Volunteering with community groups

FAQ - Eligibility

How can I find out if the organization where I volunteer is registered?
You can access Revenue Canada's list of registered charitable organizations in Canada at www.ccra-adrc.gc.ca/charities or call 1 888 892-5667 or at (613) 954-6215. Please note that not all registered charities are eligible under the Volunteering component of our Employee Giving Program. You may also refer to the list of charities who have already received support (PDF 114 KB - Mar 3, 2008) from our program.

What organizations are excluded?
The program complements Bell's corporate donations policy, which excludes religious, political, sectarian or advocacy groups; private schools; and umbrella charitable organizations such as United Way/Centraide and their chapters. However, registered charities that receive support from United Way/Centraide or other umbrella organizations, and are not otherwise excluded, are eligible.

Who is eligible to participate in the Volunteer Grant Program?
Employees throughout Bell (Bell Canada, Bell Mobility, BIMS, BDI, Bell TV, Bell West, BCE, BCECS, Bell Conferencing and Bell Security Solutions Inc.), including temporary and part-time employees, are eligible, as well as all Bell retirees.

If the organization I volunteer for is not eligible under the Employee Volunteer Program, could it be eligible for a corporate donation?
Because the same criteria applies to the volunteer segment of the Employee Giving Program and Bell's corporate donations program, the organization would not be eligible for a corporate donation.

If the organization I volunteer for receives a grant under the Employee Volunteer Program, does that prevent it from receiving other potential support from Bell (i.e., a corporate donation)?
No.

What is the relationship between the Employee Volunteer Program and Bell's Community Investment Program and Corporate Sponsorship?
The Employee Volunteer Program and Community Investment Program are distinct from Corporate Sponsorships, which are commercial in nature. Corporate Sponsorships involve underwriting events (for example, the Canadian Open) to further business objectives, enhance brand awareness and support sales of products and services. The Community Investment Program supports communities across Canada to help them become stronger and more vibrant.

FAQ - Applying for a grant

What are the grant limits?
Individual grants are set at $500 and team grants at $2,500. There is a limit of one grant per employee or retiree per calendar year. The maximum total grant for an organization is $2,500 per calendar year.

What is the deadline for applications?
The deadline is November 30th for the current year. A final window to apply for a grant will be opened from January 1st to the 15th of the following year to allow those who have accumulated their eligible hours between Nov 30th and Dec 31st.

If I volunteer with a team that receives a grant, can I also apply for an individual grant for other organizations I support?
No. There is a limit of one grant per employee per calendar year, either on your own or as a member of a team.

If I volunteer for a charity that has many branches across Canada, does the $2,500 limit apply to my local chapter or to the organization as a whole, at the national level?
The limit is applied per registration number (15 digits) for each organization registered with the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency.

What happens if I submit a team application for an organization that has already received some individual grants? Will the organization still get the $2,500 team grant?
Because the limit per calendar year per organization is $2,500, the organization will receive the amount remaining after taking into account the amount it has already received in individual grants.

If I volunteer more than 50 hours in a given year, will the organization receive a larger grant?
No. The grant limits are set at $500 for an individual grant.

Are there any restrictions on how the organization can use the grant money?
Organizations are free to use the grant money for projects or for general operating expenses, without restriction.

If I miss the deadline, can I carry over my hours to next year and apply then?
No. You need to apply for a grant in the calendar year in which you volunteered the hours. Grants are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. In the interest of fairness, hours cannot be carried over to the following year.

Can an organization apply for a grant?
No, only Bell employees and retirees can apply for a grant. In their grant application, employees and retirees must provide the name and telephone number of a representative of the organization that Bell can call for further details if necessary.

I'd like the organization where I volunteer to benefit from a grant, but I consider my work there to be a personal matter and I'm concerned about confidentiality. Will my privacy be respected if I apply for a grant?
All applicant information is strictly confidential. While aggregate information will be compiled about the program (total number of applications, number accepted, types of causes/charities), no information about individual applicants will be released without the employee or retiree's consent.

How does a team apply for a grant?
You can apply for a grant by simply completing the online form or by downloading the Grant Application Form (PDF 145 KB - Dec 15, 2008).

If my application is approved, how long will it take to issue the cheque?
Approximately 4-6 weeks.

Will the cheque be sent directly to the organization where I volunteer?
All the cheques will be sent directly to the applicant for presentation to the organization.

How can the company know whether I've put in the required number of hours?
The volunteer segment of the Employee Giving Program is based on the honour system. However, because there is grant money involved, Bell reserves the right to perform audits of the information submitted.