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Priorities For Granting
The Foundation provides funding only for specific projects to educate
the public and entrepreneurs about investing and capital formation.
The Foundation does not provide start-up or seed capital for
businesses or projects whose primary focus is not educational in
nature, for example to expand a microbrewery or a pharmaceutical
enterprise. Visit our Links page for links to firms that provide
venture capital.
The Foundation believes that knowledgeable investors and entrepreneurs
are vital to healthy capital markets.
- Investors who understand the variety of investment products
available, how markets work, and the relationship between risk
and reward are better prepared to invest wisely and responsibly.
- Entrepreneurs who understand how to access the capital markets are better prepared to help companies grow and succeed, thereby creating good opportunities for investment.
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The Foundation will determine project merit based on the following key objectives:
Investor Education |
- Developing new information or repackaging information in ways that will help Alberta investors better understand the working of the capital market and how it applies to their personal financial future.
- Providing new means of distributing existing information so that it is more widely available to or accessible by Alberta investors.
Entrepreneur Development
- Developing new information, or repackaging information in ways that will assist Alberta entrepreneurs in developing successful public companies.
- Providing new means of distributing existing information so that it is more widely available to or accessible by entrepreneurs in Alberta.
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Who can apply?
The Foundation will consider applications from individuals, groups and organizations from the public or private sectors. The Foundation may also propose or implement projects on its own initiative.
What costs will not be considered?
The Foundation will not ordinarily consider grants for:
- start-up costs of an organization
- day-to-day operations of an organization
- debt reduction (e.g. repayment of loans or a shortfall on completed projects)
- educational programs, if their primary intended purpose is to attract clients for non-educational services
- endowments
The Foundation seldom provides 100% funding. We look for an investment by your organization, contributions from program participants or the general public and support from other funding sources.
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How do I apply?
- To help you determine whether your project meets the Foundation's funding eligibility and priorities, please review "Priorities for granting" and "What costs will not be considered?".
- If you believe that your project meets the Foundation's funding eligibility and priorities, please complete the
application form provided at this website. You may send it directly from this website or send it in electronic format (preferably as a Word document) to the Foundation at apply@acmfoundation.org.
- If it is impossible for you to send your application electronically, you may send it by mail or by fax, but be aware that this will delay the processing of your application.
- This website contains all the information necessary for making an application. If you must make enquiries, please do so by e-mail but be prepared to wait for a response, as the Foundation has no staff. Do not telephone the Foundation to enquire about applications.
- The application form should be succinct (no more than four pages).
- Please avoid technical terms and acronyms. If you must use them, define them.
- Do not send supporting materials with your application form. Supporting materials will be requested only if the Foundation decides, after reviewing the application, that your project may qualify, as described under "Next step for projects that may qualify".
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Deadlines for applications
There are two deadlines annually for receipt of application forms:
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What happens after your application is received?
- Applications are acknowledged when received. We will then review your application for completeness.
- Foundation members consider all complete applications and make decisions based on the application's merit and eligibility, and on the amount of funds available. Final decisions on grants approved, including the amount of funds awarded, are at the discretion of the Foundation's members.
- When appropriate, the Foundation may submit applications to outside review.
- Although timing may vary, we will advise the outcome of your application within approximately two months of the deadline for submission. Do not plan or ask for earlier decisions.
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Next step for projects that may qualify
If the Foundation's members decide that your project might qualify for a grant, we
may contact you to discuss next steps. We may ask you to:
- describe the project in greater detail
- submit a detailed budget
- provide references
- provide other specific information
If you are applying on behalf of an organization, we may also ask you to provide:
- a list of current officers and directors
- resumes of key individuals
- recent financial statements
- other specific information
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Notification of
decisions
You will be notified in writing of
the Foundation's final decision. Decisions will not be released
over the telephone. Informing applicants in writing is a way to
ensure that there is no misunderstanding about the decision made.
The written notification will outline the terms and conditions
of any grant awarded.
Successful applications
Final grants will be calculated
on the basis of actual rather than projected expenditures.
If a grant is approved, the Foundation will require some or all
of the following:
- acknowledgment on all materials, including publicity, that funding was provided by the Foundation
- prior written approval from the Foundation for any proposed alterations in the project plan
- proper fiscal management
- interim and/or final reports relating to the execution and outcome of the project, including financial matters
- authorization to appoint an auditor to review any books and records associated with Foundation grant funds
- a site visit by Foundation members
- consent to the posting of a short description of the project on this website.
Common mistakes
The most common mistakes in applications to the Foundation are the following:
- neglecting to specify how much money you are requesting and
the purpose for which you intend to use it
- applying for seed or start-up capital for a non-educational project, such as a microbrewery or a pharmaceutical enterprise. Such projects are clearly outside the Foundation's mandate.
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