Northern Youth Cultural Fund

The objectives of the Northern Youth Cultural Fund are to support initiatives that:

• connect children and youth to unique, life-changing artistic and cultural experiences in their communities;
• provide all children and youth with the opportunity to participate in creative activities regardless of economic barriers they may face;
• provide financial support so all kids have an opportunity to participate in creative activities like drama, art, dance, culture, and music; and
• support cultural programming that is critical to a healthy, vibrant community.

Applicants can apply for up to 100% of eligible project expenses, to a maximum of $5,000.

Priority will be given to:

• the equitable distribution of funds across the Northern District;
• projects and organizations not already funded significantly by other Sask Lotteries-supported grant programs; and
• projects with a focus on implementing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action or other Reconciliation efforts. The TRC Calls to Action can be found at: http://trc.ca/assets/pdf/Calls_to_Action_English2.pdf

Eligible applicants include:

• Registered non-profit organizations in Saskatchewan, which includes Métis Locals/Regions. The applicant must be in existence as a registered non-profit for at least one full fiscal year; and have a primarily cultural mandate in Arts, Heritage, Multiculturalism or Cultural Industries as defined by SaskCulture’s Cultural Policy, or otherwise demonstrate significant engagement in cultural activity.

OR

• First Nations, Tribal Councils or Municipalities, located within the Northern Sport, Culture and Recreation District, and be in good standing with the Sask Lotteries Community Grant Program.

OR

• Schools, Libraries, or Friendship Centres located within the Northern Sport, Culture and Recreation District.

All activities must take place within the established boundary of the Northern Sport, Culture and Recreation District and be for children and youth located in that district (see district map below).

Ineligible Applicants include:

• Organizations that have received any SaskCulture or significant Sask Lotteries-funding in the last year;
• Districts for Sport, Culture and Recreation;
• Organizations receiving Annual Global Funding:
• Individuals;
• Organization with outstanding grant follow-up reports due to SaskCulture.

Initiatives must directly address the objectives and priorities of this funding program.

• All funds are to be used for the benefit of cultural development in Saskatchewan and for residents in the province.
• Funds are intended to support cultural, artistic, or creative interactive projects / programs for children and youth up to age 19 who have financial barriers to cultural, creative, or artistic participation.
• Programming must take place outside of the regular school curriculum and hours.
• Most part of the planned Project activity/ Programming must take place outside of the regular school curriculum and hours. In addition, programming must take place within the northern district unless approved by the administrator.
• Eligible projects must start no sooner than four (4) weeks after the application deadline and must end within twelve (12) months of the project start date. Projects that commence sooner than 4 weeks after the deadline will not be considered.
• Retroactive project funding is not eligible.

Eligible activities include:

• Arts / Creative Activities – drawing, sculpture, photography, filmmaking, pottery, creative writing, painting, board game design, video game creation, fashion design, music recording / production, printmaking, etc.
• Heritage – heritage activities, Indigenous traditional arts, language lessons (except French or English), genealogy, archaeology, regalia making, land-based traditional education, etc.
• Dance – hip hop, modern, jigging, tap, salsa, jazz, ballet, powwow, hoop, etc.
• Drama / Theatre – acting, theatre workshops, improv, playwriting, etc.
• Music – piano, drums, choir (except school choirs), guitar, singing, band instruments, bass, banjo, etc.
• Camps – culture camps, band camp, bluegrass camp, drama / theatre camps, circus camps, art camps, museum camps, girls rock camp, etc. (Camp must provide children with quality art, music, drama, dance, heritage or cultural activities.

Projects that are submitted that do not meet the eligibility requirements will not be reviewed. Please consult with Northern Sport, Culture and Recreation District for options.

Application process

• Completed applications received in full and on time will be adjudicated by volunteer peer assessors approved by SaskCulture Inc. and will include representatives from northern communities of Saskatchewan.
• Applicants will be notified regarding the success of their application within approximately 4 weeks of the application deadline.
• Funding decisions are final and will not be revisited or appealed.
• Funds can only be used for the eligible activities outlined in your application. Significant changes to the use of funds must be approved by NSCRD. Funds cannot be transferred to other activities or organizations and unused funds must be returned to SaskCulture.
• If approved, you are required to retain all supporting receipts; the Follow-Up Report form is immediately available online and should be referred to at the beginning of the project as statistical information will need to be gathered during the project.
• Successful applicants shall receive 100% of their total grant allocation upon grant approval.

Eligible Expenses for the Northern Youth Cultural Fund

Funds can be used to cover costs associated with operating a cultural, creative, or artistic program, including:

• Expenses directly tied to holding cultural activity or activities for children and youth up to 19;
• Honorariums / Fees for Elders / Traditional Knowledge Keepers / Cultural Workers / Facilitators;
• Travel and accommodations for facilitators and participants;
• Facility and equipment rentals;
• Supplies and materials needed to complete the activity;
• A Healthy nutrition break;
• Insurance (special event insurance);
• Evaluation costs; and/or
• Advertising and promotional costs

All expenses must fall within the indicated start and end date of the grant. Expenses incurred before or after the grant period will not be eligible.

The following items are ineligible for NYCF funds:

• Any activity primarily based on fitness, sport, recreation, science, or religion is generally not eligible;
• Programming/projects taking place during regular school hours;
• Fitness and physical activity – Zumba, yoga, gymnastics, baton twirling, cheerleading, or sports;
• 4-H, Boy Scouts, Girl Guides, summer camps (except artistic and cultural camps);
• Lego-based activities and camps;
• Youth leadership conferences ;
• Science and engineering-based activities;
• Programming, web development and coding;
• Leadership camps and bible camps;
• Art therapy;
• French or English classes;
• Fees for choir trips, band trips and school band fees;
• Activities that promote definable religious or political viewpoints; and/or
• Activities that focus on technical skills like woodworking, sewing, or cooking unless artistic or cultural aspects are the main focus.

Ineligible expenses include:

• Operating costs, salaries, and related expenses of existing staff of the applicant organization(s);
• Capital expenses, such as construction, renovations or repairs or purchase of major equipment such as computers, video camcorders, power tools, etc.;
• Performative or passive entertainment that does not include an exchange of cultural knowledge or awareness;
• Cash prizes, gifts, medals, trophies, or charitable donations
• The purchase of alcohol;
• Sponsorships, fundraisers or award ceremonies;
• Activity that exclusively promotes definable religious or political viewpoints;
• Contributions of volunteer hours;
• Food or food-related costs are generally ineligible. However, up to 20% of the grant may be used for nutrition if these costs can be directly attributed to the cultural activity;
• Allowances, wages or personal expenses for program registrants and participants;
• Out-of-province travel expenses for initiative participants to attend competitions, festivals, award ceremonies, etc.;
• Contracts with out-of-province cultural workers (unless there is no one in Saskatchewan providing that service);
• Retroactive program funding;
• Salaries and expenses of existing staff of the applicant organization – except when they are hired to perform the duties of a cultural worker;
• Office and administration fees including utilities, rent and/or rental of an applicant organization’s facilities; and,
• In-kind contributions (donations for food, goods, services, equipment, waiving rental fees, etc.) do not replace eligible expenses.
• Volunteer hours as a budget expense.

Contact the Northern District for Sport, Culture and Recreation if there is any uncertainty on what is eligible and ineligible.

Applications must be submitted via the Online Grant Platform (OGP) by the deadline.

• SaskCulture will review applications to confirm basic eligibility requirements have been met. If a submission is ineligible, the applicant will be notified.
• Completed applications received in full and on time will be reviewed by volunteer peer assessors who will include representatives from northern communities of Saskatchewan. The volunteer peer assessors will adjudicate applications based on the following criteria:
  • Is there evidence of the ability of the organization to carry out the project and deliver quality programs and services?
  • Does the project provides quality cultural, artistic, or creative interactive activities for children and youth up to age 19 in northern Saskatchewan?
  • Is there evidence and qualifications of the key cultural leaders
  • To what extent is the activity responsive to a community-identified need?
  • Is the submission a realistic and responsible use of resources (funds, volunteers, etc.)?
• Returning or otherwise annual projects funded by SaskCulture may have their most recent project Follow-Up Report provided to assessors as part of the assessment process.
• Applicants can expect to be informed of funding results within four (4) weeks of the application deadline. Dissatisfaction with the results of a grant assessment, either with the denial of the grant or with the amount of funding awarded, does not constitute valid grounds for appeal.
• Successful applicants receive 100% of their total grant allocation upon grant approval

Once your organization has been approved for a grant, applicants will:

• Use the funds for the eligible activities outlined in their application. Any changes to the use of funds must be approved by the NYCF Consultant. Approved Funds cannot be transferred to other activities or organizations and unused funds must be returned to SaskCulture.
• Be required to retain all supporting receipts. All first-time grant recipients will be required to submit receipts. Other grant recipients will only submit receipts if requested to do so by the Outreach Consultant. Failure to submit receipts may affect the approved grant amount. For example, partial or no final payment, or a grant return of the first payment may be required;
• Have access to the Follow-up Report form on the Online Grant Platform, following the automatic system notification of approved funding;
• Be required to submit a Follow-up Report within 45 days of the completion of the project. This report must detail the activities of the project and indicate how it met the goals of the funding program;
• Refer to the Follow-up Report Form at the beginning of the project, as statistical information will need to be gathered during the project. The grant recipient may want to use the budget tool regularly as a project management tool;
• Use the funds for the funded project within 12 months of the project’s start date.
• Recognize Sask Lotteries as the funder in all relevant promotions and event opportunities, as well as highlighting SaskCulture’s funding program and the NSCRD, to help build awareness of the program.

Example:

YOUR ORGANIZATION NAME received financial assistance from Sask Lotteries, thanks to a SaskCulture program.

Logos and promotional materials, along with how-to guides, are available at Using Logos.

Failure to meet the above funding obligations to the satisfaction of SaskCulture will be grounds to withhold the final payment if applicable, and will restrict access to future funding.

You will receive correspondence stating that your application has been denied funding for this particular funding program. While all decisions, made by volunteer Peer Assessors, are final, this news should not deter you from applying for future funding opportunities.

• Review the funding program criteria and determine how your application might better address the priorities. If your project’s objectives do not line up with the criteria of the funding program, take the opportunity to explore other options.
• Check your project budget and ensure that your costs are realistic based on your intended outcomes.
• Contact the Consultant to discuss ideas and/or changes needed for success. If the Consultant feels your project still has potential, adjust your application and try again at a different deadline or for a different fund.