Eligibility Requirements and Evaluation Criteria: Charities

Eligibility requirements: Charities

Your organization must be located in Edmonton.
Your organization must be a registered not-for-profit or charitable organization.
Your initiative must take place prior to December 31, 2022.
Your organization must have a strong focus on helping vulnerable populations that have been highly impacted by the pandemic recover in one or more of the following areas: food, shelter, mental health, substance abuse, family violence, job retraining or return to work.
If you received Heart + Soul funding last year, you are eligible to apply again for the same or a different initiative.
Preference will be given to organizations that have seen revenue decline or financial hardship as a result of COVID-19.
You must submit a separate application for each eligible initiative you would like us to consider. A maximum of one grant will be awarded to each organization.

Evaluation criteria

All applications will be reviewed for completeness and alignment with the program objectives and core criteria. Applications should meet at least three core criteria. Applications meeting more criteria will rank higher during evaluation.

Fundraiser effectiveness

Will the fundraising initiative have a significant impact on the organization's ability to deliver programs? For example, how much money does the organization anticipate raising? What does this translate to in terms of the support the organization delivers? i.e. number of meals served, number of people accessing programs?

Alignment with community needs
Does your organization have a strong focus on one or more of the following areas: food, shelter, mental health, substance abuse, family violence, job retraining or return to work support for vulnerable people who have lost their jobs during the pandemic?

COVID-19 impact

Will the funds raised counter the impacts of COVID-19 on the organizations' programming? For instance, costs to address COVID-19 requirements and personal protective equipment, or costs related to an increased need for services by community members hardest hit by the pandemic.

Community voices

Will the funds raised benefit members of marginalized groups or those disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, such as: women, newcomers, impoverished people, Indigenous people, people of colour, LGBTQ2+ people, or people with disabilities, etc?

Financial sustainability

Will the funds raised be used to help keep an organization operating? For instance, funding will allow an organization to adapt programming or introduce a new offering that produces new revenue.

Rebuilding sector jobs

Will the funds raised help keep people employed or return to work? For example, the fundraising initiative will help support program development and delivery which will employ staff through the remainder of 2022.

Partner leverage

Will the funds support a project that could unlock funding from other partner organizations to amplify impact? For instance, funding will be supplemented or supported by other businesses or organizations.

Reach

Will the funding help attract an audience or political profile to the initiative? For instance, you anticipate City or Provincial involvement in the initiative and a significance audience to participate.

Ready to implement

Will the funds be used to support the launch of an existing or ready to launch program? For instance, the organization/group has an idea fully developed and ready to launch before the end of December 2022.

Brand recognition

Does the opportunity provide brand recognition for EPCOR or profile opportunities for EPCOR leadership? For instance, sponsor recognition benefits are available or speaking opportunities exist for EPCOR leaders.