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Frequently Asked Questions

How long can I get funding for?
Funding for projects is short term.  You can apply for one year of funding each time, and may receive funds for a maximum of three consecutive years.  You must reapply each year.  Receiving a grant this year does not guarantee you will be successful next year.

How will we report to Alberta Children and Youth Services?
If you are successful in receiving a grant, you will be required to be in contact with Youth Strategies Branch on a quarterly basis.  For the first and third quarter, an update e-mail or phone call is sufficient to let us know how you are doing.  At the mid-point and end of the grant, we will require you to provide updated Schedule B reports and report on the program itself.  You will be provided with a template for these reports.  You may be asked to provide an audited financial statement for the program as well.

What can we use the money for?
It is best to allocate the funds to client costs related to the program and/or salaries for staff that will be running the program. We will review your Schedule B to ensure that all monies will be going to fund the specific program in question, not to the entire organization.  Our grant criteria states that we will NOT fund ongoing or operational operating costs, major capital costs, purchase of personal items, or debt reduction. 

I have received funding for this program for three years.  Can I reapply?
Criteria states that funding is to a maximum of three years.  In order to give other organizations a chance to run new programs, reapplying after three years is discouraged.

What if we don’t spend all of the money we are given?
At the end of the cycle, any surplus funds will have to be returned to the Minister of Finance by cheque. 

When will we hear if our application was successful?
The selection process involves many people and stages, as well as administrative tasks.  After the Selection Committees have made their recommendations, the listing is sent up to the Minister for approval.  If you are successful and have been approved for the 1st Quarter, you should expect to be notified by May, with your funds arriving in June.  If you were approved, but your application needed more work or you were recommended for a lower amount, your grant will be resubmitted to be approved for the 2nd Quarter.  Those applicants will usually be notified in May and may need to update their application.  Funds for 2nd Quarter grants usually arrive in September.  Applicants who are not recommended for grant funding will be notified by mail by May or June.

Is there a possibility I will be approved for a lower amount than I requested?
Yes.  Youth Strategies Branch does not have a large grant budget and it fluctuates yearly.  Some groups may be offered smaller amounts in order for us to provide support to more agencies yet remain within our budget.

When must the money be spent?
Our fiscal year is April 1 – March 31.  Regardless of when you receive your grant funds, you will be expected to have spent them by March 31 of the next year.  If, by March 31, you have not spent all of the money, you may request a short extension.