ACCESS PROPOSAL APPLICATION GUIDELINES

Project Sponsor Criteria

Project Sponsor refers to a group or organization that submitted the project proposal, has received the funds, and is managing the program.
Funding criteria for service providers of group employment and training initiatives is as follows:

• The training or employment project must meet the client criteria of the Contribution Agreement (urban/off-reserve Aboriginal people residing in the Greater Vancouver area).
• The project must be employment-related or develop identified priority skills (supported by adequate research).
• The project must not duplicate any current related programs and services.
• The project must be based and conducted in the Greater Vancouver region.
• The project must be cost effective and should be innovative, (i.e. numbers of participants are flexible but the service provider MUST justify and be prepared to verify economic cost effectiveness to ACCESS (i.e., cost per participant).
• The sponsor must have a successful track record in the proposed program or project.
• The sponsor group must:

• Be an urban Aboriginal organization in Greater Vancouver region
• Be incorporated for at least one year
• Have a fully operational office in the Greater Vancouver region
• Provide adequate and appropriate financial statements using generally accepted accounting principles
• Provide reference letters
• And be willing and capable of entering into a contract.

Proposal Intake Procedures

Step One: It is highly recommended that PRIOR to the development of a complete proposal that potential coordinators/project sponsors follow these preliminary steps:

• Contact ACCESS to request an updated information package with program descriptions and to determine if funding is currently available
• Meet with ACCESS to determine suitability of proposed project
• And submit a 2 - page summary of the proposed project for initial review and comments
• Once the summary has been reviewed, contact ACCESS for feedback

Step Two: The proposal and feedback is forwarded to the ACCESS Internal Review Committee.

Step Three: The applicant is informed of the results of the internal review process and is one of the following:

• Proposal accepted subject to due diligence by ACCESS
• Proposal accepted conditionally upon implementation of recommended   revisions and due diligence by ACCESS
• Proposal rejected

Funding Amounts

The type and amount of funding available for programs is determined by ACCESS annual and long-term operating plan. Interested project sponsors/coordinators are encouraged to call for information.

Time-Frame

All projects must be reviewed and assessed for each incoming proposal.

Proposal Review Criteria

All applications and proposals must be designed to lead to the following: 

• To an employable, or more employable, urban Aboriginal individual
• To long-term employment that enables self-sufficiency
• Savings to EI, and social service federal programs are a desired by-product of these goals
• Further education or training for clients with disabilities, extensive employment barriers or for those who have been long-term unemployed

In order to develop a productive urban Aboriginal labour force, ACCESS requires that all training programs be fully detailed and contain the following mandatory elements:

I. History of the Organization

• Organization’s mission, vision statement, goals
• Organizational chart
• List of board members

II. Project Summary

• A two-page summary of the project including the amount requested and from which program

III. Project Goals and Objectives

• Overall goals of the project outlining measurable end results
• Objectives with measurable results that will lead to the achievement of the goal

IV. Partners Involved

• Name, address, contact person, telephone number of each partner and amount of contributions (in-kind and financial amount

V. Project Activities

• Description of project activities
• Recruitment process of clients (staff and participants)
• Outline of curriculum with course descriptions
• Weekly breakdown of activities
• Time-frame
• Job descriptions
• Biographies/resumes of key personnel should be submitted for approved projects

VI. Expected Project Outcomes

• Based on goals and objectives of the project

VII. Evaluation Plan

Monitoring process for project and participants
Evaluation process for project and participants (to determine success)

VIII. Budget

• Complete breakdown of costs of the project (itemized budget) in MS Excel spreadsheet format
• Monthly cash flow statement in MS Excel spreadsheet format

IX. Attachments

• Incorporation Papers

• Annual Report
• Letters of Support or Reference Letters
• Board motion approving project – motion mover, seconder, date of Board Meeting

Assessment Criteria Guidelines

In order to meet the employment and training needs of the urban Aboriginal community within the Metro Vancouver area, ACCESS utilizes the following criteria to rate all proposals. The rating system will ensure an equitable process is in place whereby funds are distributed based on the merits of the project.

Proposals are assessed according to the following general program criteria guidelines:

• The proposal is complete and it include objectives, detailed training plan, budget, identified personnel with qualifications and job descriptions, organizational history, and an evaluation process
• The proposal meets the employment and training needs of both the Aboriginal community and the participants
• The proposal does not duplicates services already available in the Greater Vancouver regional Aboriginal community
• The organization owned is operated by Aboriginal people, and incorporated for at least one (1) year
• The project leads to direct employment opportunities or advanced training for participants upon completion of project/training
• The organization has the capacity to provide adequate financial and managerial accountability
• The application is cost effective.  It will be worthwhile to spend the funds asked for, considering what will be provided (costs vs. benefits)
• The program meets local labour market priorities and the interests of priority target groups
• The activities and curriculum enable the trainees to enter into the labour market.  There is a match with demand and supply
• The proposal encourages cost sharing with other agencies or organizations
• The community supports the proposal
• The proposal encourages long-term employment and reduction of dependency on income support programs
• The proposal contains Aboriginal specific content (i.e. cultural)
• The undertaking of this project has a positive effect on the stabilizing and/or development of the community and its people
• There is a positive track record of the individuals and coordinators involved in the project
• The applicant has researched information and data on labour market priorities and needs and has included this in the proposal application

Priorities

Priority will be given to applications that clearly demonstrate:

• Actual employment or self employment upon project completion
• Entrepreneurial-based projects that provide knowledge and resources for the establishment and operation of a small business
• Partnerships
• Relevance to community and target market needs and priorities
• Skills relevant to the local job market
• A contribution to economic development and capacity building
• Co-operative activities and apprenticeships
• Real work experience and first-hand knowledge of the skills required to succeed
• Provision of relevant levels of computer training
• Provision of intermediate to advanced skills in emerging markets (examples: communications and technology)

ACCESS target group priorities for 2011-2012 Fiscal Year include the following:

• Women
• Youth
• Persons with Disabilities
• Older Workers
• Unemployed Young Parents

Past Performance

Where applicable, applicants submitting proposals will be rated on past performance with employment and training program requirements and outcomes including:

• Timely submission of claim forms, participant information forms and other reports
• Responsible financial procedures and accounting practices
• Completion of participant follow-ups
• Positive and measurable outcomes (examples: employment or advanced training placements).

Projects Not Eligible

• Projects not related to employment and training
• Projects that are a duplication of existing services or funding

• Projects proposed by groups not located within Metro Vancouver and/or which do not serve the urban Aboriginal population of the region.

Revisions to Proposals/Applications

ACCESS staff will prepare a detailed assessment worksheet for every application received.  Recommendations for changes to an application may be made to an applicant following or during the assessment.  Applicants are to be consulted and given the opportunity to amend an application to fit eligible program criteria, or to withdraw an application.
Where proposals exceed funding available, proposals may be rejected or deferred pending requested changes. Where an application relates to an area of professional or technical expertise, ACCESS staff will consult with relevant agencies or professionals to ensure a fair and informed proposal assessment.

Legal Requirements

• Successful applicants must agree to undertake criminal record searches for facilitators, staff and contractors upon request, or as otherwise necessitated by the nature of the project (e.g. involving children).