Safer and Vital Communities Grant – 2006/2007

The “Safer and Vital Communities Grant” encourages communities, business and government to work together, forge new alliances and build safer, healthier communities in which to live. This partnership approach provides an opportunity to build an increased sense of belonging and community spirit across Ontario.

In keeping with the ministry’s safer communities goal, the grant funding will target crime prevention concerns affecting priority areas such as youth crime, guns and gangs, and protecting children from Internet luring and child pornography. We ask that you read the following fact sheet prior to filling in your application form.

We look forward to receiving your submission by December 15, 2006.

The Safer and Vital Communities Grant is open to:

• Community-based, not-for-profit incorporated organizations
• Community-based, not-for-profit organizations/groups sponsored by incorporated organizations
• Chiefs & Band Councils.

Organizations sponsored by an incorporated organization must include a letter of confirmation from their sponsor. This letter will detail the incorporated sponsoring organization's commitment to enter into a contractual agreement on behalf of the applicant. Applications will not be considered eligible unless this letter is attached.

All applicants must ensure that the incorporation number is included along with confirmation of their status as a not-for-profit organization.

Organizations must have comprehensive general liability insurance of a minimum of Two Million Dollars. Proof of insurance, including a specific clause of indemnification for the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services, must be submitted before funding is provided.

The ministry requires you to have active partnerships with your local police service.

The Safer and Vital Communities Grant supports projects, which have a start date and an end date. While the grants are provided on a one-time basis, it is hoped that the projects will lead to sustained community partnerships, involving different sectors and disciplines that can, if needed, seek additional funding from other sources.

Your proposal for a specific time-limited project must:

1. Include a needs assessment of the community risk factors that outlines the steps you took to identify the local need for the project and how this need will be addressed
2. Include specific, measurable objectives and activities directly related to the goal of the project that focuses on results with an evaluation component
3. Include a detailed budget, relating expenditures to project objectives and an outline of other funding sources
4. Demonstrate the capability of your organization to successfully carry out the program in terms of volunteer resources, financial and community support, etc.
5. Involve a coordinated multi-agency approach that does not duplicate existing projects in the same location or field
6. Have the active involvement of the local police service as evidenced by a letter of support issued from the Chief of Police or the Detachment Commander of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP)
7. Coordinate public promotion/media relations for this project in the community.

The grant will not cover your organization’s ongoing operational costs, programs or services. The grant can only be used to cover costs associated with the administration of the project. Your organization should demonstrate its ability to share costs for the project and provide other support.

The maximum funding available for each project is up to $20,000. Applications exceeding this amount will not be considered.

Since the intent of this grant is to facilitate and promote specific projects to address an identified community need, research and conference proposals will not be considered.

Projects emphasizing the safer communities goal may include but are not limited to:

1. focusing on job opportunities for youth
2. developing initiatives that respond to youth gangs and violence
3. implementing after school programs
4. mentoring and leadership programs
5. combating Internet luring.

Each funding request that meets these criteria will be reviewed on the strengths of its objectives.

Included with this fact sheet is a package that contains an application form and detailed budget form. You must complete all sections on the application and budget forms. Any additional supporting information must be clearly identified and relevant to the proposal.

Organizations may submit more than one application. While all applications will be reviewed, the ministry will fund a maximum of one project per organization.

Deadline: Applications received after December 15, 2006 will not be considered.

A Ministry Funding Review Committee will review complete proposals and make recommendations on project proposals to the Minister. The ministry will notify, in writing, all applicants of its decision by March 2007.

Please Note: Your proposal will be considered incomplete and cannot be considered for grant funding if additional information requested by the ministry is not furnished in a timely manner.

As part of the terms of funding, the ministry will enter into a contractual agreement with those organizations approved for funding. Standard government procedures regarding grants will be followed and the contract will outline:

1. The purpose and use of the grant that requires the recipient to achieve specific, measurable results
2. The commitments to be undertaken or specific activities to support the community organization’s/group’s/First Nations Chiefs and Band Council’s proposal
3. The recipient’s obligation to have in place the governance and administrative structures necessary to ensure prudent and effective management of public funds
4. The submission of progress and final reports indicating that the planned objectives in terms of financial and program results have been achieved as outlined in the original proposal
5. The requirement that the project may be subject to a financial audit and that the ministry has the right to require independent verification of information reported or provided by the Grantee, at the Grantee’s cost
6. A further requirement permitting the recovery of provincial funds and/or the discontinuance of further funds in the event of the recipient’s non-performance.

Funds will only be paid aftera contract is signed between the organization and the ministry. The grant must be used in Ontario for the purposes described in the application and according to the terms of the contractual agreement.

Successful applicants will be required to acknowledge that the funds are for a one-time only specific project and they will not be eligible for future funding for the same project.

Please mail one copy of your completed application with attachments and requests for further information to:

If your organization is approved for funding, a copy of your grant application/proposal will form part of the agreement as ‘Schedule D’.