Am I eligible for these grants if I am not Indigenous?
Yes! RISE grants are open to any and ALL children and youth (under the age of 27) who are or have been registered In Care in British Columbia, regardless of ancestry. Applicants must also currently be residents of British Columbia.
What types of programs and activities can I apply for?
Participant/Registration fees for organized sport, recreation, physical activity, and/or cultural activities.
Activities can range from a weekend, one-week activities, 12-week programs or ongoing year-round sport participation.
How long will it take to process my application?
After an application has been submitted and initial contact has been made by the RISE Grant Manager (via phone or email). It may take up to 30 days after approval of application for information to be confirmed and payments deployed to participants and to the program organizations.
What type of equipment is eligible to apply for funding support?
Equipment to support a program activity including but not limited to: sport equipment required to participate, activity shoes, sport accessories, or other specialized clothing (e.g. uniforms, traditional clothing), etc.
How will I get access to the grant funding to pay for my program fees?
All approved program fees will be paid by I·SPARC directly to the program delivery organization. If third party payment is not an option, please discuss with program manager.
Can I access the program funding to pay for the registration fees myself?
Unfortunately, due to the deliverables of the grant, we are not able to provide payment to the participants directly for the program registration fees.
What type of Cultural Activities are eligible for funding?
Grant submissions for cultural activities will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis with a preference given to activities that focus on learning cultural practices, but also contains a physical activity component. Examples of activities including but not limited to: traditional dance, healing, rediscovery, language immersion, cultural or wellness programs/camps.
Does I·SPARC require proof of my Youth in Care Status?
I·SPARC is working directly with the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD). The verification of care status will be assumed by I·SPARC, who will communicate with the MCFD to confirm your status.
Can I save my application if I have not fully completed it? Will the application save?
Yes, an application can be saved to be edited at a later date. Hitting the SAVE & CLOSE button on your application will result in the application being saved and accessible when you are ready to complete it.
Will I·SPARC accept an application for a program that has already started or has been completed?
I·SPARC will only consider applications for programs which have not yet started. Please ensure that you apply well in advance of your program start date to ensure funding eligibility.
Will I·SPARC accept an application for equipment that was purchased before the grant application was approved?
Unfortunately, only new purchases after approval of funding have been confirmed is eligible for this grant. Purchases of equipment prior to an application being assessed do not qualify for funding support under this grant program.
What if my transportation costs are higher than indicated on the disbursement grid? Can I apply for additional travel funding?
The maximum amount an applicant may apply for travel support is $500 in a calendar year.
Can I apply for a grant more than once per year?
Yes, an individual may apply for support more than once in a calendar year. However, the maximum amount an individual may apply for in a calendar year is $1,000.
What if my application is declined, can I apply again at another time?
Yes, you can apply again. The RISE Grant Manager is available to assist with any questions regarding your application.
Can I apply to the program without an email address?
All correspondence will be via email. Please consider setting up a Gmail account. Click here for directions on how to set up an email account: https://support.google.com/mail/answer/56256?hl=en
Can I apply for a grant for one, two or all three funding supports – program, equipment, and travel?
Yes, you may apply for one, two or three of the funding supports but cannot exceed the limit per funding per calendar year.
Do I need to provide proof of the cost to purchase my equipment needs?
For all equipment purchases $200 or more, a quote, invoice or URL containing the information and costs of the equipment from the store you are looking to purchase the goods from, must be submitted and uploaded with your application.
What do I do if I need to withdraw from or I am not able to complete my program activities?
Should your circumstances have changed, and you are not able to take advantage of the program activities or funding to support your activity, as they were applied for, please contact the RISE Grant Manger as soon as possible to make alternative arrangements and to discuss next steps. risegrant@isparc.ca
Can I obtain or keep a copy of my application?
Yes, your application is available to you through your Good Grants Profile. You can also Print the application from the website and retain for your records.