Financial Empowerment Initiative (Canada)

Deadline: 15-Sep-23

The Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services is inviting non-profit organizations in Ontario to apply for funding under the Financial Empowerment Initiative for the delivery of a range of financial empowerment services to low-income Ontarians.

The Financial Empowerment Initiative’s objective is to provide low-income Ontarians with person-centered financial empowerment services that will work towards their financial goals and stability through improving financial literacy and supporting people with access to various tools and resources (e.g., financial counselling, accessing tax credits and other income opportunities).

The Financial Empowerment Initiative will directly fund service providers focusing on social assistance clients and underserved demographic groups, within 6 census divisions:

Greater Sudbury
Middlesex
Ottawa
Thunder Bay
Toronto
Waterloo

Funding Information

The annual maximum allocation to deliver these services, including start-up costs, is $200,000.
Please note that a prorated amount of funding will be paid for the government’s fiscal year 2023– 24, based on the months remaining in that year once successful applicants are chosen.

Services and Support

Financial empowerment services and supports to be provided through this call for application include:

financial counselling and/or problem solving, related to:
accessing banking services
budget planning and cost savings identification (for example, reviewing accommodation costs, childcare costs, bill payments, consolidating subscriptions, etc.)
managing personal resources, managing debt, assisting with taxpayer relief, managing creditors and liens, connecting clients to lower costs services
accessing savings and asset building opportunities (for example, Registered Disability Savings Plans, Canada Learning Bonds, etc.)
protection from financial fraud and abuse
applying for other income benefits, grants, and scholarships
tax filing support

Eligible Applicants

The applicant is required to demonstrate they have the organizational capacity to successfully deliver the funded services. They will have to provide evidence of their organization’s operational policies, processes, and infrastructure, showing they meet the following eligibility criteria.

To be eligible, an applicant must:

be a community-based, non-profit organization providing direct services to low-income Ontarians as its main priority
be an Ontario-based entity in continuous existence since no later than January 1, 2022
be based in one of the following Census Divisions of Ontario:
- Greater Sudbury
- Middlesex
- Ottawa
- Thunder Bay
- Toronto
- Waterloo
be managed by an incorporated board of directors or equivalent governance structure that demonstrates accountability to the community and to its membership
have bylaws that outline procedures for reporting and accounting to their membership or the public for the organization’s operations and performance
demonstrate that it has adequate governance structures and accountability processes to properly administer and manage public funds and to carry out the initiative consistent with the terms of the Transfer Payment Agreement (TPA)
have rigorous financial management policies and practices in place which satisfy the ministry and demonstrates financial stability
- provide the most recent audited financial statements (including management letter) that present no significant concerns
- ensuring there are clear processes and reporting mechanisms related to the budget
not be in default of the terms and conditions of any grant or loan agreement with any ministry or agency of the Government of Ontario, the Government of Canada and any Ontario municipality.
provide proof of valid commercial general liability insurance
operate in compliance with applicable legislation such as the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, Ontario’s Human Rights Code, the Occupational Health and Safety Act, the Employment Standards Act, and other required regulations and policies
have IT policies, procedures and infrastructure to support access, integrity, and security of data, including electronic/records files and limits access/disclosures to appropriate situations and individuals
Priority will be given to organizations that serve low-income individuals who are:
- 2SLGBTQQIA+ and non-binary individuals
- Francophone
- immigrants, refugees, and newcomers
- Indigenous Peoples
- living in rural communities
- parents of young children
- people with disabilities
- racialized individuals
- seniors
- survivors of gender-based violence
- survivors of human trafficking
- women
- youth leaving care

Application Expectation

The successful applicants will be expected to:

deliver financial empowerment services in their Ontario census division
leverage existing provincial, regional, and local service infrastructures
ensure low-income Ontarians are able to access financial services and other supports that may be available to them