four Seasons Leisure Pool
• Prince George Aquatic Centre

Please allow two (2) weeks for processing. Approved applicants will receive a letter in the mail. Successful applicants must bring the letter to the Four Seasons Leisure Pool or Prince George Aquatic Centre for a Leisure Access card that is valid for one year.

• Apply now for the Leisure Access Program [PDF]
  
• Download the application form for Referral Agencies [PDF]
  

All groups where the majority of members are 18 years old or younger or individuals 18 years old or younger are eligible. Applicants must be sponsored by an organisation in a recognised cultural, educational, art, sport and/or a recreational activity. Applicants must also satisfy the following requirements:

• Have been selected at a juried show to have his or her work displayed in a regional, provincial, national level, or within a designated geographic area recognised by the sponsoring organisation
OR
• Have awarded a scholarship within a specific field of art to attend a school of national or Western Canadian recognition
OR
• Have won a local, regional or provincial  competition, or have been selected by a sponsoring organisation to represent Prince George at a regional, provincial or national competition
OR
• Have won the right or have been selected to represent the City of Prince George, the Province of British Columbia, and/or Canada at an international competition.

On occasion those activities that are considered to be in pursuit of excellence are eligible for funding. School-based sports and activities are not eligible.

In addition, applications must:

• Include a completed application form.
• Include a signed letter from a current Executive Board of Directors member, on official letterhead, with details of the event itself and a list of qualifying events. The letter must include a statement that the applicant meets all criteria.
• Indicate that the travel has occurred prior to the application date.

The annual funding amount is derived from interest on the BC Winter Games Legacy Trust, and the total available amount for grants can vary annually, based on current interest rates.

The actual amount provided will be a maximum of the amount listed below, but is often less due to the number of other applications received.

All grant applications may be subject to further review as required. Please be prepared to provide detailed information on eligibility requirements and actual expenses incurred.

Applicants or organisations must be based in Prince George and able to supply proof of incorporation or registration.  A maximum of one grant per calendar year is available per individual/team and the amount of funding available is dependent on the number of applicants.

Grants will be reviewed and paid bi-annually (June and December each year).

• Apply now for a Travel Grant