This endowment fund is being established as a tribute to long-time board member John Robinson.
The PEI Environment & Sustainability Fund’s purpose is to support various environmental and sustainability activities such as those to address climate change and its impact, the promotion of a circular economy, and the utilization of commercial agriculture adaption strategies. The hope is that the impact of the initiatives of local individuals and groups supported by the ESF Fund will become part of a worldwide groundswell of initiatives by individuals striving to ensure a viable environment for future generations to enjoy.
The enormity of global climate change can be daunting and dispiriting. What can one person, or even one small Province, do on their own to slow and reverse climate change? Simple actions like reducing the use of fossil fuels, improving the energy efficiency of our homes and work places through the adaption of passive solar designs and better insulation and HVAC systems , consuming less of everything, becoming more efficient in what we drive and how we drive and how we get from A to B, eating less prepared food, farming more sustainably, using less water, planting more trees, reducing energy consumption by installing LED lighting, and unplugging idle devices all help. Government and Industry have a role to play but only the combined attitudes and efforts of individuals worldwide can achieve meaningful change.
Application Criteria
The overall focus of the PEI Environment & Sustainability Fund shall be to support activities and projects which encourage individuals to change their attitudes, lifestyles, and actions to collectively minimize environmental impact and to build sustainability.
The PEI ESF awards grants to a variety of environmental projects or programs. However, primary consideration will be given to projects and programs that:
- will demonstrate to and encourage others to adopt as part of their individual contribution to a groundswell for global change.
- are innovative and address evolving environmental issues and climate change.
- engage partners, volunteers, and foster collaboration.
Project/Program Detail
Applicants will be required to submit a completed workplan that will detail activities and timelines, including the following:
- Project Title
- Project summary – a brief description addressing the overall goal and who the project/program will serve.
- Project Timeline – when will the project/program take place and what are the anticipated start and end dates?
- Impact/Outcomes – How does the project/program advance sustainability in PEI while demonstrating to and encouraging others to adopt as part of their individual contribution to a groundswell for global change? Include a point form list of anticipated outcomes from this project/program.
- Project collaborators and partners – please provide a list the organizations, groups, and/or associations formally or informally involved in the project/program and the role they play. Please include letters of support (if applicable).
Who Can Apply?
Typically, registration with Canada Revenue Agency as a charitable organization is required to be eligible to apply for a Community Foundation Grant. Incorporation as a not-for-profit is not sufficient to qualify. However, an organization that does not have charitable status can apply in a formal partnership with a charitable organization if, through the initiative in question, the non-charitable organization is helping the charity fulfill its mission and mandate. There are also a limited number of other categories of organizations that are eligible to apply directly. If you are unsure about your eligibility, please contact CFPEI.
The PEI Environment and Sustainability Fund will not provide funding for the following.
- Core operations* (see note below)
- Fundraising events or campaigns.
- Partisan political or religious activities.
- Individuals.
- Sponsorships.
- Deficit reduction.
- Equipment purchases for administrative purposes.
- If you are unsure whether your application falls into one of these categories, please contact CFPEI directly.
*Note: Staff salaries and/or maintenance and administrative costs are not eligible if associated with basic operations and established, ongoing programs. These costs can qualify, however, if associated with the development and/or implementation of new programs, the expansion or evolution of existing programs, or such other initiatives as capacity development, strategic planning, evaluation, etc.
Qualifying Initiatives
Initiatives must do one or more of the following:
- Demonstrate and encourage others to adopt as part of their individual contribution to a groundswell for global change.
- Benefit the Prince Edward Island community, improve the quality of life for its residents, and help to foster a strong, positive, and caring community.
- Use a community development approach to build on the assets and strengths of the community to respond to evolving issues and emerging priorities.
- Address the root causes of identified local issues and work on long-term solutions to achieve systemic change.
- Cultivate collective action within the community (i.e. through a shared vision for change, coordinated activities, joint data collection and results measurement, the coordination of participating organizations, etc.).
- Take a creative or unique approach to tackling community issues (e.g. through the method of service delivery, engagement of community partners, role of community members, etc.).
- Help to build the capacity of individuals, organizations, and communities.
In accordance with the principles and commitments of the Foundation, the Grants Committee pays close attention to whether and how proposed initiatives incorporate diversity and inclusion. The Committee also considers applicants’ resources, capacity and options for fundraising and marketing, to ensure that our funding reaches capable organizations that may have more limited scope in these areas.
Review Committee
- The Community Foundation of PEI Granting Committee will be tasked with the annual selection of the successful applicant(s) each year. The Community Foundation of PEI reserves the right to establish a separate granting committee in the future based on specific knowledge gaps that may arise over time.
- The amount available for granting from the permanent endowment will be determined annually by the Foundation’s Granting Policy. The current policy specifies the amount available for granting as 4% of the rolling average of the 4 prior year-end fair market values (FMV) of the portfolio.
- Applications will be available annually through the Community Foundation of PEI website.
- The Foundation will receive all applications and will assist with promotion of the fund where possible.
Sustainable Investing
Also known as responsible or ESG investing, this is an approach to investing that incorporates environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors in the investment process. It is the Foundation’s intent for the fund to be invested using sustainable investing when possible.