Funding for 761 Community Development Corporation
The Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee submits the following communication (March30, 1999) from the
City Clerk, to Council without recommendation; and reports having requested the Commissioner of Community
and Neighbourhood Services to submit a report directly to Council for its meeting scheduled to be held on April 13,
1999, respecting the concerns raised by the Committee regarding the use of the requested funds:
Recommendation:
The Budget Committee on March 29, 1999, recommended to the Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee, and Council,
the adoption of report (February 25, 1999) from the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services, wherein it
is recommended that:
(1)funding in the amount of $83,750.00 be provided to the 761 Community Development Corporation;
(2)the funding in Recommendation No. (1) be provided from the following grants programs, Economic Development
Partnership, Homeless Initiatives Fund, Community Services Grants Programs, and the grants contingency once the
1999Operating Budget has been approved;
(3)the recommended funding be administered by the Shelter, Housing and Support Division of the Community and
Neighbourhood Services Department;
(4)staff work with the Board of 761 Community Development Corporation to develop alternative sources of funding for
the Executive Director's position; and
(5)the appropriate City officials be authorized and directed to take the necessary action to give effect thereto.
Background:
The Budget Committee had before it a report (March 4, 1999) from the City Clerk, advising that the Municipal Grants
Review Committee on March 4, 1999, recommended to the Budget Committee and the Strategic Policies and Procedures
Committee the adoption of report (February 25, 1999) from the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services
on this matter.
(Report dated March 4, 1999, addressed to the
Budget Committee from the City Clerk)
Recommendation:
The Municipal Grants Review Committee on March 4, 1999, recommended to the Budget Committee, and the Strategic
Policies and Priorities Committee, the adoption of the attached report dated February 25, 1999, from the Commissioner of
Community and Neighbourhood Services respecting funding for 761 Community Development Corporation.
(Report dated February 25, 1999, addressed to the
Municipal Grants Review Committee from the
Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services)
Purpose:
This report confirms the City of Toronto support for the 761 Community Development Corporation.
Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:
The recommendations contained in this report will pre-commit $83,750.00 of the 1999 consolidated grants budget request
of $45,133,300.00.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
(1) funding in the amount of $83,750.00 be provided to the 761 Community Development Corporation;
(2) the funding in Recommendation No. (1) be provided from the following grants programs, Economic Development
Partnership, Homeless Initiatives Fund, Community Services Grants Programs, and the grants contingency once the 1999
Operating Budget has been approved;
(3) the recommended funding be administered by the Shelter, Housing and Support Division of the Community and
Neighbourhood Services Department;
(4) staff work with the Board of 761 Community Development Corporation to develop alternative sources of funding for
the Executive Director's position; and
(5) the appropriate City officials be authorized and directed to take the necessary action to give effect thereto.
Council Reference/Background/History:
The 761 Community Development Corporation (761 C.D.C.), developed with the assistance of the former City of Toronto,
actively seeks out and develops business and employment opportunities for persons experiencing long-term poverty. It
operates from a building jointly renovated by the former City and the United Church, and legally dedicated by way of a
ten-year agreement to serve as a community action centre for this purpose.
For the past four years, a staff person from Urban Planning and Development Services has been assigned full-time to assist
in the establishment of the 761 Community Development Corporation as an innovative vehicle to develop economic
approaches to the issue of long-term poverty. In addition, the City provided grants totalling $35,000.00 in 1998. The total
value of the staff secondment and grant allocations was approximately $100,000.00.
The Municipal Grants Review Committee approved a report, entitled "City of Toronto Support for 761 Community
Development Corporation," at its meeting of July 20, 1998. This report recommended that a consultant be retained to
conduct a review of the financial and administrative relationships with the 761 C.D.C. and to recommend a sustained and
long-term financial and administrative structure for the 761 C.D.C.
The firm of Ward Consultants was retained to carry out the review, which was completed in January 1999. Staff have now
reviewed the consultants report and met with the Board of the 761 C.D.C. to discuss the review and the recommendations
contained in this report.
Comments and/or Discussion and/or Justification:
"Taking Responsibility for Homelessness", the report of the Mayor's Homelessness Action Task Force, identifies
community economic development activity as an important prevention strategy. The report states "Traditional job creation,
job readiness, and job placement approaches have not been effective in connecting socially isolated people with the
mainstream economy... These (CED) businesses use the economy to create community. Social participation is at least as
important as economic participation". The report also recognizes 761 C.D.C. as a primary CED provider and the need for
additional City resources in this area.
Given the unique mandate of the 761 C.D.C., a number of City Departments/Divisions have an interest in the work of the
agency. Staff of the Urban Planning and Development Services Department, Economic Development, Culture and Tourism
Department, and Shelter Housing and Support, and Social Development and Administration Divisions of the Community
and Neighbourhood Services Department have been involved in discussions regarding the City role with 761 C.D.C. The
Shelter, Housing and Support Division has an existing funding role with respect to CED and will act as the lead division,
with both Economic Development and Social Development and Administration to provide additional in kind supports.
1999 Funding Level:
A total commitment of $83,750.00 is recommended. Funding at this level will maintain the funding level provided in 1998
and provide additional funds to enable 761 C.D.C. to hire an Executive Director to replace the seconded staff from Urban
Planning and Development Services. Pre-commitment is required because the City staff secondment will end on March 31,
1999, and the Board of 761 C.D.C. has asked the City of Toronto for a formal commitment of support before they initiate
the hiring process for an Executive Director.
Long Term Support:
There are a number of possible sources for long-term support for the core administrative costs of 761 C.D.C. City staff will
work with the organization to pursue funding relationships with the United Way of Greater Toronto, foundations, and
potential private sector support. However, the agency does not have the immediate resources to hire an Executive Director.
The consultant's report identified a number of strategic issues that 761 C.D.C. should address over the next year and the
Board of 761 C.D.C. has adopted a workplan to address these issues. With a number of significant organization issues yet
to be resolved City staff have advised the Board of 761 to consider hiring an Executive Director on a contract basis.
Conclusion:
Community economic development has clearly been identified by the Mayor's Homelessness Action Task Force as an
important preventative strategy that should be supported by the City. 761 C.D.C. is one of the few existing community
resources with the mandate and expertise to provide support to CED initiatives.
Contact Name:
Chris Brillinger
Tel: 392-8608