Changes to Grants Program

Includes quarterly grant cycle and more granting categories

The September meeting of the Anglican Foundation of Canada’s (AFC) Board of Directors saw the approval of the first phase of significant changes to AFC’s grants policy.

“This year, the Grants Policy Working Group undertook a major review of our granting policies in light of the Board’s desire to provide greater impact and to drive transformational ministry across the Canadian Church,” says Dr. Scott Brubacher, Executive Director.

Brubacher says the recommendations put forward by the Committee, which were unanimously approved by the Board, focus on three major areas of change.

Move to Quarterly Grant Cycle

Effective January 1, 2023, AFC will move from a semi-annual grant cycle to a quarterly one, with application windows open on Jan 1, Apr 1, Jul 1, and Oct 1 each year. “This rolling entry to the grants program will give potential applicants increased accessibility and flexibility,” says Brubacher, “and will result in timelier decisions, which can have a major impact on the success of a project.”

Introducing Category A Grants

The Board also approved the introduction of Category A grants of up to $5,000 with no matching local funds required. “These category A grants were introduced for AFC’s 2021 Say Yes! to Kids Request for Proposal and proved very effective,” explains Rob Dickson, Chair, Grants Policy Working Group. “That experience has provided countless examples of how the infusion of a few thousand dollars can have an enormously positive impact on ministry and outreach.” The long-established traditional AFC grants—up to $15,000 and no more than 50% of the project budget—will become the new Category B grant.

Waiving Membership Requirement

The Board also approved removing the requirement that grant applicants be current members of AFC. Dickson says, “It is more consistent with our value of generosity to invite applicants to donate out of a spirit of generosity to ‘pay it forward’.”

According to Brubacher, the Foundation’s role in resourcing a change-minded church in the wake of a global pandemic is “only beginning to be defined. As our Board gathers next week in Toronto to approve still more changes, we want our members and friends across the Canadian church to know that resourcing the church as faithfully and abundantly as possible, is our top priority.”

For more information on how to access an AFC grant, visit www.anglicanfoundation.org/apply or email  [email protected].