Agenda Index City of Vancouver

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

TO:

Standing Committee on City Services and Budgets

FROM:

Director of Social Planning

SUBJECT:

2001 Partners in Organizational Development Grant Allocation

 

RECOMMENDATION

GENERAL MANAGER'S COMMENTS

COUNCIL POLICY

PURPOSE

This report recommends approval of the City's contribution to the Partners in Organizational Development (POD) program for community service agencies in Vancouver.

BACKGROUND

On March 27, 2001, Council approved an allocation of $20,000 for the POD portion of the Community Services Grants. The Partners in Organization Development program was initiated in 1989 as a jointly funded partnership of the Vancouver Foundation, United Way, the Department of the Secretary of State and the City of Vancouver to help non-profit groups deal with common organizational problems and thus to function more effectively.

In both 1993 and 1996, the Partners in Organizational Development program evaluations indicated that it was meeting real needs in the community, that it should be continued, and that other funding partners should be found so that the program could assist more organizations. The Provincial government has increased its contribution this year from $50,000 to $115,000. Health Canada has provided a $10,000 contribution to be used for an evaluation of POD so they can assess how best to support the program.

In addition to funding the various organizational development activities which the program has always supported (identified as the "Organizational Development Stream"), POD also includes an "Access Stream" to help non-profit organizations become more inclusive and responsive to community diversity.

To reduce costs and red tape, the United Way handles the administration of the POD program, co-ordinating mailing lists, distributing applications, and mailing out one cheque to each successful applicant. The United Way receives a 6% administration fee from all of the POD funders as reimbursement for these administrative services.

DISCUSSION

This year's POD program funding partners are: United Way of the Lower Mainland, Vancouver Foundation, BC Ministry of Community, Aboriginal & Women's Services, and the City of Vancouver with a total available budget of $235,079.80.

POD grants are reviewed by a committee of staff representing each funder. Proposals are assessed on the basis of completeness of the application, eligible activities and costs, documented need, clear activity plan and long-term benefits to the organization as a whole. A copy of the text of the 2001 POD brochure describing the program, including eligibility and evaluation criteria, is attached as Appendix C.

A total of 118 applications were received. Of this total 29 were from Vancouver. Although the program is province-wide, Vancouver funds are allocated only to Vancouver-based organizations, while the other funders contribute both to Vancouver groups and non-Vancouver groups. For this cycle, contributions and budget are as follows:


Grants recommended to 11Vancouver community services groups are listed in Appendix A, together with the City's contribution. Vancouver groups who will receive funding from the other POD funders' contributions are listed in Appendix B. The Vancouver groups not recommended for POD funding are also noted in Appendix B.

* * * * *

 

2001 POD COMMUNITY SERVICE GRANTS RECOMMENDED VANCOUVER ORGANIZATIONS

The following 11 Vancouver community service organizations are recommended for Partners in Organizational Development grants:

Organizations

Purpose

Request

POD
Allocation

Other Funders Contribution

COV
Grant

Carnegie Community Centre Association

- for development of a fundraising plan

$2,500

$2,500

$800

$1,700

Coast Foundation Society

- for Board development

$5,000

$3,000

$1,500

$1,500

The Kettle Friendship Society

- for development of a strategic plan

$5,000

$5,000

$3,000

$2,000

A Loving Spoonful

- for development of a fundraising plan

$5,000

$3,000

$1,300

$1,700

Mount Pleasant Family Centre

- for Board development & strategic planning

$4,200

$4,000

$2,000

$2,000

One and All/Nous Tous un Soliel

- for Board development

$3,200

$3,000

$1,500

$1,500

The Potluck Café Society

- for Board development

$5,000

$3,000

$1,500

$1,500

Self-Help Resource Association (SHRA)

- For Board development

$2,500

$2,500

$1,000

$1,500

Vancouver Status of Women

- for development of a strategic plan

$5,000

$3,000

$1,000

$2,000

Warriors Against Violence Society

- for development of a fundraisng plan

$5,000

$4,000

$2,300

$1,700

Watari Research Association

- for development of a fundraising plan

$5,000

$3,500

$1,800

$1,700

Sub-Total

$47,400

$36,500

$17,700

$18,800

Plus 6% administration fee to United Way

      

$1,200

TOTAL

$47,400

$36,500

$17,700

$20,000

The following 8 Vancouver-based Groups will also receive 2001 POD grants for Access and Organizational Development activities. Funding for these Vancouver groups will be provided by the other POD partners:

Organizations

Purpose

Request

POD Grant (to be paid from other funders)

AMSSA Community Education Society of BC

- for development of a fundraising plan

$4,400

$4,400

The Association of Advocates for Care Reform (ACR)

- for development of a strategic plan

$2,000

$2,000

Canadian Mental Health Assoc. of Vancouver (Burnaby Branch)

- for Board development

$3,750

$3,750

Centre for Faith and Healing

- for development of a strategic plan

$5,000

$2,500

Filipino Canadian Support Services Society

- for development of a fundraising plan

$5,000

$5,000

Mid-Main Community Health Centre Society

- for development of a strategic plan

$5,000

$4,000

Pacific Immigrant Resources Society

- for development of a strategic plan

$5,000

$5,000

Vancouver Life Skills Society/South Vancouver Family Place

- to assess governance policies and practices to reflect values of diversity; and to plan for barrier-free, culturally sensitive programs and services

$4,000

$4,000

The following 10 Vancouver community service organizations are not recommended for POD grants from the City of Vancouver allocation.

Organization

Request

Comment

Alternate Shelter Society

$4,500

Ineligible - incomplete application, no budget provided

Coast Foundation Society of the Lower Mainland Network for Affordable Housing

$3,750

Ineligible - activity did not meet POD funding criteria

Hispanic Community Centre Society of BC

$3,000

Ineligible - incomplete application, no staff and Board signatures

Seniors Well Aware Program Society

$5,000

Ineligible - activity did not meet POD funding criteria

South Granville Seniors Friendship Centre

$5,000

Ineligible - activity did not meet POD funding criteria

The Laurier Institution

$5,000

Ineligible - Society status lapsed

Vancouver Food Policy Organization

$5,000

Ineligible - activity did not meet POD funding criteria

Vancouver Society of Children's Centres

$4,000

Ineligible - had already received funding twice within a 5 year period

WISH Drop-in Centre Society

$5,000

Ineligible - activity did not meet POD funding criteria

Your Local Farmers Market Society

$5,000

Ineligible - activity did not meet POD funding criteria

Partners in Organizational Development Brochure 2001
(Note this is the text from the brochure)

FUNDING PARTNERS:
Ministry of Community, Aboriginal and Women's Services
City of Vancouver - Social Planning Department
United Way of the Lower Mainland
Vancouver Foundation

What is Partners in Organizational Development (POD)?

POD is a program that provides grants to non-profit organizations in BC to help them adapt to change, improve their organization and respond to diversity.

The funding enables groups to work with an experienced consultant/resource person to enhance organizational effectiveness.

Program rationale

Established is 1989, the program is a response to the need for non-profit organizations to strengthen their practices and adapt to an increasingly complex environment. Challenged by financial uncertainty, demographic shifts, heightened competition and growing service demands, it has become vital for community groups to have strong governance and management practices and the ability to adapt to ongoing change and diversity.

POD offers short-term support to agencies committed to strengthening their organization.

Who can apply?

POD is available to health and social service organizations that are registered non-profit societies in good standing located in the Province of British Columbia.

POD helps organizations address such questions as:
· Are our programs and mission relevant to changing community needs and reflective of diversity?
· Do we have clear goals and strategies?
· Do board and staff have a common understanding of their roles and responsibilities?
· Are our services and practices accessible and sensitive to diverse communities?
· Does our fundraising plan meet our current and future needs?

Who is NOT eligible?

_ Professional organizations, Foundations, Hospitals, Universities, Colleges or School Districts.
_ Arts or environmental organizations (these should contact the Vancouver Foundation at 688-2204).

What does a POD grant cover?

POD funding can only be directed towards the professional fees of a consultant or resource person. No other expenses are eligible. Grant requests are considered to a maximum of $5,000.

What activities are funded?

There are two funding streams:

1. Access

Planning to help an agency better attract and provide services to diverse community members (for example, ethnicity, physical and mental ability, gender, sexual orientation).

· Assessing how governance policies and practices reflect values of diversity;
· Assessment and planning for:

2. Organizational development

Activities to strengthen organizations and improve effectiveness, such as:

· Development of Plans - in specific areas such as strategic planning, management, financial, fundraising, marketing, or communications;
· Facilitation of Board/staff development - related to specific governance and management issues;
· Development of strategies for organizational change and renewal.

Funding is NOT available for:

· Incomplete or late applications
· Development of job descriptions
· Development, implementation or evaluation of specific programs or services (i.e. activities that relate to particular programs, and not to the organization as a whole)
· Implementation of plans (as opposed to plan development)
· Ongoing operational costs
· Individual staff or volunteer training, or attendance at conferences
· Annual board retreats
· Translation or interpretation services
· Computer or other technological training
· Policy and procedures manuals
· Retroactive requests
· Room rental, food, beverage or incidental costs associated with organizational development activities
· Funding will be granted no more than twice in a five-year period.

Please note that demand exceeds available funds. Applicants that do not have the resources to undertake organizational development on their own will have first priority.

How does an organization apply?

Complete the Application Request Form (see below) to obtain an application package. Interested organizations are encouraged to obtain the application package at least five weeks before the application deadline.

Diskettes are available.

For those interested in obtaining the application package electronically, you may visit the Vancouver Foundation website at: www.vancouverfoundation.bc.ca (under News & Events) or the website of the United Way of the Lower Mainland at: www.uwlm.ca. Because of possible electronic errors it is advisable to get a hard copy.

After receiving the application package, completed application forms that are mailed must be postmarked no later than October 10, 2001. If hand delivered they must be in our office by 5PM October 12, 2001.

Application deadline

Mailed Post Mark date October 10

Hand Delivered October 12, 2001 at 5:00 PM

Please note that we cannot accept applications that are LATE, faxed, e-mailed, or incomplete. Attachments will not be accepted.

Successful applicants will receive notification approximately 8 weeks after the deadline. All grant recipients are required to submit an evaluation report form at the completion of the POD project.

Important to note!

The application form is not included with this information sheet. It is available upon request using the form below.

Based on feedback from former POD recipients, we strongly encourage you to undertake an organizational self-assessment to identify your needs. To assist you with this process, we have developed a self-assessment tool, which is part of the application package.

APPLICATION REQUEST FORM

An Application Package may be obtained by:
· Faxing this form,
· E-mailing, or phoning to:

Linda Stadey
United Way of the Lower Mainland
4543 Canada Way
Burnaby, B.C.
V5G 4T4

FAX: 293-0010
TEL: 294-8929 (Local 255)
EMAIL: lindas@uwlm.ca

Comments or questions? You can send us email.
[City Homepage] [Get In Touch]

(c) 1998 City of Vancouver