Grants 101 Finding your way through the MCI

Grants 101: Finding your way through the MCI, MCL and MHP maze! A presentation to Community Benefiting Organizations in Dufferin County hosted by the DNFPC June 23, 2010 Presented by: Barbara Elias, Regional Advisor

It’s all about perspective ► Funders see grants as community benefiting investments: § Community impact § Effect use of limited resources § Addresses ministry priorities ► Applicants see grants as a means to further their vision/mission ► Ultimately, you both want the same thing

Trends ► Away from operational and toward project ► Focus on collaborations, partnerships and service integration ► Capacity and sustainability are key criteria ► Community engagement is seen as an important first step ► Social enterprise/social innovation are the future.

Tips and tricks… ► Know your own vision, mission and longterm plan - first and foremost; ► Then aim to understand what funds want to fund – look for an alignment: § Do your homework – read the grant guidelines thoroughly. § Talk to the grant advisor before you apply (in some cases, this is mandatory).

Start at the end ► Start by gathering all the mandatory requirements or documents that must be included in an eligible grant application, including: § § § Proof of eligibility Insurance certificate Financial statements Evidence of approval to apply Letters from your partners Etc…

► The begin to craft a project description that answers the following questions: § Who are you? (brief background) § What are you planning to do? (specifically) § Why are you planning to do this? (rationale and research, local and bigger picture) § Who will be involved (partners) § Who will benefit (target audience)? § When will the project take place (start, end date) § How much will the project cost and how much are you asking for from the grant? § What will be achieved? (outputs and outcomes)

► Use clear writing and plain language ► Follow directions and ask for clarification § There is a difference between a “letter of support” and a letter of commitment” ► Ask for feedback before, during and after ► Don’t wait until the last minute ► If you are not an experienced grant writer, consider hiring a professional to “coach” you.

Grants available through the Ministry of Tourism and Culture… ► Creative Communities Prosperity Fund (CCFP) ► Cultural Strategic Investment Fund (CSIF) ► Museum and Technology Fund (MTF) ► Celebrate Ontario ► Summer Experience Program (SEP) ► http: //www. culture. gov. on. ca/english/index. html

Grant available through the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration ► Ontario Community Builders ► Summer Experience Program ► http: //www. citizenship. gov. on. ca/english/

Grants available through the Ministry of Health Promotion ► Healthy Communities Fund ► Summer Experience Program ► http: //www. mhp. gov. on. ca/en/

Talk to me if you are interested in… ► Health prevention programs focused on mental health, substance abuse/alcohol misuse, tobacco use, healthy eating, physical activity, sport and recreation, injury prevention; ► Seniors, children & youth, low income populations, persons with disabilities, new Canadians ► Arts, culture and heritage; ► Settlement and inclusiveness; ► Volunteerism and NFP organizational development

Also check out… ►Heritage Canada http: //www. heritagecanada. org/eng/links/fund. html ►Young Canada Works http: //www. pch. gc. ca/special/jct-ycw/index-eng. cfm ►Community and Business Financing – A Guide to Funding Programs for Rural Ontario http: //www. reddi. gov. on. ca/financingresources. htm

► Citizenship and Immigration Canada: www. settlement. org ► Ontario Arts Council http: //www. arts. on. ca/page 11. aspx ► Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund http: //www. ocaf. on. ca/en/index. aspx ► Human Resources and Skills Development Canada http: //www. hrsdc. gc. ca/eng/community_partnerships/seniors/index. sht ml

Ministry Contacts ► Regional Advisor for culture, immigration (settlement) & citizenship, and health promotion: § Barbara Elias, (519) 881 -1264 or barbara. elias@ontario. ca [City of Guelph, Wellington County, Dufferin County] ► Tourism Industry Advisor: Paul Samson, (519) 571 -6116 or paul. samson@ontario. ca