MRC L’Île-d’Orléans — Capitale-Nationale Region Fund (FRCN) – Île d’Orléans Stream

Who is eligible?

Eligible applicants for the Fonds de la région de la Capitale-Nationale (FRCN) – volet Île d’Orléans are defined as specific groups capable of demonstrating compliance with local development policies and strategic alignment.

• Municipal organizations.
• Cooperatives, excluding those in the financial sector.
• Non-profit organizations duly registered in the Quebec Enterprise Register.
• Private enterprises, including those operating in the social economy, duly registered in the Quebec Enterprise Register.

Who is not eligible

This grant has specific exclusions to ensure funds are effectively utilized for eligible projects and parties. Organizations facing public contract restrictions or those with unresolved financial obligations from prior grants are ineligible.

• Organizations registered under the Register of enterprises ineligible for public contracts (RENA).
• Organizations that failed to meet obligations from previous financial assistance by the MRC within the past two years.

Eligible expenses

The grant covers specific expenses directly related to the realization and success of the project.

• Professional fees, consulting services, and studies.
• Salaries and benefits for employees, trainees, and staff involved in the project (including employer's social charges and benefits).
• Purchase or rental of goods, equipment, and assets related to the project.
• Activities and expenses for marketing, promotion, and publicity not part of the promoter's usual activities or services.
• Improvements, repairs, expansions, renovations, or construction work on a non-residential building, including acquisition of land or a non-residential building.
• General and administrative expenses necessary for the project.

Eligible geographic areas

This grant is available to companies that are located in specific geographical areas within the MRC de l’Île d’Orléans, ensuring alignment with local development policies.

• Organizations with projects occurring on the territory of the MRC de l’Île d’Orléans.
• Companies producing a significant impact on the territory of the MRC de l’Île d’Orléans.

The evaluation and selection of projects under the FRCN for the MRC de l’Île d’Orléans are based on specific criteria to ensure projects align with the fund's objectives and potential impacts on the community.

• Link with the objectives of the FRCN.
• Involvement of partners.
• Embedment in the local community.
• Diversity of funding sources.
• Financial and organizational capacity of the promoter to complete the project and achieve its objectives.
• Potential economic benefits such as job creation or maintenance, generated investments, ripple effects, impact on priority zones or sectors, and visibility and outreach of the Île d’Orléans.

Here are the steps to submit an application for this grant:

• Step 1: Confirm Eligibility
• Ensure the project aligns with the policies of the MRC de L'Île-d’Orléans and the territorial strategy of the Île d'Orléans.
• Verify that the organization type is eligible to apply (e.g., municipal organization, cooperative excluding the financial sector, registered non-profit, or private company).
• Step 2: Prepare Application Documents
• Complete the application form and ensure it is signed, providing both a paper copy and an electronic version.
• Gather supporting documents such as letters patent (if applicable), project description including objectives, deliverables, schedule, stakeholders, and budget.
• Assemble the financial statements for the past three years from the organization and any affiliated entities if significant business relationships exist.
• Obtain letters of support or recommendation if applicable.
• Detail the financial structure of the project, including funding sources and financial projections for the next three years if applicable.
• Provide partner funding confirmations if applicable.
• Include a board resolution authorizing the project application submission and agreement signing.
• Step 3: Submit Application
• Submit the prepared documents and application form to the MRC de L’Île-d’Orléans.
• Ensure submission is done within any specified deadlines.
• Step 4: Await Review and Decision
• The proposal will be reviewed and recommendations will be made by the Comité d'experts en développement économique.
• Await feedback or requests for additional information during the review process.
• Step 5: Sign Agreement
• If approved, negotiate and sign a financial aid agreement with the MRC outlining terms and conditions, payment schedule, and project deliverables.

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

• The funding can be in the form of non-repayable grants, loans with or without interest, or loan guarantees.
• Maximum financial assistance is $75,000 per project, with different maximum contribution rates based on the type of organization.
• Non-governmental sources must make up at least 50% of eligible project expenses for private enterprises and 20% for other organizations.
• In-kind contributions can make up a maximum of 5% of the funding structure for nonprofit projects but must be clearly detailed and valued.
• Maximum cumulative public funding cannot exceed 50% of eligible expenses for private entities and 80% for other eligible beneficiaries.
• Final reporting is required to include the total project cost and numbers on job creation and maintenance.