Community Initiatives Fund 2016/2017 Annual Report
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COMMUNITY INITIATIVES FUND 2016/2017 ANNUAL REPORT Table of CONTENTS 2 Letter of Transmittal 4 Message from the Chair and Executive Director 6 Our Board 6 Our Mission, Vision and Strategic Objectives 8 Community Initiatives Fund Grant Programs 9 Community Grant Program 31 Community Places and Spaces Program 37 Exhibition Associations 38 Audited Financial Statements COMMUNITY INITIATIVES FUND • ANNUAL REPORT 2016-17 1 Letter of TRANSMITTAL The Honourable Ken Cheveldayoff Minister of Parks, Culture and Sport and Minister Responsible for the Community Initiatives Fund Dear Hon. Cheveldayoff: On behalf of the Board of Trustees of the Community Initiatives Fund, it is my pleasure to present to you the Annual Report of the Community Initiatives Fund for the period April 1, 2016 to March 31, 2017. Respectfully submitted, Dwight Lemon Chairperson Board of Trustees Community Initiatives Fund 2 COMMUNITY INITIATIVES FUND • ANNUAL REPORT 2016-17 COMMUNITY INITIATIVES FUND • ANNUAL REPORT 2016-17 3 Message from the CHAIR AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Dear community leaders: The 2016/2017 year marked the twentieth year that the Community Initiatives Fund (CIF) has provided grants to support the many community projects, programs and events that enhance quality of life for Saskatchewan residents throughout our province. Since our first grants in 1996/1997 the CIF has distributed more than $148 million to over 400 communities throughout the province. Over the years, CIF funds have Dwight Lemon supported a wide variety of community-based programs; Chair summer camps; provincial and municipal centennial celebrations; capital projects; physical activity initiatives; sport, culture and recreation opportunities; and much more. More than 10% of the province’s population, primarily children and youth, benefit annually from the CIF’s support of these initiatives. Throughout our twenty year history the Community Grant Program has served as our core grant program. In 2016/2017 the CIF Board approved $7,731,337 in support of 589 projects through this program. This year marked the final year for the Community Places and Spaces Program. Introduced in 2010 as the Tracey Mann Community Vitality Program for a three year term, we Executive Director were able to extend the capital program for an additional four years. Funded through the CIF’s accumulated surplus, which has now been fully expended, the final program deadline was October 1, 2016. From this deadline the CIF Board approved $2,262,245 for 137 projects. 4 COMMUNITY INITIATIVES FUND • ANNUAL REPORT 2016-17 During the past three years the number the Voluntary Sector Studies Network, an of applications to the Community Grant initiative of Luther College at the University Program has increased by 21%, with 165 of Regina. more applications received in 2016/2017 than the previous year, requesting almost On behalf of the CIF Board we extend our double the funds available for granting. appreciation to current and past Board At the same time, the CIF’s allocation of members, past delivery partners, Sask revenues from the Saskatchewan Gaming Sport Inc. and the Ministry of Parks, Culture Corporation have remained flat and are and Sport for your involvement and support projected to decrease due to a mature of the CIF’s work over the past twenty gaming market. This poses a significant years. We would especially like to thank all challenge to our adjudication committees members of our adjudication committees and the Board as we try to remain who volunteer countless hours reviewing responsive to community priorities within and providing thoughtful consideration of limited resources. the hundreds of grant applications received each year. Special recognition is due to the Partnerships continue to be integral members of the Community Places and to the CIF’s success in achieving our Spaces Committee members, all of whom strategic objectives. In collaboration with remained with us through the entire seven Heritage Saskatchewan, development years of the capital grant program! of the Saskatchewan Index of Wellbeing has progressed towards our target of a We continue to appreciate our collaborative release in later 2017. Based on the eight relationship with the Ministry of Parks, domains and related indicators of the Culture and Sport and the support of the Canadian Index of Wellbeing, the Index Government of Saskatchewan. As Board will provide a baseline for how people in members and staff we feel very privileged Saskatchewan are faring beyond economic to be involved with an agency that benefits indicators. Through an informal funders thousands of Saskatchewan people living network facilitated by the CIF, we have in all areas of our province. enhanced our relationship with other On a personal note, this year is my final funding organizations sharing information, year serving on the CIF Board of Trustees. resources and pursuing joint professional I have truly enjoyed the opportunity development opportunities. to serve for eight years, and would like The CIF continues to support and provide to thank my Board colleagues for their leadership to initiatives designed to support during my term as Chair. benefit Saskatchewan’s nonprofit sector. In closing, thank you again for the This includes our ongoing role with the important work you do now and into Saskatchewan Nonprofit Partnership, and the future. Sincerely, Tracey Mann Dwight Lemon Executive Director Chair COMMUNITY INITIATIVES FUND • ANNUAL REPORT 2016-17 5 Meet THE BOARD The CIF is a Special Purpose Fund created through The Saskatchewan Gaming Corporation Act, governed by a Board of eight members. Bringing a broad range of knowledge, experience and regional perspectives, our Board, individually and collectively, is deeply committed to the wellbeing of Saskatchewan communities. Our Board members are appointed by the Government of Saskatchewan and are accountable to the Ministry of Parks, Culture and Sport. L-R: Terri Davis, Esther Haas, Ian Rea, Steve Jeffers, Gaston de la Sablonnière, Dwight Lemon, Lynn Chipley Our Mission & Our Mission Our mission is to make knowledgeable and effective investments in community VISION based initiatives that strengthen the capacity of communities throughout Saskatchewan. The CIF’s vision, mission, values, and strategic objectives provide the foundation Our Vision for the Fund’s governance, management, and program planning. Goals identified for The CIF Board and staff visualize a each of the strategic objectives provide future of vibrant, resilient, sustainable focus to the activities undertaken to and proud Saskatchewan communities support achievement of the CIF’s vision. whose citizens are engaged and actively working to enhance quality of life. 6 COMMUNITY INITIATIVES FUND • ANNUAL REPORT 2016-17 Our Strategic OBJECTIVES The CIF will be a strategic and serve those accessing programs offered by innovative funder. community-based organizations. The CIF continuously monitors and In addition to providing funding, the CIF integrates community priorities and serves in a leadership or advisory role to a trends into its planning and programming, number of initiatives including serving on supporting projects that demonstrate the steering group for the Voluntary Sector tangible outcomes as well as new and Studies Network at Luther College, which innovative approaches to complex social launched its Certificate in Nonprofit Sector challenges. Good grantmaking practises are Leadership and Innovation in September incorporated into the CIF’s administration 2016. The CIF is also working in partnership of grants to ensure the accountability, with Heritage Saskatchewan leading the transparency, and integrity of its investments first Saskatchewan Index of Wellbeing in community-based initiatives. Report which will be launched in late 2017. The CIF continues to serve as host for the The CIF continues to seek out opportunities Saskatchewan Nonprofit Partnership which to collaborate with other funders to share will be undertaking a provincial survey of knowledge, practises, and engage in joint nonprofit organizations in Saskatchewan in initiatives. For example, the CIF continues 2017 to gather baseline data about the size, to host the Funders Network, an informal scope, and contributions of the sector. network of funding organizations that meets to share information, identify shared learning objectives, and opportunities for The CIF will have the internal collaboration. The Grantmaking School capacity to achieve its mission and held in October 2016 was the first formal strategic directions. learning event initiated by the Network, Continuous improvement and learning and will serve as a springboard for further remains a priority for the CIF Board, learning and networking opportunities. adjudication committees, and staff. The CIF is committed to ongoing learning The CIF will play a key leadership by continually seeking opportunities to role in support of community increase our knowledge of best practises, organizations. trends, and innovations in grantmaking. In early 2016, the CIF undertook a The CIF believes that nonprofit Community Perspectives Survey asking organizations and community groups are for feedback and input into CIF’s grant vital contributors to the wellbeing and program priorities and administration. We quality of life of Saskatchewan residents. received 543 responses providing a wealth The CIF supports initiatives that build the of information that has been informing our capacity of the nonprofit sector through planning as we strive to remain