Sponsorship Policy
The purpose of this document is to specify policies regarding the sponsorship of seats in the Community Action and Learning (CAL) department’s learning programs. Sponsorship may involve the VNFC providing full or partial funding for participants.
Background
The VNFC is guided by and commits to the TRC Calls to Action (23, 57, 92) and DRIPA Action 3.1. These mandates require governments and corporations to provide staff reconciliation learning, including skills-based training in intercultural competency and anti-racism. The VNFC’s intention is for organizations mandated by these actions to cover the costs of their employees participating in the VNFC's learning programs. Here is the information regarding training mandates.
Cost
The VNFC requires that anyone employed and interested in full or partial sponsorship for CAL Programs first request professional development funds from their employer. If the employer does not agree to pay for an individual to attend, the VNFC can provide the individual with information about the TRC Calls to Action and DRIPA mandates in an effort to support their request for reconciliation-based professional development.
Those who are not granted professional development funds and cannot pay the costs themselves may fill out our Sponsorship Request Form.
VNFC covers sponsorship through donations and grants, which means sponsorship may be limited. Sponsorship decisions are influenced by a variety of factors including space, funding, sponsorship priorities, however, they are not merit based.
Sponsorship request forms will have deadlines set for each program cohort. VNFC will assess sponsorship request forms, and participants will be notified before the program's start date whether they have been awarded sponsorship or not. If a participant is not sponsored for the cohort they applied to, they can reapply for another cohort.
Sponsorship Priority for Indigenous Participants
In the spirit of supporting Indigenous communities’ own healing and learning journeys, VNFC strives to make CAL Programs as accessible as possible for Indigenous participants.
Indigenous participants who are employed are asked to request professional development funds from their employer to pay for CAL Programs prior to applying for VNFC sponsorship.
Any individuals who self-identify as Indigenous and who do not have access to professional development funds are prioritized for sponsorship by VNFC for all CAL department learning programs.
Any questions regarding these policies may be forwarded to [email protected].