What is a Swim to Survive+ School Program grant?
A Swim to Survive+ grant may only be used to help provide a minimum of 3 in-water Swim to Survive+ lessons to Grade 7 children within an elementary school program, during school hours. Grant funds may be used to help defray the costs of:
- transporting students between school and pool
- instructor costs
- aquatic facility rental costs
The Lifesaving Society aims to reach as many Ontario Grade 7 students as possible with Swim to Survive+ training. Because grant funds are limited, the Society is relying upon the generosity of participating school boards and their partners to support this program with matching service and in-kind sponsorship.
Who may apply for a grant?
Any Ontario school board with its own aquatic facilities is eligible to apply. So too is a partnership of school boards or schools with others like regional governments, municipalities, and aquatic facilities.
We encourage all Ontario school boards to apply. The Lifesaving Society will accept applications from individual elementary schools in districts where the school board is not participating.
How are grants approved?
The program will be introduced on a regional rollout basis given the limited funding available. It is expected that demand will exceed available funds.
Effort will be made to allocate grants within each region to both rural and urban locations, separate and public school boards, English and French school boards.
Evaluation criteria
The Lifesaving Society will only fund applicants who have the capacity to execute the Swim to Survive+ School Program successfully. Priority will be given to:
- incorporated organizations such as school boards, schools, municipalities, YMCAs
- boards and schools with confirmed access to aquatic facilities
- applicants with additional cash or in-kind support for transportation, facility and instructional staff costs in addition to the Lifesaving Society grant
In reviewing applications, the Lifesaving Society will evaluate:
- community support including volunteer time, contributions from other organizations, cash or in-kind support from corporate sponsors or individual donors
- grant-per-student ratio. Because the Society aims to deliver survival training to as many students as possible, the grant-per-student becomes an important factor in maximizing the impact of the available funds.
- ability to provide proof of insurance coverage for participants during transportation and during in-water lessons
PLEASE NOTE: due to limited funding, a maximum of $16 per student will be granted. If costs exceed $16 per student, applicants are responsible to cover the additional expenses.
:::
When may I apply?
The Lifesaving Society will accept applications one time per year. We will confirm approval in writing within six weeks of receipt of the applications and post the names of successful applicants on our website.
Application Deadline: June 30, 2023
Notification Deadline: TBD
May I apply more than once?
At present there are limited funds available, if further funding becomes available applicants may apply again, but not for the same students who were funded previously.
How do I apply?
Complete and submit the application form.
Only those authorized by the organization(s) named in the application are to sign the application form. By signing the application form, applicants agree that the information provided is complete and accurate and also understand that the information provided by the application to the Lifesaving Society will be used in the administration of funds from the swim to survive grant.
When is grant money paid?
The Lifesaving Society releases grant funds only after completion of the Swim to Survive+ Program and once the Society has received the required final reports: Listed below are the reports that are required for reimbursement:
- Grant Request report signed by a contact for the board of education / school / aquatic facility
- Activity Report signed by the contact for the board of education / school / aquatic facility
Only those authorized by the organization(s) named in the application are to sign the Grant Request Report and Activity Report. The Society will also be looking for the feedback forms from the school teacher(s) and swim instructor(s). Feedback forms from participants and their parents are also welcome.
Approved grants will be revoked if the Grant Reimbursement Report and Activity Report are not received by the Lifesaving Society within 24 months of School Program completion.
Questions?
If you have questions about the program or application, email Lifesaving Society Public Education Manager Lori Groves.
(Phone) 416-490-8844
(Fax) 416-490-8766.