Rural Alberta's Development Fund is a not-for-profit company incorporated
in 2006 under Part-9 of the Companies Act (Alberta). It was created
to fulfill a commitment by the Government of Alberta to support
communities, regional alliances, government departments and not-for-profit
organizations in kick starting community-building projects that
would contribute to the growth and prosperity of rural Alberta.
The $100 million provided to the Fund by the Government of Alberta
will be used to invest in projects that stimulate economic growth
and address rural challenges and opportunities. The Fund is a key
implementation initiative of the province's Rural Development Strategy,
released in 2005. For more information on the Strategy, go to
www.rural.gov.ab.ca/strategy
Vision
Rural Alberta has vibrant and sustainable communities where rural
and urban families, individuals, organizations, businesses, and
governments are vital contributors to the growth, prosperity and
quality of life of Albertans.
Mission
Rural Alberta's Development Fund seeks to inspire and act as a
catalyst for innovative, collaborative, community-led projects
which promote growth, prosperity and quality of life in rural Alberta.
Rural Alberta's Development Fund will support projects that have
tangible outcomes. Its priorities are to:
- Promote economic development in rural communities
- Build community capacity
- Facilitate opportunities to access rural health services
- Expand learning and skill development opportunities
- Sustain and enhance the quality of rural Alberta's environment
- Provide opportunities for rural youth
- Engage and support seniors
- Encourage the participation of Aboriginal people
There are four activity areas or pillars that are considered critical
to the growth and prosperity of any rural community.
- Economic Growth: providing opportunities for rural communities
to develop strong economies and benefit fully from Alberta's
economic strength.
- Community Capacity, Quality of Life and Infrastructure:
ensuring rural communities have the capacity and quality of
life necessary to remain vibrant and attractive
places to live, work and visit.
- Rural Health Delivery: facilitating innovative rural solutions
to health issues, providing opportunities for people to access
quality health services and developing the economic potential
of health care services. This pillar recognizes the role rural
health regions play in health renewal.
- Learning and Skill Development: providing excellent schools,
access to the best possible education and expanding opportunities
in local communities for people to get the skills they need to
compete and succeed in the marketplace.
The Fund hopes many projects will provide benefits across two
or more pillars. Referred to as Strategic Flagship Initiatives,
these initiatives would build leadership, profile and problem solving
capacity in rural Alberta. Organizations considering a proposal
for a Strategic Flagship Initiative project should discuss the
idea with Rural Alberta's Development Fund staff in advance.
1. Economic Growth: providing opportunities for
rural communities to develop strong economies and benefit fully from
Alberta's economic strength.
- Assisting rural Albertans to take full advantage of the SuperNet.
- Research and dissemination of rural economic development best
practices.
- Development of rural business incubators.
- Temporary staff positions to provide information and advice
to rural Albertans on rural economic development projects.
- Creation of rural economic development training tools.
- Retention and attraction of rural business, investment capital
and labour.
- Rural tourism development.
- Mentoring of rural entrepreneurs.
- Rural business and volunteer board succession planning initiatives.
- New economic development events/conferences in rural Alberta.
The types of projects of particular interest to the Fund within this
pillar are those that are:
- Developed through a comprehensive community planning process
(e.g. Municipal Sustainability Plans).
- Involve and benefit more than one rural community or organization.
- Accomplish long-term rural economic impact (e.g. increased
employment, business retention and expansion, investment attraction).
- Attract and retain a rural Alberta labour force.
- Build the capacity of rural Albertans to facilitate economic
development.
2. Community Capacity, Quality of Life and Infrastructure: ensuring
rural communities have the capacity and quality of life
necessary to remain vibrant and attractive places to live, work and
visit.
- Building local capacity for leadership, planning, development,
assessment and empowerment.
- Innovative use of existing community infrastructure and government
buildings.
- Support and expansion of the role and use of libraries in
delivering community and regionally based information and unique
services.
- Establishment of rural networks that contribute to rural development.
- Facilitation of development, awareness and appreciation for
the arts, recreation, sport, community and cultural activities,
historical resources, parks and protected areas.
The types of projects of particular interest to the Fund within this
pillar are those that are:
- Developed through a comprehensive community planning process
(e.g. Municipal Sustainability Plans).
- Engage a broad cross-section of the community in planning
and implementation.
- Develop volunteer leadership and organizational capacity.
- Contribute to making rural Alberta the best place to live,
work and raise a family.
3. Rural Health Delivery: facilitating innovative
rural solutions to health issues, providing opportunities for people
to access quality health services and developing the economic potential
of health care services. This pillar also recognizes the role rural
health regions play in health renewal.
- Support of seniors to remain in their communities and continue
to be active participants.
- Using existing capacity in rural health facilities to provide
expanded access to certain surgeries, treatments and unique programs.
The types of projects of particular interest to the Fund within this
pillar are those that are:
- Developed through a comprehensive community planning process
(e.g. Municipal Sustainability Plans).
- Engage a broad cross-section of the community in planning
and implementation.
- Contribute to the health and wellness of rural citizens.
- Contribute to making rural Alberta the best place to live,
work and raise a family.
4. Learning and Skill Development: providing excellent
schools, access to the best possible education, and expanding opportunities
in local communities for people to get the skills they need to compete
and succeed in the marketplace.
- Improving access for students and assist teachers and administrators
in rural schools to incorporate and use technology as an effective
tool for teaching and learning.
- Bringing schools and community groups together to create service
hubs for children and communities.
- Expanding awareness of the importance of post secondary education
and the trades to young people, parents and community members.
- Increasing access to trades training.
The types of projects of particular interest to the Fund within this
pillar are those that are:
- Developed through a comprehensive community planning process
(e.g. Municipal Sustainability Plans).
- Engage a broad cross-section of the community in planning
and implementation.
- Contribute to the knowledge and skills of rural citizens.
- Contribute to making rural Alberta the best place to live,
work and raise a family.
Rural Alberta's Development Fund wants to partner with enthusiastic
champions in rural Alberta that are innovative, creative, collaborative,
willing to commit their own resources and not afraid to try something
new. To be eligible project proposals should:
- Link to one or more of the outcome priorities and respond
to at least one of the pillars. The Fund is interested in projects
which contribute to the knowledge and skills of rural citizens
and contribute to making rural Alberta the best place to live,
work and raise a family.
- Provide demonstrated benefit to rural Albertans. Projects
must have practical outcomes that benefit Albertans long-term.
These might include enhanced employment and skill/knowledge development,
strategies that facilitate industry development and other value-added
activities in rural areas.
- Address the needs of rural Albertans. Projects should demonstrate
how the needs of rural Albertans are being met. These needs may
vary from place to place. In addressing needs, it is important
that the role of Aboriginal governance and the federal government
be understood and respected.
- Provide a new and innovative approach. Projects should be
of a sufficient scale to effect lasting change. They should create
new opportunities and strengthen the innovative capacity of rural
Albertans. It is recognized that to do this, projects may incur
a higher risk than would normally be supported by traditional
programs or financial partners.
- Have a defined purpose, timeline and outcomes. Projects must
have sound business cases which outline long term sustainability
without ongoing financial support from the Fund. Outcomes must
be clearly defined, measurable and have sustainable impact.
Projects must be completed before the end of September, 2011.
Rural Alberta's Development Fund's objective is to have its
$100 million fully committed by the fall of 2009 and the funds
fully disbursed by the fall of 2011.
- Not duplicate or overlap with other federal, provincial or
municipal programs. Government departments may initiate or be
partners in projects but the project must be beyond the scope
of existing programs. The development of community based plans
(other than statutory plans) directed at building community capacity
are eligible.
- Not provide direct support to for profit businesses and is
neutral from a business competition perspective. Businesses may
be partners in projects but projects may not contribute to business
revenues. Projects may support industry-wide strategies to improve
competitiveness, increase diversification or augment value-added
activity. The Fund will not provide loans, loan guarantees or
grants to businesses, nor will it take equity, royalties or own
intellectual property.
- Have funding approval before project initiation. Retroactive
costs will not be reimbursed.
- Meet any specific criteria set for certain areas of program
focus. Projects will demonstrate that the implementation team
has the skills to execute the business plan and the management
discipline to be financially and legally accountable and transparent.
Projects that may disadvantage others or result in government
lobbying will not be supported.
- Engage the community and have community backing. Projects
must involve the impacted communities and demonstrate community
backing. The Fund is particularly interested in projects which:
- Have been identified as a priority through a comprehensive
community planning process (such as Municipal Sustainability
Plans).
- Engage a broad cross-section of the community in planning
and implementation.
- Include commitments of support from community organizations,
businesses, local governments, etc.
- Demonstrate collaboration between communities, regions, governments
or groups of rural stakeholders. Projects that offer benefits
beyond one community are encouraged. Financial partnerships are
essential as applicants must contribute 25% or more of their
own investment toward project costs.
- Support the development of people of all ages. The Fund recognizes
the importance of building leadership and community capacity
which relies on and leverages the resources of rural Albertans
of all ages. Priority will be given to projects that meet the
demographic challenges of rural Alberta and engage rural youth,
seniors or Aboriginal people.
- Learn and adapt from rural jurisdictions elsewhere including
across Canada and beyond. Projects that adapt successes from
elsewhere to Alberta situations are encouraged. Projects that
can be implemented in a variety of Alberta rural communities
adds to the scale and sustainability of outcomes.
Applicants must be a legal entity and be one or more of the following:
- Communities, regional organizations (e.g. economic development,
education, health, etc.) and not-for-profit organizations.
- Government of Alberta departments and agencies or other orders
of government, including First Nations and Métis Settlements.
- Non-Alberta or metropolitan urban entities, in collaboration
with rural Alberta entities.
The minimum contribution to a project from the Fund will be $50,000.
The maximum contribution to any individual project may not exceed
$5 million. The Fund may refer smaller projects to existing government
programs. The Fund will not pay project development costs.
Project applicants must provide at least 25% of the overall cost
of the project. Priority may be given to proposals where the applicant
is paying a higher percentage of the cost.
Applicants who have projects approved are required to sign a funding
agreement. The agreement outlines how funds will be disbursed and
includes interim reporting requirements, approved project milestones,
project completion and final report deadlines. Ten percent of funding
is withheld until the final report is received and approved. Project
funding is tied to reporting but will be flexible regarding the project's
timeline and milestones.
Eligible costs include:
- Incremental direct costs of approved projects (indirect or
ongoing costs are not eligible)
- Incremental temporary staff costs
- Travel costs
- Meeting and administration costs
- Materials and supplies
- Professional, consultant or contractor fees and disbursements
- Capital expenditures, with the exception of assets previously
owned by the applicant, are eligible for funding if they are
essential to the project. Capital construction should be
incidental and should not be the main focus of a proposal.
Eligible financial contributions from applicants and partners:
- Cash contributions
- In-kind or sweat equity, as approved by the Fund.
There is a two step application process. An Expression of Interest
must be submitted and approved before a full project proposal will
be considered.
1. Expression of Interest
The Expression of Interest is basically an executive summary of a
project and should be no more than three pages in length. A completed
and signed Expression of Interest Form must be submitted with
the summary. The form is available at www.ruralalbertasfund.com
or by calling toll free 1-877-940-7233.
Expressions of Interest are reviewed by the Fund's
Board of Directors and they decide which applicants will be asked
to submit a project proposal.
Approval of an Expression of Interest does not automatically result
in funding approval.
Expressions of Interest are accepted at any time and reviewed on
an on-going basis. The Fund will notify an applicant within four
to six weeks of submission and indicate if the Expression of Interest
was approved, rejected or more information is required.
A. Who is your organization? Describe your
organization, its incorporated status, its membership, its track
record, who the contact person is, etc.
B. What is your project? Describe what you
are proposing to do in your project, how it will address the
needs of your community and rural Albertans, etc.
C. Who is supporting you? Describe who are
the contributing partners, collaborators, stakeholders and supporters,
etc. Do not submit letters of support at this time.
D. What impact will your project have on your community? Explain
the long term practical outcomes of your project on one or more
communities, how it relates to a community plan, how you will
measure the success of your project, etc.
E. What is your timeline? Explain when you
will start the project, how long will it take to complete it,
what are your milestones, when you will provide an evaluation
report, etc.
F. How much will it cost and how will costs be covered? What
are the project cost breakdowns, what is the financial support
from contributing partners, etc?
G. Any other comments or relevant information.
Expressions of Interest are
screened using the following criteria:
A. Is the applicant a legal entity?
B. Is the requested grant no more than 75% of the total cost?
C. Will all work be completed by September 30, 2011?
D. Goals and objectives:
- Does the project fit the Fund's vision and desired outcomes?
- Does the project relate to any long range plans for the
community?
- Does the project provide innovative or new opportunities
for people in the community?
E. Participating organizations and governance:
- What is the track record of the organization(s) participating
in the project?
- What is the level of community involvement?
- What is the level of commitment of participating organizations?
F. Activities, deliverables and outcomes:
- Does the timeline fit within the Fund's business plan?
- What are the impacts of the project's activities?
- Are the results transferable to other locations?
- Are the results measurable?
G. Administration and finances:
- Are the project costs realistic?
- Are revenue sources identified?
- Does the organization's track record indicate it has the
ability to manage the funding well?
2. Project Proposal
A Project Proposal is essentially a business plan that provides a
full description of the project. Any changes from
the description provided in the Expression of Interest must be highlighted.
Successful applicants will be given sufficient time to submit detailed
project proposals. A deadline for project proposals will be provided
in the Expression of Interest approval letter.
Project Proposals are reviewed by the Fund's Board
of Directors and they decide which proposals will receive funding.
Project Proposals are screened using the following criteria:
A. Is the applicant a legal entity?
B. Is the requested grant no more than 75% of the total cost?
C. Is the funding requested incremental?
D. Will all work be completed by September 30, 2011?
E. Goals and objectives:
- What is the vision, goals and objectives of the applicant?
- Does the project relate to any long range plans for the
community?
- Does the project provide innovative or new opportunities
for people in the community?
- What is the relevance of the proposal to the vision and
desired outcomes of the Fund?
- How does the proposal address achieving one or more of the
desired outcomes?
F. Participating organizations and governance:
- Does the project involve other community organizations,
government departments or agencies, municipalities, First Nations
and Métis communities, federal agencies, health or educational
entities?
- Does the proposal have a framework for decision-making and
managing the project?
- Does the proposal's processes encourage the involvement
of participating organizations, as well as the recruitment
of new participants?
- What is the level of commitment of participating organizations
in terms of time and resources?
G. Activities, deliverables and outcomes:
- Does the proposal describe the applicant's activities, outputs
and deliverables over the life of the project?
- What are the short, medium and long-term outcomes of the
project and any other work that will be completed during the
life of the project?
- What level of collaboration is there with participating
organizations and other expertise that will help to implement
and complete the project?
- How will progress be measured and results reported?
- What are the impacts of the project's activities?
- Are the results transferable to other locations?
- What are the strengths and expertise of the applicant organization?
How do these relate to the Fund's vision and desired outcomes?
H. Administration and finances:
- Does the project leverage at least 25% of the project's costs
from other sources?
- What is the breakdown of cash and in-kind contributions?
- What is the financial plan for the project?
- Does the proposal have clear and well-developed budget allocations?
- What is the organizational capacity of the applicant? This
should include descriptions of staffing, office facilities
and technological and project management capabilities.
- What tools and approaches will be used for financial planning
and reporting?
