Ontario Helping Non-Profits Deliver Important Community Services

TORONTO — On Tuesday, the Ontario government announced more than $26 million in grant funding this year to support 251 local projects at non-profit organizations across the province through the seventh and final round of the Ontario Trillium Foundation’s (OTF) Resilient Communities Fund.

The Resilient Communities Fund was created in August 2020 to help Ontario’s non-profit organizations address pandemic-related challenges so they could continue to provide local services. To date, this fund has supported 3,299 projects with $294 million in support.

🗣️ Non-profits do incredible work for communities across our province.

Our government is helping them deliver services that Ontarian’s rely on most by investing $26M this year, for the 7th & final round of @ONTrillium’s Resilient Communities Fund.https://t.co/rA65RlVDtu pic.twitter.com/tuV1z75Qex

— Neil Lumsden (@NeilLumsdenMPP) February 27, 2024

“Non-profit organizations are critical to the success of communities across the province, delivering programming that helps people find jobs and live healthier, happier lives,” said Neil Lumsden, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport. “That’s why our government is proud to continue to support Ontarians through the Ontario Trillium Foundation. Communities across the province have overcome significant challenges in the past couple of years and supports like the Resilient Communities Fund have enabled non-profit organizations to continue to deliver valuable programming and services to those who need it the most.”

Eligible non-profit organizations are provided with grants of up to $200,000 over a two-year period to recover and build capacity, resilience and sustainability. The full list of this year’s grant recipients can be found on the OTF website.

Over the last four years, Resilient Communities Fund grants have made a significant difference in communities across Ontario. They have enabled non-profit organizations to deliver essential programming and services, such as:

• The Interval House of Hamilton received a $164,000 grant to implement a Women’s Education and Rural Support Program to address service gaps for women who live in rural areas and experience violence and abuse.
• Active Scholars in Ajax is using a $199,100 grant to expand access to S.T.E.M. education and physical literacy programs for more low-income, racialized youth in Ontario.
• Mississauga’s ISNA-Canada is creating a 12-month addiction support program to address the specific needs of individuals struggling with addiction, emphasizing long-term recovery and well-being.
• Parkdale Food Centre in Ottawa was awarded a $149,900 grant to adapt its programming to be safely delivered outdoors or virtually, ensuring families and children had continued access to nutritious food during the pandemic.
• The Georgian Nordic Outdoor Activity Centre in Parry Sound used a $75,400 grant to adapt programs and update its technology and infrastructure to offer trails for Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, winter and summer cycling and hiking, as well as paddling instruction in canoeing, kayaking and stand-up paddle boards for children and families.

As the government returns the Ontario Trillium Foundation to its Seed, Grow and Capital grant streams in 2024-25, it will continue to make investments to support communities across the province as they adapt to the changing needs of Ontarians.

“This year, the OTF is pleased to invest in 251 non-profit organizations to help them recover and build their capacity and resilience. These investments remain essential to helping organizations deliver programs and services, improving the well-being of Ontarians. As the OTF wraps up this final round of the Resilient Communities Fund, we want to thank the Government of Ontario for supporting the non-profit sector through this fund which has helped over 3,000 organizations recover during and after the pandemic,” said Bill Walker, Chair of the Board, Ontario Trillium Foundation.

The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) has supported thousands of community organizations over the past four decades by investing in community-based initiatives and strengthening the impact of Ontario’s non-profit sector. Please visit the OTF website for a full list of grant recipients and details on how OTF might be able to help your non-profit organization.

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