| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Aug. 14, 2020 |
PORT DOVER– The Ontario government is investing $83 million through the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) to provide grants to help eligible non-profit organizations across the province, including branches of the Royal Canadian Legion, service clubs and conservation organizations, recover from the impacts of COVID-19 and continue to deliver the vital programming our community needs.
“These organizations serve a vital role in our community,” said Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett. “Many Legion branches, especially, have been struggling in recent years and COVID forced them to shut their doors temporarily. It is important to the community that Legion branches stay open and service clubs continue.”
The announcement was made recently by Premier Doug Ford and Lisa MacLeod, Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries.
“I am proud of the hundreds of volunteer organizations and thousands of volunteers who have stepped up over the last few months and shown the Ontario spirit in caring for others through these difficult times,” said Premier Ford. “We are proud to provide critical funding today to these local organizations, including our local Legion branches and food banks, to help strengthen our communities and help people rebuild their lives.”
The OTF’s Resilient Communities Fund will provide grants of up to $150,000 to help eligible non-profit organizations in Haldimand-Norfolk rebuild and recover from the impacts of COVID-19 with support for:
- Equipping board members and employees with supports to implement new approaches, prepare for change and build resiliency (e.g. organizational training and coaching, strategic planning and implementation, research & development, mental and physical health and wellbeing supports);
- Improving and increasing ability to access financial resources and develop new and/or alternative sources of revenues (e.g. develop fundraising plans, identify fundraising and financial technology resources, seek opportunities for public-private partnerships and social finance);
- Adapting or re-imagining the delivery of programs and services to meet the needs of the community, employees and volunteers (e.g. identify new health and safety processes and required personal protective equipment; technology supports; staffing and volunteer recruitment and training);
- Procuring equipment or renovating spaces to meet the changing needs of the organization; its programs and services, and adapt to new ways of working (e.g. equipment and/or renovations to meet changing technology health and safety, and service delivery requirements); and
- Creating and/or adopting new approaches for organizations to work together to meet the needs of communities (e.g. peer learning, professional development, networking, resource, knowledge and data sharing).
“The Resilient Communities Fund is a tremendous example of the innovation and flexibility of Ontario agencies,” added Minister MacLeod. “While we work towards the province’s economic and social recovery, we’re proud to support programs like the OTF Resilient Communities Fund that are making a positive contribution in communities across Ontario.”
For more information, please visit the Ontario Trillium Foundation website on eligibility requirements and application deadlines.
QUICK FACTS
- The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is an agency of the Government of Ontario, and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations.
- OTF awarded $115 million to 645 projects last year to build healthy and vibrant communities in Ontario.
- OTF has redirected provincial funding previously allocated for the 2020 Grow and Capital grant streams into the one-time, $83 million Resilient Communities Fund.
- Provincial funding delivered through the Ontario Trillium Foundation supports the arts, culture, heritage, sports and recreation, human and social services, and environment sectors.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Ontario’s Action Plan: Responding to COVID-19
Visit Ontario’s website to learn more about how the province continues to protect Ontarians from COVID-19.
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For more information, contact MPP Toby Barrett at 519-428-0446 or toby.barrett@pc.ola.org