When are the deadlines for handing in grant applications?
There are two deadlines for receiving grant applications: October 1st and April 1st by midnight. If your event is taking place between October and March, you should have your application form in by the October deadline. If your event is taking place between April and September, you should have your application form in by the April deadline.
How do I apply for a grant?
Check out our GUIDELINES on the home page before you get started. You can click on the APPLY NOW button on the home page to fill out the application form.
Will you accept late grant applications?
Late applications will only be considered based on monies available and how many other grant applications were received. Late applications will be penalized a percentage off the requested monies before any other considerations are made.
When will I hear that my grant application has been accepted/rejected?
You should hear about whether or not you will be receiving a grant within 3 to 4 weeks after the grant deadline. You will receive an e-mail outlining the grant money that you will be receiving with a brief statement explaining why you received what you did. You will also hear back from us around the same time if you will not be receiving a grant. If your application form is incomplete or unacceptable, we will do our best to inform you in advance of the deadlines as to what you need to do to improve upon the application. However, we strongly encourage you to follow the guidelines as closely as possible and fill out the online form in its entirety.
How much money is available for grants each year?
Currently, the society makes available approximately $8000 to $16000 a year based upon the investment interest of the endowment.
How do I know if I am qualified to apply for a grant?
Applications can only be received by PAOC churches in the Thompson, Shuswap, Okanagan regions who have paid their membership fees.
What kind of activities will the society consider giving grants towards?
Our constitution states that we are committed to assisting member churches by facilitating camps, retreats, seminars, conferences, community outreach events, and short-term missions trips.
Are there certain activities that the society prioritizes?
Yes. We do prioritize events in the order that is mentioned in the constitution (camps, retreats, seminars, conferences, short-term mission Trips, Community Outreach Events), but other aspects are also considered, such as its inclusive intentions (is this community focused or in-house?), it’s geographic impact, the percentage of the grant funds requested in the total proposed budget (can only be up to 50% of the budget) , and whether or not there is a past history with the event (has the society given grants to this event before? Was a final report received after the last event that the society sponsored?)
How much can an individual application ask for in one grant period?
A member church or group of member churches can ask up to $5000 per event, although the Executive has discretionary rights to give rewards exceeding $5000 per event. By principle, grants are only to cover up to 50% of the event’s budget. For example, if the event’s overall budget is 10,000 dollars, the member church or group of member churches can ask for up to $5000, or 50% of the budget. However, if the event’s overall budget is 8,000 dollars, then asking for a 5000 dollar grant exceeds 50% of the budget. In this scenario, the application could only ask up to $4000 dollars.
Who is the grant committee?
The grant committee is selected by the society’s executive and includes sectional pastors, as well as members-at-large. The grant review committee made up of sectional pastors and members at large. The committee meets a week or so after each grant period deadline and submits their grant suggestions to the executive for approval.
What does a final report look like and when do I need to submit it?
Final reports are a way for the society to keep track of the impact of our grants. If a final report is not submitted, it may jeopardize future grants, by either the future grant not being accepted or the future grant losing a percentage of what was requested before other aspects are considered. A final report should include how the final budget played out, how successful the organizers found the event, and it may include testimonials or pictures of the event. Reports are often posted on the website as well.