1) Who can apply for funding from the NWT On The Land Collaborative?
We accept applications for support from communities, individuals, and organizations, including municipalities, schools, non-profit organizations, and Indigenous organizations.
We do not accept applications from:
Applications received from individuals should have a letter of support from an organization that can serve as the administrative host for the grant.
2) What are the criteria for applying for funding?
The Collaborative is committed to respecting local expertise and supporting projects that meet local priorities and goals. To this end, we have deliberately kept our criteria broad, placing few limitations on eligible projects or the application process. We want you to be able to create and implement projects that make sense for you.
When making funding decisions, the Collaborative prioritizes projects that:
Applications should demonstrate how your project meets these objectives.
3) What do you mean when you say “on the land”?
The Collaborative was created to support initiatives that get people out on the land. In general, we understand “on the land” to mean that the proposed activities are taking place at a location away from the community, and, ideally, remote from the community.
We recognize that in some instances it is not possible for organizations to deliver programming beyond municipal limits for reasons of safety, group type, etc. For example, 2016 grant recipient Mental Health Support Services had to deliver their programming close to Yellowknife in case clients needed to access supports such as the hospital. We work to understand “on the land” in the context of the applicant and the people they are serving. If you are proposing a project within municipal limits, we ask that you provide additional information explaining the choice of location.
Regardless of the location, a significant portion of your project should involve participants spending time outside. That said, spending time on the land is about more than being outside or hosting activities that could otherwise take place in a board room in a wall tent or teepee. The Collaborative endeavours to support projects in which the land is a participant, not merely a backdrop.
Please visit the Stories tab to see examples of projects that we have supported in the past.
4) What do you mean when you say "enhance community capacity"?
The project should create opportunities for local people, organizations, communities, and/or regions to develop or enhance knowledge and skills that help them shape and exercise control over their physical, social, economic, and/or cultural environments.
5) If the minimum funding request is $1000 and there is no maximum, what would be an appropriate amount to request?
The Collaborative understands that there are many different kinds of projects and programming ideas in the NWT to get people out on the land. We want to hear about all of them and don’t want cost to be a limiting factor. Each project is reviewed on a case-by-case basis. If we aren’t able to provide financial support, we will still work with you to identify other sources of funding or other resources to reduce your costs.
All this being said, the Collaborative has a finite amount of money to distribute (in 2018, we gave out 1 million dollars in grants) and we do our best to fund as much projects as possible. To date, the largest grant that we have issued was $85,000.
6) How can a small project compete with the large projects?
Each application is looked at individually. A good project, no matter how small, will receive our support. The Collaborative has funded a number of smaller projects over the last three years, including a nature club in Hay River, a canoe trip in Tsiigehtchic, an ice-fishing program in Whatì, and trail maintenance activities in Fort Smith.
7) Can I apply to the Collaborative for more than one project?
Yes, you can apply for more than one project.
8) If I have received funding from the Collaborative in the past, can I apply again?
Yes. The Collaborative encourages and promotes the long term sustainability of projects. As long as your reporting requirements are in good standing, you can apply again.
9) Does the Collaborative just provide money? Are there other kinds of resources available?
The Collaborative can help approved projects access other items (e.g. equipment, tools), infrastructure, training (e.g. wilderness first aid, canoeing safety), or resources (e.g. safety plans, waivers) needed to make programs successful. Please indicate on your application what additional resources you need.
We also do our best to assist projects that are not approved by connecting them with other sources of funding or support.
10) What happens if funds are not available until after the project has started?
If your project is approved and it starts or ends before you receive your funding, you can use it retroactively. However, the funds must be used as described in the application and you must provide adequate documentation. We have a simple reporting template for you to use. We ask that you keep receipts.
11) What if I have funds left over after the project is complete?
We understand that sometimes projects have to change because of extenuating circumstances. If you find yourself in this situation, contact the Collaborative Administrator. They will work with you to come up with an appropriate solution.
12) What if I have to change something about my project, such as the dates or location or program of activities?
We understand that circumstances change and that in these situations programs may have to change as well. We appreciate you keeping us apprised of how your project is evolving. We are committed to working with grant recipients through these changes in order to ensure that you are able to deliver programming that are feasible and relevant to your needs.
Even as we are committed to flexibility and continued support for grant recipients, the Collaborative has a responsibility to our Funding Partners, without whom the Collaborative would not exist. If your project requires significant changes, the Funding Partners need to review the new proposal.
13) What is the deadline for reporting?
The Collaborative does not use the same reporting deadline as the government (March 31). Each approved applicant has a personalized reporting deadline based on the start and end dates of the project. Your reporting deadline can be found in the Grant Agreement, which you will receive after you are approved for funding.
14) Where do the Collaborative funds come from?
The Collaborative is comprised of multiple Partners, including governments (Indigenous, territorial, and federal), charitable and non-profit organizations, and industrial corporations. Funding Partners contribute funds, expertise, resources, and/or in-kind support to be able to offer this program to you. Visit Who We Are to learn more about the people and organizations that are a part of the NWT On the Land Collaborative.
We accept applications for support from communities, individuals, and organizations, including municipalities, schools, non-profit organizations, and Indigenous organizations.
We do not accept applications from:
- For-profit initiatives or projects that are for personal gain;
- Organizations from outside the NWT;
- Political or partisan initiatives; or
- Federal or territorial governments.
Applications received from individuals should have a letter of support from an organization that can serve as the administrative host for the grant.
2) What are the criteria for applying for funding?
The Collaborative is committed to respecting local expertise and supporting projects that meet local priorities and goals. To this end, we have deliberately kept our criteria broad, placing few limitations on eligible projects or the application process. We want you to be able to create and implement projects that make sense for you.
When making funding decisions, the Collaborative prioritizes projects that:
- Get people out on the land;
- Connect community members to their territories, cultures, languages, and traditions;
- Build or strengthen partnerships;
- Enhance community capacity; and
- Are sustainable.
Applications should demonstrate how your project meets these objectives.
3) What do you mean when you say “on the land”?
The Collaborative was created to support initiatives that get people out on the land. In general, we understand “on the land” to mean that the proposed activities are taking place at a location away from the community, and, ideally, remote from the community.
We recognize that in some instances it is not possible for organizations to deliver programming beyond municipal limits for reasons of safety, group type, etc. For example, 2016 grant recipient Mental Health Support Services had to deliver their programming close to Yellowknife in case clients needed to access supports such as the hospital. We work to understand “on the land” in the context of the applicant and the people they are serving. If you are proposing a project within municipal limits, we ask that you provide additional information explaining the choice of location.
Regardless of the location, a significant portion of your project should involve participants spending time outside. That said, spending time on the land is about more than being outside or hosting activities that could otherwise take place in a board room in a wall tent or teepee. The Collaborative endeavours to support projects in which the land is a participant, not merely a backdrop.
Please visit the Stories tab to see examples of projects that we have supported in the past.
4) What do you mean when you say "enhance community capacity"?
The project should create opportunities for local people, organizations, communities, and/or regions to develop or enhance knowledge and skills that help them shape and exercise control over their physical, social, economic, and/or cultural environments.
5) If the minimum funding request is $1000 and there is no maximum, what would be an appropriate amount to request?
The Collaborative understands that there are many different kinds of projects and programming ideas in the NWT to get people out on the land. We want to hear about all of them and don’t want cost to be a limiting factor. Each project is reviewed on a case-by-case basis. If we aren’t able to provide financial support, we will still work with you to identify other sources of funding or other resources to reduce your costs.
All this being said, the Collaborative has a finite amount of money to distribute (in 2018, we gave out 1 million dollars in grants) and we do our best to fund as much projects as possible. To date, the largest grant that we have issued was $85,000.
6) How can a small project compete with the large projects?
Each application is looked at individually. A good project, no matter how small, will receive our support. The Collaborative has funded a number of smaller projects over the last three years, including a nature club in Hay River, a canoe trip in Tsiigehtchic, an ice-fishing program in Whatì, and trail maintenance activities in Fort Smith.
7) Can I apply to the Collaborative for more than one project?
Yes, you can apply for more than one project.
8) If I have received funding from the Collaborative in the past, can I apply again?
Yes. The Collaborative encourages and promotes the long term sustainability of projects. As long as your reporting requirements are in good standing, you can apply again.
9) Does the Collaborative just provide money? Are there other kinds of resources available?
The Collaborative can help approved projects access other items (e.g. equipment, tools), infrastructure, training (e.g. wilderness first aid, canoeing safety), or resources (e.g. safety plans, waivers) needed to make programs successful. Please indicate on your application what additional resources you need.
We also do our best to assist projects that are not approved by connecting them with other sources of funding or support.
10) What happens if funds are not available until after the project has started?
If your project is approved and it starts or ends before you receive your funding, you can use it retroactively. However, the funds must be used as described in the application and you must provide adequate documentation. We have a simple reporting template for you to use. We ask that you keep receipts.
11) What if I have funds left over after the project is complete?
We understand that sometimes projects have to change because of extenuating circumstances. If you find yourself in this situation, contact the Collaborative Administrator. They will work with you to come up with an appropriate solution.
12) What if I have to change something about my project, such as the dates or location or program of activities?
We understand that circumstances change and that in these situations programs may have to change as well. We appreciate you keeping us apprised of how your project is evolving. We are committed to working with grant recipients through these changes in order to ensure that you are able to deliver programming that are feasible and relevant to your needs.
Even as we are committed to flexibility and continued support for grant recipients, the Collaborative has a responsibility to our Funding Partners, without whom the Collaborative would not exist. If your project requires significant changes, the Funding Partners need to review the new proposal.
13) What is the deadline for reporting?
The Collaborative does not use the same reporting deadline as the government (March 31). Each approved applicant has a personalized reporting deadline based on the start and end dates of the project. Your reporting deadline can be found in the Grant Agreement, which you will receive after you are approved for funding.
14) Where do the Collaborative funds come from?
The Collaborative is comprised of multiple Partners, including governments (Indigenous, territorial, and federal), charitable and non-profit organizations, and industrial corporations. Funding Partners contribute funds, expertise, resources, and/or in-kind support to be able to offer this program to you. Visit Who We Are to learn more about the people and organizations that are a part of the NWT On the Land Collaborative.