OFNLP2008 Fund

The goal is to provide financial assistance for programming, services and events that are unique to the community or fulfill a need for the members of M’Chigeeng First Nation.

M’Chigeeng First Nation OFNLP2008 Fund supports self-reliance through projects, activities and initiatives that create, reinforce and sustain conditions conducive to Community Development, Economic Development, Cultural Development, Educational Development and Health Development.
Each year the OFNLP2008 will be dispersed by percentages, the present allocation will be:

Administration – 5%
Future Generation Fund – 15%
Disbursements – 80%

Criteria:
Grant priorities will be considered in the following areas:

• Projects, programming, services and events that strengthen quality of life for MFN Band Members.
• Projects that will be completed within the application year.
• Opportunities to leverage investments from other funding sources, at a maximum of 10%.
• Cultural Development.
• First time applicants.

The OFNLP2008 granting agreement criteria are intended to fund initiatives under the five general areas of Community Development, Economic Development, Cultural Development, Educational Development and Health Development.

Eligibility:
All non-profit M’Chigeeng First Nation programs, community groups and grassroots level projects, that provide a service(s) for the band members of the M’Chigeeng First Nation are eligible to apply.

Not Eligible:
M’Chigeeng First Nation will not consider grant inquires from recipients that are:

• Individuals (per capital distribution is prohibited)
• Loans
• Non-Band Members
• Applicants who have outstanding reports or obligations from previous OFNLP2008 fund will not be considered until all past/previous reports are accepted.

Grant Conditions:
M’Chigeeng First Nation will fund up to 80% of the grant amount requested by the applicant, to a maximum of $250,000 per year:

• All applicants must have a contribution of at least 10% of the requested amount from OFNLP2008 which can be covered by the applicant and/or its project partners in the form of additional cash and/or in-kind contributions of the requested grant amount.
• A recipient may receive a grant for more than one project in any given year, so long as the grant is providing different activities and there is no duplication of services associated with the project or MFN program.
• Infrastructure Projects must follow the National Construction Code (NCC) guidelines.
• Equipment purchases made by the applicant under this application will manage and maintain the asset as long as the group continues to operate. If the project has ended or uncompleted all equipment is to be returned to MFN to be dispersed to appropriate programs.

Note: Grants more than the maximum amount for any application will only be considered under exceptional circumstances. Exceptional circumstances are determined by the Chief and Council.
The purpose of the project must clearly demonstrate and/or identify and/or exhibit their goals and objectives, activities and/or initiatives in the application package along with a detailed work plan.

A project that has salaries must comply with all employment standards and regulations, including but not limited to Revenue Canada, Workers Safety Board and Insurance. The recipient is responsible for the management, continued management and shall assume all responsibilities for liabilities before, during and after the project is completed.

Decision-making Process Diagram:

Appeal Process:
Funding decisions may be appealed only on the grounds that the MFN Executive Management Audit Working Group did not follow the established review process consistently.

MFN Executive Management Audit Working Group cannot consider appeals based on the merits of appeal, simply because the applicant disagrees with the Group’s decision.

You must submit your appeal in writing to the Finance Manager of MFN within 10 days of the time you receive your letter of decision.
Clearly state the basis of the appeal. The contact person for the application must sign the letter of appeal. The Executive Management Audit Working Group will respond within ten days.

Chief and Council will make the final decision regarding the appeal.

Glossary of Terms:
Assets: items that are purchased by the project that have value for the program, ei Equipment, computers
Executive Management/Audit Working Group: A group of council that oversee the development and implementation of recommendations.
Grassroots: band members not affiliated with an organization, creating an idea or activity for band members
Infrastructure: The physical and organizational structures (ie. Buildings, roads, power supplies etc.) required to operate a community.
In-kind contribution: To provide contribution in a non-monetary form, a contribution of equipment, supplies, or it could be volunteering their time and/or donation.
Non-profit: To undertake or maintain services without intention of gaining profit.
Technical support: unitizing M’Chigeeng First Nation personnel to help with the application package
Volunteer: (noun) A person who voluntarily undertakes or expresses a willingness to undertake a service, or services without monetary consideration. (verb) To engage and undertake services within a group setting.

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT:
For clarity, please identify which one your project will be utilizing:

1. Applicant operates and manages their own financials.
2. Applicant works in partnership with MFN to manage their finances.

Applicants working in partnership with MFN to manage their finances will be required to follow MFN Financial Regulations Policy.

Technical support can be provided to assist applicants with completing the package.

DISBURSEMENTS:
For monitoring purposes, the recipient will maintain and provide the following to M’Chigeeng First Nation:

1. Verify bank account with current bank statement or indicate need for Financial Management.
2. Quarterly Progress Narrative and interim financial reports, depending on the duration of the project.
3. Updated Work Plan.
4. Proof of expenditures (ie. Receipts and invoices) and interim financial reports.

Payments to the recipient shall be distributed as follows:

1. 50% Advance — after Grant Agreement is signed;
2. 40% 2 nd Advance — after confirmation and receipt of a written preliminary report; and interim financial report;
3. 10% pending receipt and presentation of final written narrative, financial reports and completed Work Plan.
4. One-time payments will be considered under exceptional circumstances.

Please download the form and complete prior to submission, or use the form below.