Role of the Prince Albert Catholic Education Foundation in the funding ecosystem
The Prince Albert Catholic Education Foundation (PACE) is a charitable, school‑community foundation dedicated to maintaining and enhancing the quality of Catholic education in Prince Albert. Working in partnership with local Catholic schools, parishes and the wider community, it provides financial support for school‑based projects that enrich the spiritual, educational and community life of students within the Catholic school system.
The Foundation’s mandate is to provide limited funding to projects that clearly enhance Catholic education. According to its funding overview, PACE may contribute up to 80% of eligible project costs, to a maximum of $1,000 per school in a given year. Projects must show that the school community is also contributing resources, and requests are submitted through the school and endorsed by the principal or, for division‑wide initiatives, by senior administration.
Main funding themes and types of projects supported
PACE structures its support around several broad categories of initiatives:
- Initiatives promoting spiritual growth, such as retreats, vocational awareness activities, and school‑based learning experiences that foster Christian values and faith development.
- Student leadership, social justice and stewardship projects, which help students develop leadership skills, a sense of responsibility and a commitment to serving those in greater need within school communities.
- Innovative educational ideas in a Catholic school, where the Foundation can provide seed money to pilot new or creative approaches that deepen students’ faith and integrate Catholic values into learning, without replacing programs or materials normally funded by the school division.
- Special circumstances, where the Board of Directors may, at its discretion, consider applications that do not neatly fit existing categories but align with the Foundation’s mission.
The Foundation also manages designated funds, which are donor ‑directed contributions. Interest generated from these funds can be allocated to specific schools or programs, subject to Board approval.
Application cycle and general guidelines
Funding is awarded through an annual application cycle. Schools and parent groups are invited to submit one application per school by November 30, which may bundle multiple individual projects. The Board of Directors reviews all applications once per school year and makes final decisions on support. Successful applicants are recognized at a disbursement ceremony held in February, often linked to a gala event, and some grants may be held in trust and paid directly from the Foundation’s account to suppliers.
Approved funds must normally be used within 12 months, and unused amounts are to be returned unless otherwise approved by the Board. The guidelines specify several exclusions: the Foundation does not fund capital costs, general travel subsidies, playground equipment, routine educational products or services typically provided by the Catholic Board of Education, or food for events and retreats, except in limited faith‑related circumstances (such as bus transportation for visits to churches or faith workshops).
Community support and planned giving
The Foundation finances its grant programs through donations and planned giving from individuals, staff and the wider community. It offers various ways to contribute, including payroll deduction plans for Catholic school board employees, one‑time or monthly donations, memorial gifts, bequests, life insurance policies and other planned gifts. As a registered charitable organization, PACE issues tax receipts and publicly recognizes major donors through a “Friends of the Foundation” recognition board and communications.
Through this combination of targeted project funding, clear guidelines and strong links with donor support, the Prince Albert Catholic Education Foundation plays a focused role in strengthening Catholic education and faith formation in Prince Albert’s Catholic schools.