REALIZING POTENTIAL

Of economically disadvantaged children, youth and families

Grants are awarded to eligible organizations that demonstrate their potential to positively impact the lives of economically disadvantaged children, youth and families by helping them realize their potential in the areas of academic success, health, housing and economic security.

The more compelling the connection between what an Applicant expects to achieve through its request and our Donors’ priorities as described here, the stronger the case for support.

ACADEMIC SUCCESS

Education has the power to unlock many doors. Our Donors believe a successful education begins with healthy development and the avoidance of toxic stress in early childhood. It includes school readiness, access to print materials and enrichment activities as well as social and emotional health, grade-level reading, attendance, core competencies, high school graduation and other strategies that drive to successful post-secondary education completion. Access to quality education and out-of-school learning opportunities are critical.

HEALTH

Overall wellness includes positive mental and physical health. Health includes dental health, sexual health and initiatives designed to change patterns of high-risk behaviours. It also includes the provision of psychological counselling and the treatment of addiction. Positive health promotion includes good nutrition and physical activity (sport, recreation, play and outdoor adventure). Subsidized access to enrichment opportunities that promote health is crucial in leveling the playing field for low-income children, youth and families. Our Donors believe good health is a vital part of everyone’s path toward economic self-sufficiency.

STABLE HOUSING

People need housing to reach their full potential. Parents who are stably housed are more likely to be employed and better able to care for their children. Children who are stably housed are more likely to do well in school. Our Donors believe in a housing continuum, from prevention of homelessness to home ownership, and are interested in those programs that build the capacity of residents to maintain stability.

ECONOMIC SECURITY

Achieving economic self-sufficiency is not always easy. Youth and parents who seek employment may face many barriers. Our Donors believe every step on the ladder – from pre-employment programs to job skills training to credentials and placement to asset building – lead to a more successful future. When people have enough money to pay their bills (without government subsidy or support) and save for a brighter future, they have reached economic security.

Eligible Target Populations

Our Donors define economic self-sufficiency as the point at which a youth or parent can consistently cover his or her basic costs of living without government subsidy or financial aid. Within the US, the benchmark for economic self-sufficiency is 300% of FPL or the approximate equivalent of 110% of average state-wide Median Household Income. In Canada, the benchmark is 200% of LICO or MBM for a given location. Under extraordinary circumstances, an applicant can articulate another relevant measure to verify the target population being served has yet to attain economic self-sufficiency.
- Applicants should articulate the process by which income is verified.
- Applicants should be able to verify at least 80% of those served have not yet attained economic self-sufficiency
- Savings and assets are encouraged. Populations only become ineligible when savings and assets exceed the equivalent of three months of income at the FPL/LICO thresholds noted above.
- In special circumstances, when a higher income threshold is appropriate, or an alternate measure is being used, applicants should provide a clear rationale for doing so.
Children are 17 years or younger.
Youth are 18 to 30 years of age.
Parents are the person or persons actively caring for a child or children, which can include guardians, custodians, foster parents and others not related to the child.
Families are one or two parents or guardians with dependent children age 18 and younger; pregnant mothers; and, when family reunification is a focus, parents who have lost custody of their children.
Efforts designed to benefit a universal audience or target population other than listed here are not eligible for Donor support.