Ontario Supports Non-Profits Delivering Vital Services

TORONTO ― The Ontario government is providing nearly $41 million to help 486 non-profit organizations across the province to rebuild and recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. These grants are part of the first round of funding through the Ontario Trillium Foundation’s new $83-million Resilient Communities Fund.

The announcement was made today by Lisa MacLeod, Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries.

“COVID-19 has created a ‘triple threat’ of health, economic and social crises in Ontario, and this funding will help non-profits adapt to those challenges, and ensure that they can provide the best service to those who need it the most,” said Minister MacLeod. “As we work towards the province’s economic and social recovery, supporting programs like the Ontario Trillium Foundation’s Resilient Communities Fund will make a real difference in the lives of individuals and families.”

The Resilient Communities Fund provides grants of up to $150,000 to eligible non-profit organizations. They can apply for a broad and flexible range of needs, such as mental and physical health and wellbeing supports for staff or volunteers, identify new health and safety processes or purchasing of new technology and personal protective equipment. The fund will also provide grants to support capital needs, such as renovations and facility updates to meet the changing needs of the communities they serve.

“These new Resilient Communities Fund grants will bring needed support to many community-based organizations trying to meet local needs across the province,” said Katharine Bambrick, CEO of the Ontario Trillium Foundation. “We are delighted that critical non-profit organizations will have access to essential funding allowing them to adapt and deliver their programs and services.”

Ontario’s Action Plan: Protect, Support, Recover sets out a total of $45 billion in support over three years to deliver critical programs and tax measures to support individuals, families and job creators impacted by the virus, and lay the groundwork for a robust long-term economic recovery for the province.

For more information on the OTF’s Resilient Communities Fund, and for a full list of recipients, please visit the OTF website.

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 $83-million Resilient Communities Fund.
• The second application period of the Resilient Communities Fund closed on December 9. Information about the approved recipients will made available at a future date.

Quotes

“This one-time funding is aimed to invest in the recovery and rebuilding efforts of the non-profit sectors in Pickering-Uxbridge and across Ontario that are impacted by COVID-19. It will help keep our communities safe and help non-profit organizations deliver their programs and services as they return to building healthy and vibrant communities across Durham Region.”

– Peter Bethlenfalvy
MPP for Pickering-Uxbridge

“I’m pleased to be a part of this announcement today to very deserving Durham Ontario Trillium Foundation recipients. The OTF providez grants to support capital needs, such as renovations and facility updates to meet the changing needs of Ajax and the whole of Durham Region.”

– Rod Phillips
MPP for Ajax

“I am proud of the hundreds of local volunteer organizations, and thousands of volunteers who have stepped up over the last few months and shown the Ontario spirit in continuing the delivery of vital services and programming in the Region of Durham. With today’s funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, they now will be able to continue work absolutely critical in helping local residents rebuild their lives as together, we restart our economy, and reopen the Region of Durham.”

– Lorne Coe
MPP for Whitby

“The Ontario Trillium Foundation’s Resilient Communities Fund will strengthen the social fabric of our communities across the province, at a time when it is desperately needed. I am pleased to congratulate the organizations in Oshawa, Scugog and Clarington who will benefit from this funding.”

– Lindsey Park
MPP for Durham

“The Boys and Girls Club of Durham is thrilled to be a recipient of the OTF Resilient Communities Fund. We are grateful to the Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries and the provincial government for their ongoing support of the Boys and Girls Club of Durham, as we continue to navigate these challenging times.”

– Kathleen Hutton
Executive Director, Boys and Girls Club of Durham

Additional Resources

• 2020 Ontario Budget/Ontario’s Action Plan: Protect, Support, Recover
• Visit Ontario’s website to learn more about how the province continues to protect Ontarians from COVID-19.