Call out for Moffat Fund applicants

FORT FRANCES—For the fifth-straight year, the Town of Fort Frances will be receiving money from the Moffat Family Fund to hand out to local groups and service clubs with the aim of helping youths and families.
CAO Mark McCaig confirmed this week that Fort Frances once again is eligible for $50,000 in funds to be redistributed to local worthwhile causes, and individuals and organizations are encouraged to start submitting their requests for a portion of that funding along with a supporting rationale.
Information packages are now available at the Civic Centre or by calling 274-5323. Applications have to be submitted by Friday, Feb. 16 at 2 p.m.
As in previous years, non-profit organizations are welcome to apply but must keep in mind that funding proposals must benefit children, families, and the “less advantaged,” said McCaig.
“People really need to pay attention to the ad [which started running in Friday’s Daily Bulletin],” he noted. “There’s some things in there that we put in that are important, that can help the process.
“People really need to follow the directions regarding the information requirements closely, and to structure their applications so they’re really in line with the mission of the Moffat Family Fund,” added McCaig.
“Those missions statements are available with the application packages.”
McCaig noted the Moffat Fund is a rare opportunity for charitable causes that fit into the criteria, and encouraged those individuals and groups to apply.
“A lot of people should be looking at it. With the closure of the bingo hall, that’s where a lot of people did a lot of their fundraising,” he remarked. “They should really look at it.”
McCaig stressed organizations from outside Fort Frances whose activities do not have a direct benefit to town residents will not be considered.
Another tip he gave was that applications should be limited to two-five pages.
“They should be able to answer al the requirements within five pages,” said McCaig. “Applicants should hesitate from providing too much information. Just answer the questions and that’s it.”
As mentioned above, the deadline for applications is Feb. 16, after which time the local Moffat Fun committee will choose recipients and forward those selections onto the Winnipeg Foundation for approval prior to the end of March.
Those recipients then likely will receive their share of the $50,000 in late spring.
The last round of recipients, who were awarded their cheques on Feb. 27, 2006, included:
•Robert Moore School Council—$7,300 for new playground equipment;
•Salvation Army—$6,200 to continue delivering aid to the less fortunate;
•Fort Frances Youth Soccer—$6,000 to help pay for improvements at the St. Francis Sportsfields;
•Coming Together for Kids Coalition—$5,000 for its car seat donor program;
•Rainy River District Community Policing Committee—$4,000 for its “Fishing for Futures” program (where OPP officers take youth outdoors);
•Rainy River Watershed Program—$3,500 to help bring students to its 2007 ManOMin conference;
•Family and Children’s Services—$3,000 for a crafts/social recreation program for special needs children;
•Friends of Little League—$3,000 for equipment and to waive fees for kids who can’t afford registration to play baseball;
•Sunset Country Squash Club—$3,000 to develop a program for youth who can’t afford to play other, more expensive sports;
•Canadian Mental Health Association—$2,500 for resources to identify and treat early psychosis;
•Rainy Lake Air Cadet Squadron—$2,500 to continue its programming;
•Fort Frances Meals on Wheels—$2,000 to continue its programming; and
•Valley Adult Learning Association—$2,000 for computer upgrades.
A total of 30 applicants responded, requesting about $231,000 in funding in all.