Quality of Life Grants

Grants to Saskatchewan registered charities and qualified donees for projects that focus on creating an integrated and socially inclusive community in eligible regions. Applicants are required to submit an LOI prior to a full grant application. Additional areas of interest to be considered are youth, health, social development, arts and culture, environment, education, and capacity building. Eligible applicants serve the community of Saskatoon.

The Saskatoon Community Foundation's current strategic focus is Belonging. Everyone deserves a community in which they feel that they belong. Saskatoon Community Foundation supports projects which seek to support, enhance and increase a strong sense of belonging in the community. Registered charities are encouraged to submit requests for support of projects fostering Belonging in Saskatoon in three main areas of focus:

1. Reconciliation: Does your project address directly or indirectly any of the 94 Calls to Action identified by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission? Does your project reflect an awareness of issues affecting relationships among indigenous and non-indigenous Canadians?
2. Social Inclusion: Does your project improve inclusiveness among diverse cultures or demographic groups? Does it seek to improve equity for a particular segment of the community, or improve the community’s understanding of issues around equity? Does it promote cross-cultural tolerance or understanding? Does it value and celebrate our diversity?
3. Youth Engagement: How does your project or program engage youth to be included more effectively in Saskatoon’s community life?

The Quality of Life Grants program can still support projects which touch on its traditional areas of focus: Arts and Culture, Education, Environment, Health, Social Development, and Capacity Building. However, projects should now be presented in terms of their impact on Belonging. Organizations seeking support for youth-focused projects can also apply through Youth Endowment Saskatoon (see link in Pre-Application Information, below).

The Saskatoon Community Foundation’s grants must: 

1. Align with the SCF Vision Statement, Mission Statement, and Guiding Principles.
2. Encourage the qualified donees to engage in activities which strengthen their ability to serve the community.
3. Empower qualified donees and those they serve, while recognizing and valuing diversity within the community.
4. Respond to the changing nature of the community by listening to community organizations, in order to identify areas of high priority as they arise. 

For grant criteria, see: https://saskatooncommunityfoundation.ca/app/uploads/2020/11/Quality-of-Life-Granting-Terms-of-Reference-2018-FINAL.pdf#page=2

Preference will be given to projects that:

• Have a direct and meaningful impact on a significant number of people
• Are respectful of program users, and may involve them in planning, execution and evaluation
• Involve community partnerships
• Mobilize financial resources by utilizing such funding strategies as leveraging and partnering
• Avoid duplicating similar services
• Set measurable objectives, which will be evaluated
• Plan for future funding needs