Grants to our community:
Disability Supports for Employment Fund
Purpose
Disability Supports for Employment Fund (DSEF) grants are available to assist eligible organizations throughout BC who are working to increase employment opportunities and the overall rate of employment for persons with disabilities in their communities. DSEF considers "employment" to mean the full participation of people with disabilities as employees, and/or those activities which may result in employment for them. They include:
- Full or part-time employment
- Social enterprise
- Entrepreneurial ventures
- Internships
- Volunteer development opportunities
- Self-employment
- Alternate work arrangements (such as the provision of job coaching support)
- Innovative models for work-related assistive devices
- Other initiatives that fit this definition
Applications are considered from organizations working with individuals who have physical and/or mental disabilities and face barriers to employment.
The Types of Projects We Support
In general, Vancouver Foundation supports growth and innovation through project-based grants for new initiatives. (See here for a full description.) Through the Disability Supports for Employment Fund, we support community solutions that will provide meaningful employment opportunities and assist people to maintain and enhance their career or entrepreneurship path, such as:
- initiatives that will increase the sustainability and organizational capacity of organizations that provide employment programming and related supports to persons with disabilities
- innovative approaches that have the potential to create systemic change in the provision of disability supports that enhance employability of persons with disabilities
- initiatives that encourage organizational learning and community outreach on employment for persons with disabilities
- projects that promote social and economic independence
Projects must demonstrate that they do not duplicate or replicate existing government-funded programs, supports and services for persons with disabilities. Applications which demonstrate collaborations or partnerships are encouraged.
Typical Grant Amounts
Vancouver Foundation usually funds no more than 50% of the budget for a proposal. Both cash contributions and in-kind donations of services or goods are considered valid matching components. Generally, grant sizes are based on grant amounts for past proposals of a similar nature, the size of the total proposed budget, availability of funds and the importance of the proposal relative to the priorities described in this document.
Eligibility
Vancouver Foundation's general eligibility guidelines apply.
How to Apply
Vancouver Foundation has a two-stage application process. The first stage is a Letter of Intent, which is a brief proposal assessed against the priorities and criteria of the Field of Interest you selected. If your proposal aligns well with the Field of Interest, then the second stage is to submit a full grant application upon request. A full description of the process can be found here.
Advisory Committee
Vancouver Foundation works with Advisory Committees to assess applications and to make funding recommendations. Advisory Committee members bring relevant expertise in the field of disability, both professionally and personally, from across British Columbia and generously volunteer their time and energy to help shape our work and to ensure that we remain in touch with the communities we serve. Lists of Advisory Committee members can be found here.
Vancouver Foundation Contacts
Lynn D'arcy
Coordinator
Tel: 604.688.2204
lynn.darcy@vancouverfoundation.ca
Nicole MacLellan
Manager
Tel: 604.688.2204
nicole.maclellan@vancouverfoundation.ca
Andria Teather
Vice President, Grants & Community Initiatives
Tel: 604.688.2204
andria.teather@vancouverfoundation.ca
Upcoming deadlines
Spring 2012 Deadlines
Letters of Intent:
January 27Applications: March 16
Final Decision: mid June
Fall 2012 Deadlines
Letters of Intent: July 27
Applications: September 14
Final Decision:
mid Decemberto apply
Revew the application process and then submit a letter of intent online.
