MRC La Vallée-de-l'Or — Support Program for Structuring Projects (PSPS)

The Support Program for Structuring Projects provides financial assistance to eligible organizations through a structured set of financing modalities. These modalities ensure a systematic disbursement of funds aligned with project milestones and contribution requirements.

• The maximum financial contribution by the MRC cannot exceed 60% of the total admissible expenses, capped at $25,000 per project.
• Volunteer hours are accounted for within a limit of 20% of the admissible project expenses, at the current minimum wage rate.
• A minimum contribution of 20% of admissible expenses must be demonstrated by the applicant, which can include monetary contributions, donations, or services from organizations involved in the project.
• The first installment of 60% of the grant amount is released upon signing the financial assistance agreement.
• The second installment, amounting to 30%, is provided upon submission of a preliminary report with supporting documents for previously disbursed funds.
• The final 10% is disbursed after acceptance of the final report by the MRC, demonstrating full project completion and validation of expenses.
• Projects must be completed within one year from the date of the council resolution.
• Any excess funds received must be returned to the MRC.
• Expenses exceeding the project budget are the responsibility of the applicant organization.

Eligibility for this grant is restricted to specific types of organizations operating within the specified regions.

• The applicant must be a municipality, a municipal organization, or a band council of an indigenous community.
• Eligible entities include non-profit organizations that are incorporated, and non-financial cooperatives.
• Organizations from the education, health, culture, environment, heritage, and social services sectors that cover, in whole or in part, the described territory are eligible.
• Private for-profit companies and financial cooperatives are not eligible for this grant.
• Each municipality and municipal organization can only submit one application per year.

Who is eligible?

The grant is open to various organizations focusing on structural development projects in the region covered by the MRC de La Vallée-de-l’Or. Eligible applicants are categorized into specific organizational types.

• Municipalities and municipal organizations as well as the band councils of Indigenous communities.
• Non-profit organizations (NPOs) and incorporated cooperatives that are non-financial.
• Organizations in the education, health, culture, environment, heritage, and social services sectors, provided they operate within the eligible territory specified in the PSPS.

Who is not eligible

The FONDS RÉGIONS ET RURALITÉ VOLET 2 grant explicitly outlines entities that are excluded based on their status and nature of operations. These restrictions are implemented to target support toward non-profit and community-focused initiatives.

• Private for-profit enterprises.
• Financial cooperatives.

Eligible expenses

The grant funds specific expenses essential for the development and execution of projects within eligible territories.

• Administrative fees associated with the position of the local development coordinator at the MRC.
• Professional fees costs.
• Capital expenditures for assets such as land, buildings, equipment, machinery, and rolling stock.
• Costs for incorporation and similar capital expenses.
• Acquisition costs for technology, software or software packages, patents, and similar expenses.
• Working capital requirements calculated for the first year of operation of an organization.
• Volunteer hours accounted at the minimum wage rate, up to 20% of the project cost.
• Recoverable portion of taxes by the organization.

Eligible geographic areas

This grant is geographically restricted to entities within the MRC de la Vallée-de-l'Or. It is aimed at supporting local communities, including specific Indigenous communities, within this region.

• Municipalities composing the territory of the MRC de la Vallée-de-l'Or.
• Indigenous communities of Kitcisakik and Lac Simon.

The evaluation criteria for the grant are designed to promote development through prioritization based on set parameters, although specific point scores are not provided in the document.

• Proposer's experience and capability in executing similar projects.
• Alignment with the strategic goals of improving living environments and encouraging project innovation.
• Extent of community support and collaborative efforts among local organizations.
• Project's potential to generate positive outcomes in social, environmental, and economic fields.
• Clear demonstration of financial autonomy and sustainability.
• Feasibility and actionable timeline of the project.
• Presents a structured plan for the consolidation of existing services and resources.

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

• There is an obligation for the applicant to include acknowledgments of the MRC de La Vallée-de-l’Or in all communications about the project.
• Applicants must notify the MRC at least 30 days in advance of any official ceremonies related to the project.
• The financial assistance agreement must be signed within six months of council approval, or the grant will be void.
• Projects must be completed within one year following the decision by the council of mayors, with a phased payment system based on progress reports.