General Questions

General Questions

1. What is The Cowan Foundation?

In 1995, The Cowan Foundation was activated in honour of Frank Cowan, our company founder. The Foundation is sustained due to the ongoing success of Cowan Insurance Group and Frank Cowan Company. Their continued success enables us to contribute to the broader well-being of our communities.

2. Where is The Foundation located?

The Foundation Office is located in Cambridge, Ontario.
Our mailing address is:
705 Fountain Street North
PO Box 1510
Cambridge, ON N1R 5T2

3. Where do I send the application form?

We have tried to make the application process as easy as possible. Please submit your application in any of the following ways:

1. Email it to: info@cowanfoundation.ca
2. Fax it to: 519-650-6369 Attn: Chris Van Os
3. Mail it to:
   The Cowan Foundation
   705 Fountain Street North
   PO Box 1510
   Cambridge, ON N1R 5T2
   

*If you are applying to the Inspiring Youth Action Program - you can also submit it to the schools where the programs are run.

4. What happens after I send in my application?

Your application is considered at the next scheduled meeting of The Community Betterment Committee or the Cowan Youth Committee. If further information is required, you will be contacted by email.

5. When can I expect to receive a response?

We appreciate your funding request but, due to the volume of requests we receive, we will only respond to those we wish to pursue.

If we are able to support your request, you will hear from us following the respective Board meeting at which your proposal was reviewed.

6. How can our organization be considered for a donation?

The Cowan Foundation has established separate programs, each with its own mandate, in order to focus our support in clear, meaningful and directed ways. Several programs do not accept applications - and donations are initiated on a proactive basis.

Currently, we accept applications through two Committees:

1. Community Betterment Committee - Application
2. Cowan Family Youth Committee - Inspiring Youth Action Program - Application

7. I don't have Microsoft Word installed on my computer. How can I view Word documents on the website?

If you would like to view and print the Word documents on this website, you can download the free Microsoft Word Viewer at: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/891090

8. I don't have Adobe Reader installed on my computer. How can I view PDF documents on the website?

You can download a free version of Adobe Reader by visiting: http://get.adobe.com/reader/

Community Betterment Committee

1. What is the Community Betterment Committee (CBC)?

The Community Betterment Committee reviews all applications from organizations in "Cowan Communities", and makes recommendations to The Cowan Foundation board for final approval.

2. Where are the Cowan Communities?

Currently, all Cowan Communities are in Ontario, Canada. They include:

1. Brant County
2. Oxford County
3. City of Hamilton
4. City of Stratford
5. City of Ottawa
6. Region of Waterloo

3. What are the deadlines for applying to the CBC?

Annually, proposals received by the 15th of the months of February, May, September and November will be considered at the meetings of the Community Betterment Committee by the end of the months of March, June, October and December respectively.

4. How often can I apply for a donation?

Organizations receiving funds through The Foundation should not apply for another grant for five years following the original disbursement.

Inspiring Youth Action Program

1. What is the Inspiring Youth Action Program?

The Inspiring Youth Action Program is an initiative of the Cowan Family Youth Committee (CFYC). Under this program, The Cowan Foundation will match, dollar for dollar, funds raised by an eligible and approved student group for a qualifying charity.

2. Is this program only offered through certain schools?

Yes. This program is offered through the schools attended by the CFYC members. Currently, those schools are:

1. Rockway Mennonite Collegiate, Kitchener, Ontario
2. St. John's Kilmarnock School, Breslau, Ontario
3. Southwood Secondary School, Cambridge, Ontario
4. Woodstock Collegiate Institute, Woodstock, Ontario

*Only students of the schools noted above are eligible to apply for consideration under this program.

3. Where can I get an application?

Applications are available at your School's front office. The Schools eligible for this program include:

1. Rockway Mennonite Collegiate, Kitchener, Ontario
2. St. John's Kilmarnock School, Breslau, Ontario
3. Southwood Secondary School, Cambridge, Ontario
4. Woodstock Collegiate Institute, Woodstock, Ontario

4. What are the deadlines for applying for a grant?

Applications must be received at least 15 days prior to the meeting dates of the Committee to be considered.

5. When does the Committee meet?

For the 2009-2010 school year, the Committee's meeting dates are as follows:

• Sunday, September 20th, 2009
• Sunday, November 29th, 2009
• Sunday, January 10th, 2010
• Sunday, March 7th, 2010
• Friday, April 30th, 2010
• Sunday, September 19th, 2010

6. What is the maximum amount of dollars you would match?

The maximum amount of a grant under this program is $1,000 per charitable organization.

7. What is the minimum amount you would match?

There is no minimum. We match dollar for dollar, any amount raised up to the maximum of $1,000.

8. What happens if I raise more than $1,000?

The maximum amount available as a match through this program is $1,000, but the charity will certainly benefit from any additional funds you raise.

9. How will the grants be provided?

A letter will be included from The Cowan Foundation that will acknowledge the students responsible for leading the fund raising effort and indicate that The Foundation's contribution is in response to their efforts. The letter, along with the cheque, may be provided to the Student leading the fundraising effort for delivery to the charity or may be mailed directly to the charity.