Deadline: 31-Oct-24
The Niagara Region is seeking applications for its Niagara Prosperity Initiative (NPI) for projects aimed at working together to prevent and end poverty and increase well-being in Niagara.
Funding Information
- Applicants to the Niagara Prosperity Initiative may request between $100,000 to $300,000 per year, for up to three years.
Eligible Projects
- Niagara Region has identified six projects for investment in this round of funding. These projects will help implement Areas of Focus outlined in the Niagara Poverty Reduction Strategy. The projects reflect local needs and are based on best or promising practices. Applicants must demonstrate alignment to the Niagara Poverty Reduction Strategy by selecting one of the following projects and developing a proposal that outlines how they will create change to address the corresponding Areas of Focus outlined in the strategy:
- Project 1: Indigenous well-being. Develop a strategy for Indigenous specific poverty reduction initiatives.
- Project 2: Mental health and addiction (Social Assistance). Provide mental health and addiction supports for individuals on social assistance or those experiencing homelessness.
- Project 3: Mental health and addiction (Situation Tables). Provide supports for individuals referred to Niagara Situation Tables who need mental health or addiction support.
- Project 4: Income and employment. Increase opportunities for decent work, living wage employment and financial empowerment initiatives.
- Project 5: Housing and early child development. Provide housing stability services for survivors of domestic violence and their children.
- Project 6: Food security. Improve access to fresh, culturally appropriate, affordable and nutritious foods.
Priority Populations
- Projects are required to target at least one of the following populations that are more likely to experience poverty:
- Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning (2SLGBTQ+) people
- Black and other racialized communities
- Children and youth in care
- Indigenous peoples
- People who are experiencing homelessness
- People who are involved in the criminal justice system
- People who are living in institutions
- People who are living in rural and/or remote areas
- People who have emigrated to Canada
- People with disabilities
- People with refugee status or who are undocumented or non-status
- Women
Eligibility Criteria
- To be considered for funding, applicants must meet all the following criteria:
- Incorporated as a non-profit organization, registered charity, or be an urban off-reserve Indigenous-led organization; and have been in existence for a minimum of one year. Grassroots groups are encouraged to apply as a supporting partner within a collaborative grant application.
- Governed by a volunteer board of directors that is democratically elected, active, with a minimum of three members not related by blood or marriage.
- Provide financial statements signed by at least one director of the organization for the most recent fiscal year end and include comparative information for the prior fiscal year end and include comparative information for the prior fiscal year, upon request.
- Organizations with annual revenues of over $500,000 in the most recent fiscal year may be required to submit financial statements that have been audited by a licensed public accountant.
- Organizations with annual revenues between $100,000 – $500,000 in the most recent fiscal year may be required to submit financial statements that have been subjected to a review engagement by a licensed public accountant provided that an extraordinary resolution according to the Ontario Not-for-Profit Corporations Act has been passed by its members to have a review engagement instead of an audit.
- Organizations with revenues of less than $100,000 may be required to submit internally prepared financial statements that include a statement of revenues and expenses and a balance sheet for the most recent fiscal year provided that an extraordinary resolution according to the Ontario Not-for-Profit Corporations Act has been passed by its members to not appoint an auditor and to not have an audit or review engagement.
- Shall not be or have not been indebted to the Region or be in default of the terms and conditions of any agreement with Niagara Region.
- Provide information that demonstrates it does not, in the absence of the grant, have the financial resources necessary to undertake the activity for which the grant is requested Working together to prevent and end poverty and increase well-being in Niagara.
- Submit a completed application form and confirm that all information provided in the application form and related documents is true, correct and complete, as verified by an authorized official of the organization.
- Must be willing to enter into and comply with a funding agreement in the form provided by Niagara Region.
For more information, visit Niagara Region.