How ESDC assesses your application

This page explains:

• Step 1: Organization validation
• Step 2: Screening for eligibility
• Step 3: Assessing on program criteria

ESDC will review your application in 3 steps. They are:

Step 1: Organization Validation

You must include the following with your application for it to be considered complete:

• a CRA business number and a CRA document that provides proof of operations of your organization dated within the last 2 years (a screenshot of a recently created CRA business number will be accepted)
• if applicable, a quote from a contractor for each activity, if you are proposing renovations or a repair project (must be dated within one (1) year)
• a letter indicating provincial or territorial agreement (see the Who Can Apply page)

ESDC may use data from CRA to validate any of the following information below about your organization:

• organization legal and operating name
• business number
• mailing address
• account status
• creation date

Things that may impact your eligibility:

• your past performance may impact the eligibility of your application. Past performance issue may result in your application being rejected. These include:
  • missing reports
  • financial irregularities
  • missing or inconsistent supporting documents
  • issues of default
• inconsistencies with terms of agreement
• overall grant and contribution management issues

Step 2: Screening for Eligibility

ESDC will screen for eligibility based on the following:

• application is received by the deadline
• application is complete
• organization is eligible
• the request for funding does not exceed $50,000
• project activities are eligible
• program objectives are met
• CRA Business number is valid and the document providing proof is not dated more than 2 years (a screenshot of a recently created CRA business number will be accepted)
• confirmation that seniors are involved in the planning and/or delivery of the project
• confirmation that at least 50% of those served by the project are seniors

Step 3: Assessment of program criteria

ESDC will assess your application based on the following criteria:

Project Objective: 10% Overall assessment

• Demonstrate how your project meets the program objective(s).

National priorities: 10% of overall assessment

• If applicable, demonstrate how your project meets at least 1 of the national priorities.
• The project does not have to meet a national priority however it will not receive the additional 10 points in the overall scoring.

Senior involvement: 10% of overall assessment

• Demonstrate how seniors play a vital role in the project (active participation of seniors in the project planning and activities).

Benefits to seniors: 15% of overall assessment

• Demonstrate how seniors will benefit from the project.
• Demonstrate how the project will address the identified needs of seniors.

Benefits to the community and community support: 10% of overall assessment

• Describe how your project will benefit the community.
• Describe community support for the project.

Cost effectiveness: 5% of overall assessment

• Demonstrate that the costs are reasonable and the costs support the planned activities.

Project activities: 10% of overall assessment

• Clearly describe activities, timelines and milestones that are specific, detailed and realistic.
• Indicate the expected results of your project and how they will be achieved. They must be clearly defined and realistic.

Mandate, qualification and track record of the organization: 20% of overall assessment

• Describe how the current mandate or mission of your organization is primarily to serve seniors.
• Demonstrate qualification and/or experience of working with seniors.

Priorities for funding – Vulnerable Group: 5% of overall assessment

• Demonstrate how the project activities will effectively target vulnerable seniors.

Project for Funding – Rural and Remote location: 5% of overall assessment

• Demonstrate how the project will effectively engage and target seniors in rural and remote areas.