What type of foundation is the Notary Foundation?
- The Notary Foundation is a philanthropic foundation formed under the Notaries Act, RSBC (1996) Chapter 334 (as amended).
Where does the Notary Foundation get its money?
- The Notary Foundation receives a negotiated amount of interest from financial institutions that maintain the trust accounts of BC notaries public. The Foundation uses this money to fund grants.
What does the Notary Foundation fund?
- The Notary Foundation provides funding for legal aid, law libraries, legal education, and the maintenance of education programs for notaries public in the province, as directed by legislation and the strategic initiatives set by the Board of Governors. If you have a question about whether your application falls into one of these categories, contact the Notary Foundation.
What size of projects does the Notary Foundation fund?
- The Notary Foundation welcomes all applications that fit within our mandate and the strategic initiatives set by the Board of Governors. See “What does the Notary Foundation fund?”
Does the Notary Foundation prefer grant applications that provide in-kind or matching funds from another source?
- Not necessarily. While in-kind or matching funds are not required, the Foundation encourages applicants to seek additional support from other funders. We often work with other funders to support an applicant.
Who can apply for a Notary Foundation grant?
- All interested groups and individuals can apply.
Do I need to live and work in BC to apply for a Notary Foundation grant?
- The Notary Foundation awards grants based on the value of the proposed work and how it aligns with our mandate, not where the applicant(s) live.
How do I apply for Notary Foundation funding and submit my grant application?
- Submit your application using the online form found on the Notary Foundation website.
Do I have to use the Notary Foundation’s online grant application form?
- We consider only proposals submitted using the grant application form found on the Notary Foundation website.
Who can I speak to if I have questions about my grant application or the process?
- Call (778) 877-6676 or send a message using the contact form on the website.
When is the grant application deadline?
- We receive applications on an ongoing basis and review them as needed. We do not have a fixed schedule for receiving submissions or making decisions.
How can I track the progress of my grant application?
- If you have questions about the status of your application, contact the Notary Foundation’s Executive Director. Call (778) 877-6676 or send a message using the contact form on the website.
What happens if the Notary Foundation approves my grant application?
- If your application is approved, the Executive Director will notify you, usually by phone or email. You will then receive a letter of agreement to review and sign.
When will I receive the grant funds?
- Payment schedules vary. The letter of agreement will outline when the funds for your project will be released.
Will I be notified if my grant application is unsuccessful? Can I reapply?
- Whether you are successful or not, the Executive Director will let you know by phone or email. If your grant application was not successful, you can apply again.
If I have received a grant from the Notary Foundation for a different project or an earlier stage of my proposed work, can I apply for another Notary Foundation grant?”
- The Notary Foundation awards grants based on the value of the proposed work and how it aligns with our mandate not whether you have applied before.
What makes a good grant application?
- The best grant applications highlight who will benefit from the work and provide specific supporting details. Your grant application should clearly explain what problem you intend to solve and how it will help fulfill the funding goals (mandate) of the Notary Foundation (e.g., legal education, legal research, law libraries, legal aid, education for (future) notaries). See also, “What does the Notary Foundation fund?”
What can I do to ensure my application is successful?
- Make sure your proposed work meets the Notary Foundation’s mandate and funding objectives (e.g., legal education, legal research, law libraries, legal aid, education for (future) notaries).
- Use the grant application to show that your proposed work is timely, relevant, and well thought out. Why does the work matter? How does it meet the Notary Foundation’s statutory mandate?
- Read and follow the instructions for all sections of the application, carefully consulting the Glossary of Terms Used in Notary Foundation Grant Applications which explains keywords and provides grant preparation tips.
- Submit a grant application that provides all the information the reviewers will need to understand and evaluate your submission.
- Write clearly and concisely. While technical language is sometimes necessary to convey complex ideas, be brief but informative. Use clear, simple language (“plain language”) so reviewers can grasp the main points easily. Longer is not always better.
- Edit your work. Consider hiring a proof-reader or a professional editor to check your work before submitting the grant application.
- Provide all the necessary documentation.
- Attaching files? Submit only pdfs. Name them clearly and consistently. (See “File-Naming Conventions” in the glossary of terms.)