Travel Assistance Program

Two New TAP Applications: Revised Jan 11, 2011

Individual TAP Application click here

Group TAP Application click here

Gwaii Trust Society established a Travel Assistance Program to assist Haida Gwaii residents to travel for Educational, Cultural, Arts, Sports and Senior Events understanding the costs to travel on and off of Haida Gwaii is expensive.  This program is a match funding program meant to assist travellers but not pay for entire travel for residents.  There are two categories for applications, individuals and groups.  However, both programs are funded from the same annual budget. 

This program may also be access to fund eligible travel costs for bringing “expertise” on-island for educational purposes, art, cultural, sports, seniors and special needs.
Open to all residents of Haida Gwaii, a resident is defined as someone who has lived on Haida Gwaii for the 12 continuous months prior to application.  * Note this rule also applies to all other programs available under the Gwaii Trust Society’s granting programs.

The budget for this program is set annually and in order for funding availability throughout the year, the Gwaii Trust has divided annual funding into quarters.  Respondents are funded on a first come, first serve basis with funding available, as long as there are funds left in the quarterly budget. 

This program cannot be used in conjunction with any other program from the Gwaii Trust Society. * Note this rule also applies to all other programs available under the Gwaii Trust Society’s granting programs.

Each resident is eligible for a maximum of two (2) trips per Gwaii Trust fiscal year (A Gwaii Trust fiscal year runs from Sep 01st to Aug 31st)

Only completed applications received two (2) weeks prior to departure will be considered for this program.
It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure the application is complete and provides all supporting documents.

In order to receive future funding for this program, a final accounting and report must be done prior to being considered for future funding.  This includes copies of receipts of expenses and goals achieved by the trip report.

General Guide to Individual and Group Applicants
The TAP will run from September 1st, to August 31st, each year. The funding available is $150,000.00 for the 2010/2011 fiscal year. ($37,500.00 per quarter) All applications will be approved on a first-come, first-serve basis, per quarter. Any funds not expended within the quarter will be carried forward into the following quarter, however no excess funds will carry forward into the following fiscal year.
All applicants must include the following information in the submission to the TAP:

  1. Letter of Support/endorsement from recognized organization (club, team, or group);
  2. An essay describing the “Goals to be achieved by the travel activity”.
  3. Proof of matching funds or a prepaid receipt that is half of the entire budget.
  4. A detailed itinerary of trip.
  5. Cost quotes for the trip, only the quotes included in the package will be considered for the budget.
  6. A copy of formal invitation or confirmation of registration to the event.

Upon returning from their trip, the following must be done prior to future consideration from this program:

  • Submit copies of the travel receipts and final account of the trip after the travel has taken place;
  • A detailed budget for the proposed of off-island trip or for bringing "expertise" on-island;
  • Must submit application two weeks prior departure.

Individual Travel Assistance
Gwaii Trust is a match funding program to assist individuals for off-island travel for up to $250.00 per trip.  Each individual is eligible for two (2) trips per year.  

Group Travel Assistance Program
Gwaii Trust is a match funding program to assist individuals for off-island travel for up to $2,000.00 per trip.  Each group is eligible for two (2) trips per year.  

Youth Individual Travel
Gwaii Trust Society supports our Island youth traveling and has a policy where the youth are not limited to the 2 trips a year.  Gwaii Trust defines a youth as any individual 18 years or younger.
All Youth are still required to complete their final accounting and report before any future funding is considered.

Youth Group Travel
Gwaii Trust Society supports our Island youth traveling and has a policy where the youth are not limited to the 2 trips a year.  .
Recognized Youth groups are eligible for on-island travel.  It is the same criteria as off-island travel.
Groups are still required to complete their final accounting and report before any future funding is considered.

School Group
Student group travel for school events will be permitted outside the parameters of this policy with the following additional requirements: No restriction on the number of travel times per students.  The maximum per group is $2,000.00

Frequently Asked Questions:

  • What types of travel does the TAP program assist?

Travel for individuals or groups that are for cultural, arts, sports and senior related events.  Essentially, a trip whose objective is related to any of the above categories and or contains an educational component relevant to the participants will be considered.

  • My employer is paying my expenses for my trip, am I still eligible for the TAP program?

No, TAP is an out-of-pocket program that matches funds that you pay for your trips.  If your employer is paying for expenses and registration, TAP will not be approved.

  • I took my trip last week and I didn’t know about the TAP program, can I still apply?

No, applications will not be approved for trips that were taken already.  No exceptions.

  • I didn’t get my application within the 2 weeks prior deadline, can it be processed?

There will be no exceptions for incomplete TAP applications received less than 2 weeks to departure date. It is the responsibility of the applicant to send a complete application ahead of time.

  • What documents do need to be sent in with the applications?
  • Cost quotes of accommodations and travel (only quotes included will be considered in the budget);
  • confirmation of registration or formal invitation to the event;
  • essay of “goal to achieve on the travel trip”;
  • detailed budget of out-of-pocket expenses;
  • Itinerary of trip from departure date to return date and complete application.

Applications missing any of the above noted information will be consider incomplete, and as such the application will be set aside until all documents are received.  The application will not be considered “received” until all requested information has been received.  All documents must be received more than 2 weeks prior to departure.

  • I want to travel with a group, what are the rules for the number of trips approved per year?

2 trips per year are approved.  If you traveled once, your application will be approved.  If you have traveled 2 times this fiscal year, your name will be removed from the group when processing.

  • What are considered matching funds?

Matching funds means the Gwaii Trust Society is willing to pay 50% of the costs you incur for your trip.  The maximum funding per trip is $250 per individual or maximum $2,000 per group.

  • How many trips are funded per fiscal year?

Two trips for adults, there are no limits for the youth.  A final trip report must be completed prior to any future funding through this program.

  •  My arts application was approved to attend a workshop, can I apply for TAP as well?

No, funding from 2 programs at Gwaii Trust will not be permitted. 

  • When will I find out when my application is approved?

Generally, applications take a week to process.  You will find out a week before departure, at the latest.  Your funds will be paid prior to your trip.

Important Message

When applying to any of Gwaii Trust Programs
You must fill out an online application.
Please submit all supporting documentation on the same day, missing information will be considered an incomplete application. Time: 4:30 pm cutoff. Forward all letters of support, proof of income and expense and cost quotes to forms@gwaiitrust.com or fax to the Old Massett Office at 250-626-3261 Attention Project Officer. Please call the Old Massett office if you have any questions or if you are having problems submitting the application. The two week in advance submission applies to all of our open programs. Our regular programs have deadline dates assigned to them (please refer to "latest news" or programs & applications for more information.
* All submissions submitted well in advance of the program deadline are greatly appreciated.  This allows time for the project officers to contact applicants for compliance should any assistance be required prior to Board review.

Once your application has been approved please print off a direct deposit banking form and submit it to Project Officer at the Old Massett office.