Request for Letters of Interest (LOI) – Manitoba 2008

Download the Template for the Letter of Interest (MS Word 238 Kb)

The Government of Canada, through the National Crime Prevention Centre (NCPC), provides time-limited project funding for evidence-based interventions that will attain measurable results towards preventing and reducing offending behaviour. Manitoba is currently accepting Letters of Interest (LOI) from organizations wishing to be considered for financial assistance for evidence-based crime prevention interventions.

Not all criminal behaviours and risk factors can be addressed at once; accordingly, joint federal/provincial priorities for Manitoba have been determined based on a review of crime trend data, identification of local crime problems with specific populations, and in high crime communities. Priority will be given to interventions that are designed to: address specific risk factors and strengthen protective factors among at-risk children and youth; deter recidivism among high-risk groups; and/or respond to crime by fostering prevention that reflects traditional culture and knowledge in Aboriginal communities.

In Manitoba, this Call for LOI welcomes proposals that will address specific risk factors linked to the following priority crime issues: youth gang prevention, prevention of crime related to substance abuse, and prevention of interpersonal violence. Assisting communities to respond to known risk and protective factors, and supporting capacity building as part of the implementation of innovative and promising culturally sensitive crime prevention practices in Aboriginal communities, on and off reserve, is of particular importance for NCPC and the Province of Manitoba. In addition, funding is available to support the dissemination of knowledge and the development of tools and resources for Aboriginal and northern populations.

For projects to be eligible for funding they must respond to one or more of the following NCPC priorities.  

• Address early risk factors among vulnerable children and youth at risk
• Respond to priority crime issues such as drug related crime and youth gangs
• Prevent high risk offenders in communities from reoffending
• Foster  prevention in Aboriginal communities that reflects traditional culture and knowledge

The use of model programs and promising practices in crime prevention is encouraged.   These model programs and promising practices have demonstrated results in other communities and may be of interest to your community.  You can find out more about model programs at http://www.ps-sp.gc.ca/res/cp/_fl/promising-programs-eng.pdf. (PDF 539 KB) We are also interested in learning about other models and what works in crime prevention.

Prior to submitting your letter of interest we request that you please contact the Manitoba Program Officer at 204-984-4376 to discuss your proposed project and to obtain more detailed information on promising models and practices.

Guidelines for Letters of Interest

What is a Letter of Interest?
A Letter of Interest (LOI) is a brief outline of an idea for a crime prevention project that organizations (sponsors) would like to operate in partnership with other groups, agencies and stakeholders in communities. The Template for Letters of Interest (LOI) is attached, and is designed to assist applicants in providing the basic information necessary for reviewers to select which project ideas will be invited for further development and funding consideration. The length of the Letters of Interest must be limited to five pages.

What types of projects are eligible for funding consideration?
Funds are being directed to multi-year projects that respond to Manitoba’s priority crime issues which must address specific risk factors and strengthen protective factors among at-risk families, children and youth; deter recidivism among high-risk groups; and/or foster prevention that reflects traditional culture and knowledge in Aboriginal communities. Applicants must also demonstrate they have community support and partners; they respond to a community need; they have the organizational capacity required to deliver their project; and will attain measurable results.

What types of organizations are eligible to apply for funding?
Organizations eligible to apply for funding include but are not limited to: Community-based networks and coalitions, volunteer and service organizations, educational institutions/boards of education, Aboriginal and not-for-profit organizations and Regional, Municipal and Aboriginal governments.

Please note that individuals, Crown Corporations and for-profit groups are not eligible.

What types of expenditures are eligible for funding?
All expenditures eligible for funding must show how they contribute to the stated objectives of the project. Eligible expenditures include personnel and training costs, transportation, equipment, material and supplies costs, and costs related to the evaluation of the project.

Costs not eligible for funding include expenditures related to ongoing operating expenses such as activities, programs or services that are normally carried out as part of an organization’s regular operation, and capital costs such as purchase of buildings, vehicles, or other major assets.

Please note the NCPC does not cover 100% of project costs. It is expected organizations and community partners will contribute to the cost of the project, either through financial support or donations of materials, supplies, services and volunteer time. As well, organizations must be prepared to secure other sources of funding for activities that will continue beyond the end of the project.

What essential information should a Letter of Interest contain?

• Evidence there is a need for the project from a crime prevention perspective (i.e. evidence of the crime issue your project intends to prevent and the associated risk factors you intend to address)
• Clear goals and objectives
• Cost of project and timelines
• Expected outcomes
• Evidence the project has committed partners (including local government and community policing) and strong community support

Please note Evaluation is essential for all projects funded by the National Crime Prevention Centre. The NCPC is committed to fund projects that will inform the development of promising or best practices. It is therefore expected that Letters of Interest recommended for full proposal development will have to include a detailed evaluation plan. The project will minimally be expected to conduct a process evaluation to ensure the program is being delivered as intended.

The NCPC may also choose to conduct an external evaluation of the impacts of selected projects. If this is the case, the groups will be expected to work cooperatively with an external evaluator. Regardless of the type of evaluation used for the project, time, resources, and personnel towards all components of the evaluation will be needed.

If a Letter of Interest is selected for further development, when is it expected to get underway?
Should a project be selected for further development, the information provided in this document will assist in the preparation of a full funding application consistent with NCPC funding guidelines. The National Crime Prevention Centre will contact applicants to inform whether their Letter of Interest has been selected for further development.
Please note any project costs incurred prior to receiving a formal notice of approval from the National Crime Prevention Centre, will not be eligible for reimbursement from project funds.

Once the Template for Letters of Interest (LOI) is completed, it must be sent by e-mail to the Program Officer listed below:

Lorna Monkman
Program Officer - Manitoba
700-310 Broadway Avenue
Winnipeg MB R3C 0S6
Telephone: 204-983-6395
Fax: 204-984-4882
E-mail: lorna.monkman@ps-sp.gc.ca