Deadline: 06-Mar-23
Applications are now open for the Seniors Community Grant Program to support community organizations’ ability to provide opportunities for greater social inclusion, volunteerism and community engagement for older adults, from the safety of their homes or other safe environments.
As Ontario’s population ages, along with an increased life expectancy, they have the opportunity to improve the quality of life for older adults across the province. Ensuring older Ontarians remain independent and engaged, and are able to live safely is a priority for Ontario.
As a result of projects funded by Seniors Community Grants, diverse and equity-seeking older adults will have better access to opportunities to stay active, healthy and engaged in their community. Organizations may be able to build capacity to continue to serve older Ontarians through new opportunities based on local needs and also create new partnerships to better serve those in their community after project funding end.
The Seniors Community Grant (SCG) Program funds local not-for-profit community groups and organizations to deliver projects, supports and resources that help older adults (aged 55+) live independently, ensure their safety and security, connect them to their community, avoid isolation and help them achieve greater financial security and social connections.
Priorities
Building on the purpose and intent of the SCG program, the 2023-24 SCG Program will focus on the following three key priority areas:
- Increasing older adults’ awareness of how to identify, report and prevent elder abuse and fraud.
- Education sessions and programs that provide information to more older adults in local and diverse communities on how to recognize and report elder abuse and learn about financial security and fraud.
- Reducing older adults’ social isolation by increasing access to programs and services.
- Friendly visiting program that targets older adults in remote communities, and inperson programs to teach older adults how to use technology to stay in touch with friends and family and access on-line programs and services.
- Increasing volunteerism and promoting employment and entrepreneurship among older adults.
- Intergenerational mentoring programs where older adults share their wealth of employment experience with younger generations.
- Delivering networking programs that promote small business opportunities and entrepreneurship for older adults.
Funding Information
- Not-for-profit organizations that have been incorporated and in operation since at least April 2022 are eligible to apply for up to $25,000.
- Individuals that represent local unincorporated community groups are eligible to apply for up to $10,000.
- All project activity must be planned to take place between July 2023 and March 31, 2024.
- It is anticipated that successful applicants will be notified by July 2023.
- Funded project activity must end by March 31, 2024.
Target Populations
Priority will be placed on projects that are responsive to the needs of a diverse older adult population with emphasis on projects that target older adults in underserved and equity seeking populations, including older adults who:
- Are First Nations, Inuit, and Métis
- Live with disabilities
- Identify as 2SLGBTQQIA+
- Live in rural and remote areas
- Are Francophone
- Are racialized, newcomers or immigrants
- Are low incomes earners
Eligibility Criteria
- Eligible applicants can:
- represent seniors’ groups and/or offer programs or services that directly benefit older adults living in Ontario; and
- be registered in Transfer Payment Ontario. Create a ONe-key account and register for Transfer Payment Ontario,
- a not-for-profit organization incorporated pursuant to the laws of Ontario or Canada;
- or an individual that represents a community organization or group that contributes to the well-being of local older adults.
- Not-for-profit organizations
- Municipalities or regional governments
- Local Services Boards
- District Social Services Administration Boards
- Indigenous groups, including band council, tribal council, self-governing entity, health access centre, First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities or organizations
- Not-for-profit licenced retirement homes
- Organizations that have mandates that are based in a local Ontario community, or who have an Ontario provincial mandate. For organizations with offices in multiple locations, each individual location is eligible to apply for funding, however, each must operate independently and have a separate governing structure.
- The individual representing the group will be responsible to the province for the project’s implementation, financial management, and reporting (including documenting all expenditures for audit purposes).
- The group that the individual represents must have been in existence for at least one year prior to the date of application.
- NOTE: If approved for funding, individuals will be required to provide their Social Insurance Number and other documents as part of the validation process to receive funding.
Ineligible
The following are not eligible to apply for funding:
- Agencies, boards or commissions of the federal or provincial governments
- Organizations that fundraise to provide funding to other organizations
- For-profit organizations
- Private schools
- Organizations whose purpose is related to political activity
- Organizations or individuals that are currently in default of a provincial government grant.
Requirements
- Involve older adults.
- It is strongly encouraged that you involve older adults throughout all steps of the project, from the planning stage through to client satisfaction feedback after the project ends.
- At least 50% of the participants benefiting from the project must be 55 years of age or older.
- Take place in Ontario, benefit Ontario’s older adults, and be provided by an Ontario-based service provider.
- Align with the most current public health guidelines set out by the Province and the local public health authorities.
- Applicants are encouraged to deliver services or programs virtually or remotely to meet the needs of older adults who may not feel comfortable returning to in-person programing or have difficulty accessing the location where the program or services are being administered.
For more information, visit Government of Ontario.