Sask K of C Charitable Foundation

FIND THE FIT:
What Makes a Good Grant Opportunity?
Last week, we asked a simple question:
Who in Your Community Could Use Our Help?
We challenged Saskatchewan Knights and Councils to look around their parishes and communities, identify organizations doing important work, and start a conversation.
Perhaps your Council has already thought of someone. Perhaps a Brother Knight has suggested an organization. Perhaps that first conversation has already happened.
So what comes next?
The next question is:
Could This Be a Good Fit for Support from the Sask K of C Charitable Foundation?
Every year, the Foundation receives applications from organizations doing important work throughout Saskatchewan. Many worthwhile causes and genuine needs exist. The challenge is identifying projects that align with the Foundation’s charitable mission and can create meaningful impact.
That is what we mean by Find the Fit.
Start with the Need
A good grant opportunity does not begin with the question:
“How much money can we apply for?”
It begins with questions like:
“What need are we trying to address?”
“Who will benefit?”
“What difference could additional support make?”
If you’re a Council speaking with a local organization, you don’t need to determine whether a project will receive funding. You don’t need to write the application.
Instead, listen.
Ask about the challenge they are facing.
Ask who they are serving.
Ask what they would like to accomplish.
Ask what would become possible if additional support were available.
Those conversations often reveal whether an opportunity may be worth exploring further.
What Does a Good Fit Look Like?
The Grants & Bursaries Committee has identified several characteristics commonly found in strong grant opportunities.
Successful applications often demonstrate support for:

• The Catholic Church and Church-related ministries and charitable initiatives in Saskatchewan;
• community-based families and organizations serving local needs;
• projects that address ongoing or future needs, rather than providing only a short-term benefit;
• initiatives that have financial or volunteer support from other organizations, agencies, groups or individuals; and
• projects that have the support of a local Knights of Columbus Council and its members.

Strong applications also clearly explain the need being addressed, the people who will benefit and the difference the project will make.
In short, a strong application helps reviewers understand both the need and the impact.
What Can a Good Fit Look Like?
Sometimes the easiest way to recognize a potential opportunity is by looking at projects previously supported by the Foundation.
Examples identified by the Grants & Bursaries Committee include:

• Catholic Family Services, Prince Albert – Calming the Storm for Teens, an anger-management program for youth;
• St. Paul’s Hospital – support for a hospice canteen serving patients and families;
• Mother Teresa Middle School, Saskatoon – additional support for students from low-income families;
• Turning Point Youth Ministries, Meadow Lake – providing a safe and supportive environment for at-risk youth;
• Safe Families, North Battleford – helping stabilize families experiencing crises; and
• Teen Aid, Saskatoon – promoting chastity and healthy life choices among students.

These examples are varied, but they share a common theme.
Each addressed a real need in Saskatchewan and demonstrated the potential to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.
Councils: Your Role Is to Connect
It is important to remember that Councils are not being asked to decide who should receive grants.
That responsibility belongs to the Foundation.
The Council’s opportunity is much simpler:
Identify → Connect → Encourage → Support
Identify a need.
Connect with the organization.
Encourage them to explore Foundation funding opportunities.
Support them where appropriate.
The organization remains responsible for explaining its project and submitting its application directly to the Foundation.
A Few Important Reminders
When discussing Foundation grants with a potential applicant, Councils should remember:

• Projects must be Saskatchewan-based.
• Funding is intended for projects and activities taking place in Saskatchewan.
• The Foundation generally seeks opportunities where its contribution can make a meaningful and lasting impact.

Most importantly, Councils should never promise funding or imply that support from a Council guarantees approval. All applications are reviewed and evaluated through the Foundation’s established grant review process.
Looking Ahead
This month we are encouraging Knights, Councils and community organizations to:
See the Need.
Identify an opportunity.
Find the Fit.
Determine whether it may align with the Foundation’s charitable mission and priorities.
Next week we will focus on the next step:
Tell the Story:
Tell Us the Need, Not Just the Dollar Amount
Because even excellent projects can be difficult to evaluate if the application doesn’t clearly explain the need, the beneficiaries and the impact that funding will make possible.

ONE COUNCIL. ONE CONVERSATION. ONE OPPORTUNITY.
Last week we challenged every Council to start one conversation.
If you’ve started one, keep it going.
Ask about the need.
Ask who will benefit.
Ask what the organization hopes to accomplish.
Ask what difference additional support could make.
One conversation may reveal one opportunity.
And one opportunity may make a meaningful difference in someone’s life.

COULD THE FOUNDATION HELP SOMEONE IN YOUR COMMUNITY?
Councils and Knights: Know an organization, ministry or charitable project addressing an important need? Start the conversation.
Community organizations: Have a charitable project or unmet need? Explore our grant opportunities and begin your application.
2027 Grant Applications Are Now Open
Application Deadline: February 15, 2027
Visit the Sask K of C Charitable Foundation website for grant information and application forms:
https://saskkofc.foundation/application-forms/
See the Need. Find the Fit. Tell the Story. Apply Early.