Does the Heritage Foundation offer grant assistance for building rehabilitation and other heritage initiatives?
Yes. The Foundation offers five cost-shared grant assistance programs for a variety of heritage activities, including:
- Heritage Conservation - for exterior restoration of designated heritage structures and sites (municipal heritage designation, provincial heritage designation)
- Heritage Research - including archaeological, architectural, historical, natural history and palaeontological heritage studies
- Heritage Promotion and Education - including brochures, walking tours, posters, audio/visual presentations and organization of conferences and seminars relating to aspects of Saskatchewan's heritage
- Heritage Publications - for publications relating to Saskatchewan's heritage
- Special Heritage Project - for innovative projects.
What is the underlying rationale for the Heritage Foundation's grant programs?
To provide cost-shared assistance to individuals, organizations and communities across the province attempting to conserve, research, develop and promote aspects of Saskatchewan's diverse heritage, including natural as well as cultural history.
What portion of the project costs will the Foundation provide?
The Foundation will provide up to 50% of eligible project costs, in theory. In practice, due to limited funding and a consistently high demand, the amount available is usually less than 50% of eligible costs. In northern Saskatchewan, north of the municipal boundary line, the applicant is eligible for up to 75% of eligible project costs.
How many grant applications does the Heritage Foundation receive annually?
Approximately 80 to 100 applications are received although, depending on project eligibility, designation status and adequacy of information, about 60 to 80 applications are formally considered by the Foundation Board. It should be noted that exceptance of an application for formal review is no guarantee that any funds will be awarded to a project.
What is the amount of the Heritage Foundation's annual heritage grant allocation?
The Foundation recieves $275,000 from the Province's General Revenue Fund. A portion of these funds is required to assist with the ongoing development of the Claybank Brick Plant National Historic Site of Canada, near Avonlea, and also to offset some of the agency's non-salary administrative costs.
How are grant applications reviewed, and what are the Foundation's funding priorities?
Initially, applications are reviewed by Foundation staff to ensure that minimum eligibility criteria are met, and that basic financial information has been provided. A summary of the project proposal is then prepared for review by the Foundation's Board of Directors. The Board makes the final determination as to whether or not an application will be funded, and at what level. The following general priorities have been identified:
- conservation of significant heritage resources at immediate / short term risk
- projects that possess significant tourism potential
- projects that involve aspects of Saskatchewan's history and pre-history that have not previously received due consideration
- initiatives or strategies that address aboriginal heritage issues, both First Nations and Metis
- conservation and research relating to provincially designated sites and structures.
What are Grant Application Deadlines, and how often does the Heritage Foundation adjudicate grant requests?
Grant application submission deadlines are: January 15th and August 15th. The Board formally reviews grant proposals twice each year - usually in April and October.
Does the Heritage Foundation provide funding for historic plaques or markers?
No. Local historic markers are the responsibility of the Saskatchewan History and Folklore Society (780-9204); while plaques for sites designated as Municipal Heritage Property are the responsibility of the designating municipal council. The roadside Provincial Historic Marker Program is administered by the Parks Services Branch of Saskatchewan Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport (787-9571). Plaques for sites and structures designated as Provincial Heritage Property are produced by the Heritage Resources Unit of Saskatchewan Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport (306-787-5777). Plaques for National Historic Sites are produced by Parks Canada Agency (306-662-2711).
Do sites or structures for which funding may be requested require some level of official recognition or protection?
Yes. The most common form of recognition for sites of local significance is Municipal Heritage Property designation by the local designating authority (RM, Village, Town or City). The Minister responsible for heritage may also designate any (real and moveable) property of provincial significance as Provincial Heritage Property. In both instances, designation publicly and formally recognizes the property's heritage value. First Nations communities can formally recognize a site's significance through a Band Council Resolution. Any structure listed and regulated by the Federal Heritage Building Review Office (FHBRO) would be deemed protected, as would any privately owned or leased structure within a National Park, pursuant to provisions of The National Parks Act. All National Historic Sites within the province, and all structures within the boundaries of any of the Provincial Historic Parks administered by the Parks Branch of the Ministry of Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport are deemed to meet this criterion. In addition, all former railway stations in Saskatchewan protected under the federal Heritage Railway Stations Protection Act of 1992 would qualify for funding consideration. Finally, Provincial Regional Parks can designate structures and sites within their boundaries as possessing heritage significance, and these would also qualify.
Who sits on the Heritage Foundation's Board of Directors, and what is its relationship to government?
The Foundation Board is currently comprised of six persons, all volunteers, drawn from across the province, and appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council. In 2007, the Board includes:
Dr. J. William Brennan (Regina) - Chairperson
Glenda James (Moose Jaw) - Vice-Chairperson
Dr. Sherry Farrell Racette (Regina)
Ingrid Cazakoff (Shaunavon)
Harry Jedlic, F.R.A.I.C. (Regina)
Dr. Margaret Kennedy (Saskatoon)
Although the Heritage Foundation is an arms-length Crown agency, the Foundation's operations fall within the responsibilities of the Minister of Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport. It's financial activites are reviewed annually by the Provincial Auditor's Office.
