Annual Planning & Grants
Planning
Setting annual goals and having an overall club strategic plan is essential for club sustainability and development.
What is a Strategic Plan?
A strategic plan is a comprehensive framework that outlines an organization’s long-term goals and the actions required to achieve them. It involves assessing the organization’s current state, defining its mission and vision, identifying core objectives, and along with the strategies needed to achieve them. The plan provides a high-level framework for decision-making and resource allocation, ensuring that all efforts are aligned with the organization’s overall direction, purpose and goals.
Tips and Tricks:
Planning for the Future: Creating and Implementing Strategic Plans
What is an Annual Plan?
An annual plan translates the strategic plan into specific, short-term actions and measurable objectives for a single year. It details the initiatives, timelines, budgets, and performance metrics needed to execute parts of the broader strategy. The annual plan serves as an operational guide, helping teams focus on immediate priorities while ensuring that their efforts contribute to the strategic goals. In essence, it bridges strategy and execution, turning long-term vision into actionable steps each year.
Clubs/Program leads and club stakeholders are encouraged to meet pre-season to set season goals and then in the off-season to review and make suggestions for future programming.
Questions To Ask In Annual Planning
- What are our membership objectives for the season? (Ex. number of members)
- What are the target demographics and potential partnerships in the area? (Ex. Ages of members/participants, local organizations to partner with)
- What programs does the club want to host?
- What coaches/instructors are available currently? Who needs to be recruited?
- What coach/instructor training is needed?
- What equipment is required?
- What is needed from CKS for supporting programming?
- What are the grant deadlines from CKS?
- What are important annual deadlines/timeframes?
- What platform will the club use for membership tracking? (Ex. RAMP) and participant reporting (ex. Excel spreadsheet)
For developing clubs, once your goals for the season are set, a club representative is encouraged to meet with the CKS Paddling Development Director (CKS PDD) to go over the goals and see what additional resources might be required or help with building connections for program development.
Resources
CKS provides clubs with resources to support their planning, funding and administration tasks.
Planning Documents Include:
- Strategic plan template
- Annual Plan template
- Club Season plan template
Grants
Grant funding is vital to CKS because it helps us grow the sport, support our athletes, and strengthen communities across the province. With grant support, we can provide better training opportunities, improve access to equipment and facilities, and deliver programs that inspire participation at every level, from beginners to high-performance paddlers. These funds allow us to expand outreach initiatives, promote safe and inclusive paddling environments, and host events that showcase the beauty and excitement of canoe and kayak sports. Ultimately, grant funding empowers CKS to continue building a vibrant paddling community and ensure the long-term development of the sport in our province.
CKS is funded by Sask Lotteries.
CKS is grateful to our external grant partnerships like: CIF, Jumpstart, CSJ, for their ongoing support.
CKS Grants
CKS Member Clubs may be eligible for grants through Canoe Kayak Saskatchewan. Your club will be notified about the eligibility in the fiscal year.
- Membership Assistance Program (MAP) grant
- Club Operating Grant
- Coach Development Grants
Please contact CKS for more information about what your club may be eligible for.
Sask Sport Annual Grants
- Adaptive (Participants with Disabilities)
- Hosting
- Indigenous Coaching and Officials Program
External Grants
This list is an ever growing resource of external grants. This list is not exhaustive. Always verify on the grant website for deadlines and requirements.
FAQ
How does CKS support clubs?
- Coordination – The CKS ED works with clubs maintains communication, regarding application deadlines,
- Sustainability & Growth – CKS Paddling Development Director (CKS PDD) works with club stakeholders to develop programs, find revenue sources/grants, and set development goals
- Funding – CKS coordinates funding opportunities from Sask Sport/Sask Lotteries.
- Insurance – CKS clubs and their members are a part of the CKS insurance policy (for more information, please contact the CKS ED ed@canoekayaksask.ca)
- Free Membership platform – Thanks to Canoe Kayak Canada, CKS member clubs can use RAMP as their registration portal for membership programs/sign up.
What resources does CKS help access?
- Funding through Sask Sport
- External funding (for clubs that aren’t able to apply on their own)
- Program development templates (see resources)
- Connections to other Provincial Sport Organizations (PSOs)
What funding opportunities are there?
CKS is a recipient of Sask Lotteries funding. CKS member clubs have access to a Membership Assistance Program grant as well as a Club Operating Grant.
There are additional grant opportunities through Sask Sport that CKS clubs are eligible to apply for. Please see the grant section above for more details.
CKS is an incorporated non-profit and can often apply for grants for Provincial or local initiatives. Please check out the available grants document and contact the CKS PDD for more information on what your club might be eligible to apply for.
Looking to start a new club? Contact the Paddling Development Director – cksaskpdd@gmail.com