Audit Services Invitation to Tender

The Clayoquot Biosphere Trust Society (CBT) is requesting tenders from qualified firms of public accountants to audit the financial statements of the CBT for the year ending December 31, 2021, and if a contract is assigned for each fiscal year ending during that period.

Any inquiries concerning the request for tenders should be directed to Rebecca Hurwitz, Executive Director. 

The tender must be received by Rebecca Hurwitz at PO Box 67, Tofino BC, V0R 2Z0 or electronically at rebecca@clayoquotbiosphere.org by 4:30 pm on Friday, November 19, 2021. Those presented will be evaluated by a special committee selected by the Board of Directors of the Society. 

It is anticipated the selection of a firm will be completed by Thursday, December 9, 2021.  Download a PDF of this Audit Services Invitation to Tender Document

1) About the CBT 

The Clayoquot Biosphere Trust (CBT), designated under the UNESCO Biosphere Program, was incorporated under the Society Act (British Columbia) to provide support for local projects related to increasing local capacity, knowledge, participation and innovation through research, education, and training initiatives for the sustainable development of the Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Region in 2000. The society is registered under section 149(1)(j) of the Income Tax Act (Canada) and is exempt from income taxes.  

The CBT is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors, currently comprised of up to 10 Primary Directors, and up to 9 Alternate Directors which normally meets 7 times per year. 

2) Financial Position 

In 2000 CBT received a $12 million endowment fund (Canada Fund) which was provided by the Government of Canada. Pursuant to the Canada Fund Agreement dated May 5, 2000, the Canada Fund is legally obligated to maintain the equivalent level of the original $12 million over its life including annual cost-of-living adjustments for inflation. As of December 31, 2020, the Canada Fund Investment was valued at $17,717,775. 

Income from the Canada Fund is also the main source to support CBT programs and initiatives, aside from grants, and financial agreements with program partners. The annual operating budget is approved by the board of directors as part of the strategic/business planning process. Over the past decade, the operating budget has increased as the Canada Fund, and the capacity and programs of the CBT, grew from $590,450 in 2010, to $1,245,140 in 2020. 

As a community foundation, the CBT works with donors to create a diversity of endowment funds. As of 2020, the CBT administers nine funds with a total fund balance of 1,260,422 as of Dec 31, 2020. 

All endowment funds are managed by Vancouver-based Genus Capital Management and is invested using a fossil fuel free mandate. Genus meets regularly with the CBT’s investment committee, industry specialists who volunteer as CBT investment advisors. 

Audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020, and other governing documents can be found on the CBT website (https://clayoquotbiosphere.org/about-us/board-of-directors). 

3) Nature of services required and Key dates 

The CBT Board and Management desire the auditor to express an opinion on the fair presentation of the general-purpose financial statements in all material respects. The audit shall be performed in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards as set forth by the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants. The CBT follows Canadian accounting standards for not-for-profit organizations and uses Community Suite fund accounting software to prepare financial statements and to report on their various funds. 

Following the completion of the audit of the fiscal year’s financial statements, the auditor shall issue a report on the fair presentation of the financial statements. 

The auditor shall also communicate in a letter to management an evaluation of internal control and areas of concern or weaknesses encountered during the audit, as well as recommendations for improvement. 

Key dates: 

  • Financial year end – December 31st 
  • Submission of year-end financial reports and supporting documentation to auditor – mid-February 
  • Completion of field work – mid-March 
  • Delivery of draft audit report and draft financial statements, management letter and post audit report – late March/early April 
  • Presentation of audit report and findings to CBT board – late April 
  • Presentation of audit report and findings at AGM – late May 

4) Tender Format and Process 

The format and content of the tender submission is left to the discretion of the invited firm but must, as a minimum, address the requirements below. 

  • License to perform audits from the Public Accounting Board of British Columbia. 
  • A commitment for providing reasonable annual continuity of experienced and qualified personnel. 
  • A commitment to meeting all reporting deadlines. 
  • The resources available to address the scope of the audit services required. 
  • Not-for-profit sector experience and expertise. 
  • An efficient approach to the audit, including an annual review of internal controls. 

Selection of a suitable audit firm for appointment as auditor will be based upon the following criteria which should specifically be addressed in the tender submission: 

  • Provide a brief description of your firm. 
  • Describe your experience in auditing not-for-profit or charitable organizations. 
  • Provide names, qualifications and bios of personnel who would be assigned to the CBT, and where they would be located. 
  • Provide a description of your approach to the audit and any special conditions. 
  • Provide an estimate of the anticipated hours, broken down by individual to be assigned or by responsibility level. 
  • Provide the names of three references who we may contact. 
  • Please detail all fees, including expenses, associated with the services being proposed.  

Contact 

Proposals can be mailed to Clayoquot Biosphere Trust, Rebecca Hurwitz, PO Box 67, Tofino BC, V0R 2Z0 or send electronically to rebecca@clayoquotbiosphere.org. 

Deadline for submission is 4:30 pm on Friday, November 19, 2021 

Note that in the selection process the lowest tender in terms of all-inclusive maximum cost will not necessarily be accepted. 

Vital Grants - Looking Back & Looking Forward

January 18, 2023
Five years ago, CBT launched Vital Grants: a stream of partnership funding to address regional priorities and complex challenges that influence sustainability in the Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Region. Vital Grants were launched in response to grantee feedback that small grants (e.g. $5000) and short timelines make it difficult to address larger issues

Join our team as Director of Partnerships for Conservation

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Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director of Partnerships for Conservation will build out a new role collaborating with partners on conservation projects, as well as leading research, planning, and engagement activities linked to the Clayoquot Sound UNESCO Biosphere designation and Canada Target 1. The individual participates in relevant networks and committees aligned with key projects and contributes to the objectives of the Canada Fund Agreement, the MAB Statutory Framework and the MAB Lima Action Plan.

The 2022 Holiday Giving Catalogue is here

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Living Building Challenge

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2022 Discretionary Grants

September 6, 2022
Each year, the CBT provides funding up to $5,000 for small projects that promote the health of individuals, communities and ecosystems throughout the Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Region. Each granting stream is overseen by an advisory committee of local volunteers who have an interest and expertise related to the grant.

Announcing Spring 2022 Neighbourhood Small Grants !

June 14, 2022
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Biosphere Centre: moving forward on the land in a good way

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On June 2nd, the CBT board, staff, and partners gathered at the future site of the Clayoquot Biosphere Centre for a small ceremony led by Tla-o-qui-aht cultural workers Chris and Hayden Seitcher. The intentions were simple yet profound: to reflect with gratitude on the work done to bring the Biosphere Centre initiative where it is today and to envision the next phase of the project.

CBT Granting Update and Equity Pathway

February 22, 2022
We continue to reflect on key learnings from our UNESCO periodic review, our Vital Signs research, and the pandemic. We’ve committed to work with volunteers, First Nations, communities, and partners on making CBT a more equity-driven organization: in our granting program, in our organizational culture, and beyond.

The Coastal Family Resource Coalition is hiring

February 22, 2022
The Coastal Family Resource Coalition (CFRC) is looking to hire a qualified proponent to provide leadership capacity and coordination services for the CFRC, a regional network coordinated and administered by the CBT and guided by the CFRC Executive Committee. 

We're looking for a new team member

February 15, 2022
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Seeking a contractor to support research and communication for the Indigenous-led Westcoast Stewardship Corridor

February 4, 2022
The CBT is supporting the establishment of an Indigenous-led Stewardship Corridor. We are looking for a contractor (individual or firm) to create an inventory of existing Indigenous-led stewardship and resource management activities and collaborations on the west coast of Vancouver Island (VI) (from T’Sou-ke Nation to the Clayoquot Biosphere Region) and the vision forward for a collaborative stewardship corridor.

Join our team as an At-Large Director

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2021 Discretionary Grants

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Every year, the CBT provides small project funding (up to $5,000) in the following four areas: Research and Environment, Community Development, Arts and Culture, and Youth and Education. Each granting stream is built upon different funding priorities and overseen by its own Advisory Committee comprised of 12-15 local volunteers with interest and expertise relevant to the specific grant.

2021 Youth Action Grants

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Our Youth Action Grants are one of the ways we fulfil our priority of Empowering Youth in the region. This is our 7th year offering youth-led grants and we are always inspired by the creative projects and their beneficial ripple effects in the community.

New Nelly Heyduck Art Collaboration

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Announcing the 2021 Vital Grant Awards

June 24, 2021
Our Vital Grant program began in 2018 with the goal to address regional priorities and complex challenges influencing sustainability in the Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Region. These $15,000-20,000 grants support meaningful collaboration between organizations, communities and cultures and must include a minimum of two project partners. This year, the CBT also reviewed Vital Grant applications with an equity lens by considering whether projects addressed regional social and health inequities.