1. Foundations and What They Look for: Beyond the Grant Proposal Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) Carrie Butcher, Program Manager November 1, 2010 OCASI Executive Directors Forum 2010

2. Focus of Presentation

• Introduction to the Ontario Trillium Foundation (including grant examples)

• 2. What OTF looks for in Grant Applications

• 3. Questions and Answers

OCASI Executive Directors Forum 2010

3. Grant Examples

• After-school, intergenerational arts and culture programs for newcomers

• Green settlement

• Recreational and environmental programming that supports settlement goals

• Capital grants: facilities renovation, green roofs, musical equipment etc.

OCASI Executive Directors Forum 2010

4. About OTF Agency of Government of Ontario (public foundation) 1,400+ grants made by 300+ volunteers across Ontario each year Granting sectors: arts and culture, environment, human and social services and sports and recreation Applicants encouraged to link two or more sectors. OCASI Executive Directors Forum 2010

5. OTF Mission

• Building healthy and vibrant communities throughout Ontario by strengthening the capacity of the voluntary sector, through investments in community-based initiatives.

OCASI Executive Directors Forum 2010

6. OTF Priorities

• Enhanced success for students and learners

• Healthier and more physically active Ontarians

• Enhanced employment and economic potential for workers and their families

• More effective volunteers and more people engaged in their communities

OCASI Executive Directors Forum 2010

7. Example of a Local Priority: Toronto Grant Review Team

• Lower-income neighbourhoods

• The inner suburbs

• Youth

• Suggested Reading: United Way of Greater Toronto and Canadian Council on Social Development, Poverty By Postal Code

OCASI Executive Directors Forum 2010

8. OTF Grants

• Time-limited grants that have a lasting impact in communities across Ontario.

• Grants are awarded for capital, operating and other project costs.

OCASI Executive Directors Forum 2010

9. Granting streams

• Community Grants and Province-Wide Grants

• Future Fund Grants

• Community Capital Fund

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10. Community Grants

• The maximum request is $375,000 over five years. Within this amount of $375,000:

• The maximum capital request: $150,000 over the duration of the grant. The maximum non-capital request is $75,000 in any year.

• The average grant size in Toronto is just under $100,000.

OCASI Executive Directors Forum 2010

11. Province-Wide Grants

• 20% of OTF grant allocation for proposals that have a province-wide impact (at least three of OTFs geographic catchment areas or two in the north)

• Applications are reviewed and recommended for funding by a committee of our Board of Directors

OCASI Executive Directors Forum 2010

12. Community Capital Fund

• $50 million in Government of Ontario funding for infrastructure stimulus projects

• Eligibility: charities and not-for-profit organizations that serve diverse cultural communities

• CCF will fund up to 50% of total project costs ($20,000 up to $500,000)

OCASI Executive Directors Forum 2010

13. Future Fund

• Will support $2M in a portfolio of initiatives that support and enable youth to explore and pursue meaningful economic opportunities.

• Call 1.800.263.2887 ext. 201 for OTF Future Fund staff or email: [email_address]

OCASI Executive Directors Forum 2010

14. Competitive Process

• • Each year approximately 1,500 grants are awarded

• • Across Ontario last year, approximately $3.50 is requested for every $1 that OTF has available

• • Demand for funds is generally highest in the City of Toronto

OCASI Executive Directors Forum 2010

15. Eligible Applicants

• • Registered charity

• • Incorporated Not-for-Profit

• • Branches or chapters of registered charities or incorporated not-for-profits

• • First Nations (by council resolution)

• • Municipality pop. < 20,000

• • Collaboratives containing at least one eligible organization

OCASI Executive Directors Forum 2010

16. OTF does not fund

• Duplication of funding

• Activities outside of Ontario

• Municipalities > 20,000

• Universities, Colleges, Schools, Hospitals

• Religious activities

• New buildings

• See full list in our Program Guidelines

OCASI Executive Directors Forum 2010

17. Grant Review Process

• • Applications are assessed in relation to:

• • eligibility of applicant

• • eligibility of initiative

• • extent to which an OTF granting priority is addressed

• • local priorities

• • organizational assessment criteria

• • application assessment criteria

• • available funding

OCASI Executive Directors Forum 2010

18. Assessment Criteria: The Organization

• • The organization demonstrates that it has:

• • an elected volunteer board representative of the community

• • relevant mandate, proven track record, good operating systems

• • the ability to carry out the activity and achieve the desired results

OCASI Executive Directors Forum 2010

19. Assessment Criteria: The Organization (continued)

• • The organization demonstrates that it has:

• • responsiveness to community needs

• • a history of partnering with other organizations

• • need for OTF funding

• • capacity to manage funds requested (including realistic relationship between the request amount and the organizations actual revenues)

OCASI Executive Directors Forum 2010

20. Assessment Criteria: The Proposal

• • The proposal demonstrates:

• • clear measurable benefits to the community

• • significant need for OTF funding

• • sustainability or lasting impact

• • greater accessibility to activities, programs, venues (physical, financial, etc.)

OCASI Executive Directors Forum 2010

21. Assessment Criteria: The Proposal

• • The proposal demonstrates:

• • community support (cash, in-kind contributions, volunteers)

• • that OTF is the appropriate funder

• • support from people who are knowledgeable about the sector, the community and/or the proposal

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22. Application Deadlines

• • March 1

• • July 1

• • November 1

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23. Tip

• Be clear about the change that your project will create and how the community will benefit

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24. Tip

• Write who, what, why, when, where and how much in 50 words or less, for example:

• $25,000 over 6 months to enhance ecosystem health by reducing the use of pesticides in Peterborough by holding 9 workshops, in 4 languages, on organic gardening and composting, involving 450

• local residents.

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25. Reflection: Grant Examples

• Green settlement

• Recreational and Environmental programming that supports settlement goals

• Capital for facilities renovation, including green roofs

• Capital grant for musical equipment

OCASI Executive Directors Forum 2010

26. To learn more: www.trilliumfoundation.org

• Read the Program Guidelines

• Register your organization online

• • Review: Application Form, Tools and Tips and Grants Archive

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27. Questions and Answers

• www.trilliumfoundation.org

Presentation Title OCASI Executive Directors Forum 2010