Role of Access Communications Children's Fund in the funding ecosystem
Access Communications Children’s Fund Inc. is a CRA-registered charity created by Access Communications Co-operative to channel community support toward children and youth across Saskatchewan. Since 1992, the Fund has donated more than $4.5 million to local charities, schools and non-profit organizations. It operates as a dedicated grantmaker, providing financial support for projects that improve the lives of children at risk, in need, or most vulnerable in communities served by Access Communications, including rural areas covered by its wireless internet network.
The Fund is primarily financed through Access TV Bingo revenues, public donations and staff fundraising initiatives. This funding is then redistributed to community organizations through a structured application and review process managed by a volunteer Board of Directors and an Allocations Committee.
Funding themes and eligible beneficiaries
The Children’s Fund focuses on three main funding areas:
- Health and wellness of children and youth – projects that support mental and physical well-being, build self-esteem and identity, promote healthy relationships, and provide social, intellectual, physical or creative activities.
- Education and literacy – initiatives that improve educational performance, grade-level reading, and social, emotional, language, and communication skills.
- Social inclusion – programs that foster understanding of diversity and culture, enhance belonging and acceptance, and reduce stigmatization and marginalization of children and youth.
Funding is directed to registered non-profit organizations, schools and registered charities located in Saskatchewan communities served by Access Communications. Projects must serve children and youth 18 years and under who are specifically at risk, in need or most vulnerable, rather than the general youth population.
General eligibility and funding guidelines
The Fund only supports Saskatchewan-based organizations, ensuring cheques are payable to local offices or chapters so that donations remain in the province. It emphasizes project-based support and aims to have its contributions impact children as directly as possible. As such, it does not fund ongoing operating expenses such as salaries, honorariums, utilities, maintenance, advertising, or other overhead costs.
To encourage sustainability and broad reach, the Children’s Fund will not be the sole funder of projects over $5,000, funds only one application from an organization in any 24‑month period, and normally does not provide grants in consecutive years. Applications must demonstrate clear community need, project outcomes, evaluation plans, sound financial practices and a sustainable funding model.
Application process and review
Applications can be submitted online throughout the year via the dedicated funding form. The Board and its Allocations Committee review applications at least four times annually, with posted submission deadlines; funding decisions are typically communicated within 8–10 weeks after a deadline. From time to time, the Fund may consider larger multi‑year legacy projects, which receive additional Board scrutiny to ensure alignment with mandate and impact objectives.
Organizations that receive grants must submit a follow-up Project Outcome report outlining completed work, any incomplete components, measurable impacts, stories demonstrating how the funding advanced their mission, and supporting photos or materials. This reporting requirement reinforces accountability and informs future funding decisions.
Supported audiences and provincial impact
The Access Communications Children’s Fund supports a wide range of initiatives, from playgrounds, sensory rooms and inclusive recreation equipment to literacy programs, camps, mental health supports and culturally grounded activities. In 2023 alone, it granted more than $815,000 to 87 community groups across Saskatchewan. Detailed public recipient lists by year show donations, recipient organizations, communities and program descriptions, underscoring the Fund’s long-term and province‑wide impact on vulnerable children and youth.