Grant Name: Resilient Communities Fund
Status:
Active
Deadline:
April 6, 2022, at 5 PM ET
Description
This fund supports the recovery efforts of organizations impacted by COVID-19 and helps them respond with immediate, medium, and longer-term recovery projects.
- Applicants can apply for a minimum of $10,000, and up to $200,000, with a maximum of $100,000 per year.
- Application period is from March 9 until April 6, 2022 at 5 PM ET.
Resilient Communities Fund grants support projects that help rebuild an organization’s capacity, enhance their resiliency, and meet the changing needs of their communities. Projects should be focused on:
- developing new approaches;
- starting new activities;
- adjusting strategies, or
- planning for future challenges
Discover more about this fund below and if your organization is eligible for funding.
Eligibility
An applicant needs to be a community-based organization delivering services and programs in Ontario that is looking ahead to recovery planning with the aim of rebuilding their capacity.
Organization requirements
The following applicants are eligible for funding:
- A charitable organization or public foundation registered as a charity by the Canada Revenue Agency
- An organization incorporated as a not-for-profit corporation without share capital in a Canadian jurisdiction
- A First Nation / Metis / Inuit or other Indigenous community
- A municipality with a population of 20,000 or less, or their cultural and recreational agencies, including public libraries and museums
A municipality with a population of 20,000 or less is eligible to:
- apply for funding in OTF’s Active People Action Area fostering more active lifestyles, or in OTF’s Inspired People Action Area supporting arts, culture and heritage projects; and
- apply for its cultural or recreation agencies, including municipal libraries and museums.
Applicants must also meet the following requirements:
- Adhere to OTF’s Anti-Discrimination Policy, Eligibility Policy, and Financial Need and Health Applicants Policy.
- OTF has no concerns with the organization’s OTF granting history for all past applications, either approved or declined.
Review the Eligibility Policy for all eligibility criteria.
Policy requirements
Our policies define eligibility for OTF funding and outline exclusions. Funds are granted to eligible applicants delivering eligible project activities that directly align with OTF’s Resilient Communities Fund outcomes.
Financial statement requirements
While all organizations must meet OTF’s Financial Statement requirements, Municipalities, First Nation, Métis, Inuit, or other Indigenous communities are not required to submit financial statements with their grant application.
- Organizations must upload their most recent completed financial statements based on their fiscal year-end date and total revenues.
- Additional information pertaining to a surplus or deficit will need to be uploaded along with the financial statements, if applicable.
- Organizations must have at least one year of financial history from their incorporation or charitable registration date based on their organization’s fiscal year-end date.
- Financial statements must be Board approved (draft statements are not accepted).
- Financial statements must be completed within 12 months of the organization’s most recent fiscal year-end. For the April 6, 2022, deadline:
-
- 2020 financial statements are required (including 2019 comparative details) if your organization’s fiscal year-end date falls between April 1 and December 31
- 2021 financial statements are required (including 2020 comparative details) if your organization’s fiscal year-end date falls between January 1 and March 31
Review additional financial statements requirements
Collaborative’s eligibility
We recognize and support collaborative arrangements that will achieve positive community impact.
Read more about collaborative agreements
Board of directors’ requirements
All organizations must meet OTF’s Board of Directors requirements. However, Municipalities, First Nations, Métis, Inuit, or other Indigenous communities are not required to submit Board of Director information with their grant application.
Please ensure your organization meets all of the following criteria:
- Your organization has a minimum of three board members with active terms. Their terms need to be active as of the application deadline date.
- At least 50% of the board must maintain an arm’s length relationship to each other. This means that board members and executives are not married or related to each other and do not work as business partners or are in another relationship where interests may be compromised.
Project eligibility
Please ensure your project meets all of the following criteria:
- The project information is complete and includes all of the attachments
- The project complies with OTF policies, specifically:
The project aligns with the Resilient Communities Fund:
- It is clearly demonstrated how the impacts on the organization are related to COVID-19
- It is clearly demonstrated how the project aligns with the Resilient Communities Fund outcome(s) selected
How to Apply?
1. Application submission
Visit the grant application deadline page. Once the online application portal opens, you can begin the application.
2. Review and assessment
OTF staff will first review your application as well as information available on your organization’s website and social media accounts, to make sure you are eligible to apply, that your application is complete, and is a fit with the grant requirements. Our experienced staff and local volunteers score your application against the grant assessment criteria.
3. Recommendation and selection
Local Grant Review Team volunteers make funding recommendations. OTF’s Board of Directors approve these recommendations.
4. Notification
The final list of approved grants is sent to Ontario Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs) to give them the opportunity to congratulate successful recipients directly, when possible. OTF then notifies all applicants of the final decision.
5. Orientation
Successful applicants take part in a mandatory orientation session with their OTF Program Manager.
6. Confirmation
Successful applicants are sent an email with their OTF Contract.
7. Activation
Grants are activated once OTF contracts are signed and returned electronically.
Next, in order for OTF to release the first grant payment through electronic funds transfer (EFT), the organization’s banking information needs to be confirmed in OTF’s online portal.
8. What happens during and at the end of your grant?
· Reporting & monitoring: In addition to touchpoints as needed, grantees submit a final report when the project is completed. This covers the achievement of the project and learnings.
· Completion: After OTF staff approve a final report, the grant hold-back funds are released, and the grant is closed.
· Grantee compliance: A random sample of grants is subject to a Grantee Compliance Audit. Grants can be audited for compliance at any point within the grant’s life, or after the grant has been closed.
Funding Amount
- Minimum $10,000
- Maximum $100,000
Contact Information
Processing Fee
NA
Location/Classification
Ontario
Not-for-Profit