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Live Green Toronto ChemTRAC Toxics Reduction Grants

Toronto’s ChemTRAC program is designed to protect public health and help local businesses go green by tracking and reducing 25 toxic chemicals found at levels of concern in our environment. The program aims to support businesses to reduce or find alternatives to these chemicals, and to encourage toxics reduction in the community.

The ChemTRAC Toxics Reduction Grants are intended to raise awareness, understanding and implementation of toxics reduction opportunities in our businesses and communities. We invite business associations, community organizations and labour groups to submit proposals for training, education, pilot programs, community partnerships and other ways to promote reduction of toxic chemicals, particularly those 25 substances listed under Toronto’s Environmental Reporting and Disclosure Bylaw (Municipal Code Chapter 423).

Examples of projects that might be appropriate for funding include the development of training materials for a particular industrial sector or occupation, piloting an alternative substance or process, and community-business partnerships that promote toxics reduction. Learn more about past grant recipients.

ChemTRAC Toxics Reduction Grant Guidelines

The ChemTRAC Toxics Reduction Grants are designed to:

  1. help businesses and workers reduce or eliminate toxic chemicals that are used or released in their operations;
  2. empower communities to reduce or eliminate their use and release of toxic chemicals; and
  3. foster partnerships between businesses and communities that encourage toxics use reduction.

Grants from $1,000 to $25,000 are available. Specifically the City is interested in proposals that:

  1. educate workers and businesses in Toronto, particularly those that are affected by the City’s Environmental Reporting and Disclosure Bylaw (Municipal Code Chapter 423);
  2. achieve long-term reduction or elimination of the use and release of the 25 toxic substances listed in the Environmental Reporting and Disclosure Bylaw; and
  3. engage local communities in activities that increase understanding of toxics reduction, particularly activities that create partnerships with local businesses.

Priority is given to projects that:

  1. engage business sectors (for example, the autobody refinishing sector) or worker groups, rather than individual businesses;
  2. create educational resources or support product or process innovation that are applicable to small and medium-sized businesses;
  3. display innovation in terms of program design, audience reach or delivery mechanism;
  4. include partnerships between businesses and communities;
  5. include clear measurable indicators;
  6. do not duplicate a program being delivered in the community by another organization;
  7. help communities take responsibility for toxics reduction;
  8. support awareness and activity in communities most at risk; and
  9. sustain and promote a greener economy and community.

Activities that are not eligible for grants include the purchase of capital assets (for example, machinery), funds that are solely directed to staff salaries or core administrative functions of an organization, and the hiring of consultants to assist an individual business to report data under the Environmental Reporting and Disclosure Bylaw.

All applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the Toronto Environment Office in advance to discuss their proposals. Please call 416-392-1135 or email livegreengrants@toronto.ca

Who is eligible to apply?

Organizations can include but are not limited to:

  • Business associations, including Business Improvement Areas;
  • Unions and labour organizations;
  • Neighbourhood associations;
  • Community groups including youth and school groups and service clubs;
  • Charitable organizations operating in Toronto; and
  • Environmental organizations operating in Toronto.

If you are applying as a community organization that does not have not-for-profit status, you must partner with a sponsoring organization to act as your trustee.

Organizations NOT eligible for funding include:

  • For-profit businesses;
  • Agencies, boards, commissions or divisions of the City of Toronto;
  • Individual residents;
  • Grant-making organizations;
  • Organizations allied with political parties; and
  • Organizations without a clear demarcation between religious and community service functions at the program and budget levels.

If you have an idea that advances the goals and objectives of our program but your group does not qualify, please contact us. We may be able to offer support or assistance in other ways.

What is the application process?

The maximum grant provided to any individual project is $25,000.

The City will review applications to the ChemTRAC Toxics Reduction Grants program twice a year, once in the spring and once in the fall. Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact the Toronto Environment Office in advance to discuss their proposals. Please email livegreengrants@toronto.ca.

Applicant and Project information

  1. Name of the project and project location
  2. A statement of the proposal goal(s) and objective(s)
  3. The broader context of the proposal and how it supports ChemTRAC and the Live Green Toronto program
  4. Short summary of the group, its objectives and history
  5. A description of the project team, and key partners

Project Background and Outcomes

  1. A brief rationale for and description of the project activities including any background work you have done on the project
  2. The anticipated outcomes including a discussion of how the initiative will reduce toxic chemicals, particularly the 25 toxic substances listed in the Environmental Reporting and Disclosure Bylaw

Work Plan and Measures of Success

  1. A brief work plan (including start and end date) and a description of how you will track progress (including short- and long-term measurable benefits such as the number of people educated or reductions in use and release of toxic substances)
  2. The potential challenges and opportunities to achieving the project’s overall goals
  3. If the project is a multi-year project, please provide a breakdown of your work plan for each year and each phase of the project
  4. Both qualitative and quantitative measures should be discussed in your proposal. Examples of quantitative measures include the amount of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) not released into the atmosphere or the number of workers reached through the delivery of your program. Qualitative measures include changes in awareness, knowledge or behaviour and are typically determined through a comparison of pre- and post-intervention surveys
  5. Identify any negative or positive impacts of other projects on your proposed work
  6. Describe the interpretative and/or educational value of your project

Budget and Communication Materials

  1. A one-page proposed budget using the attached budget template (MS word) including materials, supplies and equipment, communication media such as newspaper or radio ads, capital or maintenance costs for the project, and staff time
  2. A communications plan that describes how you plan to provide appropriate recognition of Live Green Toronto at all events, promotions and media coverage related to the project
  3. Describe how your project will be self-sustaining and identify any associated maintenance costs on a yearly basis and who would be responsible for long-term maintenance

It is recommended that:

  • no more than 15 per cent of the grant may be allocated to professional consultant fees. Budgets exceeding this percentage must have prior approval from the Toronto Environment Office
  • no more than 10 per cent of the grant request be allocated to agency/organization project administration associated with the project. Budgets exceeding this percentage must have prior approval from the Toronto Environment Office

All project expenses should be directly related to the goals and objectives of implementing the project and reducing or eliminating toxic chemicals. Periodic evaluations of funded projects will be determined by the City of Toronto staff and grant recipients.

Costs not to be included as part of the funding request:

  • those associated with the regular operation of your organization such as office rental, utilities, phone, fax, internet, accounting services etc.

Additional Information

For grant requests of $10,000 and over, please also append the following:

Organization Backgrounder

  1. A one page bio of key project staff
  2. The most recent financial statement of your organization and the sponsoring organization if one exists
  3. A summary of other financing obtained in support of the project
  4. A list of your organization’s board members and the sponsoring organization if one exists
  5. Proof of not-for-profit or charitable status of your organization, or a letter from a sponsoring organization who will act as a trustee for the project and confirmation of the trustee organization’s not-for-profit status

Unless critical to your application, do not include additional printed material, e.g. annual reports or newsletters. This material will not be forwarded to the review committee.

Please provide four (4) paper copies of the proposal and an electronic version, in MS Word, to:

Live Green Toronto - ChemTRAC Toxics Reduction Grants
c/o Jeff McCormick, Senior Environmental Planner
Toronto Environment Office
City of Toronto
21st Floor, East Tower, City Hall
100 Queen St. West
Toronto, ON M5H 2N2
Tel: 416-392-1135
livegreengrants@toronto.ca

Step One - Letters of Interest

Interested applicants should first send a letter of interest to the City of Toronto Environment Office along with the Letter of Interest Cover Page (MS Word). Your Letter of Interest should not exceed two (2) pages and should briefly outline the nature of your proposal, the approximate budget, the amount being requested, a general work schedule and expected project outcomes.

Toronto Environment Office staff will review the letters of interest and identify the proposals the City wishes to pursue.

Please provide one paper copy of the Letter of Interest Cover Page and your Letter of Interest, printed double-sided and submit an electronic version in MS Word to: livegreengrants@toronto.ca.

Step Two - Full Application

Based on the Letters of Interest, we will invite groups to submit full applications. Please note this is not a guarantee of funding.  Please ensure that you include all the requested information, including the Full Application Cover Page (MS Word).  Incomplete applications will not be reviewed and applicants will be asked to re-submit their application in the next grant cycle.  Applications received after the listed deadline will also be asked to re-submit.

Those groups invited to submit full proposals should develop an application according to the amount requested as detailed below:

  • Grants requested for up to $10,000 should submit an application not to exceed 5 pages and complete sections a. to p, listed above.
  • Grants requested for amounts over $10,000 should submit an application not to exceed 10 pages and complete all sections as detailed above.

How will applications be assessed?

Applications will be reviewed by an independent Review Committee, supported by staff in Toronto Public Health. Projects will be evaluated on the basis of:

  • the organization's history and track record,
  • the proposal’s fit with the goals of ChemTRAC and the Live Green Toronto program,
  • the organization’s readiness to undertake the proposed work,
  • potential project results and likelihood of success,
  • the potential to learn about new approaches and practice, and
  • the strategies used to reach new audiences who have not been targeted by previous initiatives.

All applicants are strongly encouraged to contact Toronto Environment Office in advance to discuss their proposals. Please call 416-392-1135 or email livegreengrants@toronto.ca.

Key Application Dates


2013 Spring Session
Application Steps Deadlines
Application process open February 28, 2013
Letter of interest April 2, 2013
City extends invitation to apply April 23, 2013
Full application deadline May 13, 2013
Review Committee decision Mid-June 2013

2013 Fall Session
Application Steps Deadlines
Application process open August 6, 2013
Letter of interest September 3, 2013
City extends invitation to apply September 20, 2013
Full application deadline October 7, 2013
Review Committee decision November 18, 2013

Additional Information

Please note that you may be asked for additional, relevant information to assist in the review, assessment and monitoring of your application.

Conflict of Interest

All City of Toronto staff, including staff involved with ChemTRAC and the Live Green Toronto program, are guided by the City of Toronto’s Conflict of Interest Policy. A copy of this policy is available upon request from the Toronto Environment Office.

Appeals

You may appeal the decision regarding your grant application. Appeals should be made in writing to the City of Toronto at the same address as your original application. The Appeals Committee will consider and respond to your appeal.

Approved Applications

If your ChemTRAC Toxics Reduction Grant application has been approved:

  • Successful candidates will be required to sign a legal agreement with Toronto Public Health (as agent for the City of Toronto) which will specify the project details to be funded by the City, and set out the requirements for financial recording keeping, financial reporting and a review to be conducted by the City of Toronto to ensure that funds are used for the purposes for which they were granted. A copy of the legal agreement is available upon request.
  • The City of Toronto may place additional conditions on grant recipients over and above those normally required in grant agreements if deemed necessary.
  • Successful candidates must submit a detailed work plan with phasing details prior to commencement of the project; the work plan should outline the timing and nature of anticipated expenditures. A template will be supplied.
  • If your organization has charitable status and receives a full or partial tax rebate reimbursement from the City of Toronto for projects costs, the City of Toronto will not cover expenses that you will be reimbursed for.
  • An advance of up to 90 per cent of the grant may be authorized by the Toronto Medical Officer of Health and/or the Director of the Toronto Environment Office so that the grant recipient may commence their undertakings in a timely manner. The balance will be reimbursed after expenditure reports have been submitted to the City of Toronto in accordance with the project reporting schedule.
  • Ten per cent of the total project grant will be held back until receipt of a final project report.
  • The grant recipient shall notify the City of Toronto in writing of any material changes proposed to the nature of, or budget for, the activities for which the grant has been approved and shall use the grant for such altered activities only with prior written consent from the City of Toronto. The City of Toronto has the right to refuse payment for services and material costs submitted which it feels does not reflect the terms set out in the agreement.
  • The grant recipient shall not transfer or assign the grant or any part thereof to another organization or individual, without explicit recognition of this intent in the project proposal or the prior written consent of the City of Toronto.
  • Any funds awarded must be put to their intended use by the date stated in the agreement unless prior written approval has been given by the City of Toronto regarding extension.
  • Any unused portion of a grant remains the property of the City of Toronto. If the City of Toronto has already provided funds for the unused portion of the grant, the grant recipient shall immediately repay it to the City of Toronto.

Repayment of Grants:
The grant recipient shall, at the request of the City of Toronto, repay the whole or any part of the grant as determined by the City of Toronto, if the grant recipient:

  1. ceases operating;
  2. ceases to operate as a non-profit organization or collective;
  3. dissolves;
  4. merges or amalgamates with any other party;
  5. commences or has commenced against it, any proceedings of bankruptcy or is adjudged bankrupt;
  6. has knowingly provided false information in its grant application;
  7. uses grant funds for purposes not approved by the City of Toronto;
  8. breaches any of the terms or conditions of the grant; or
  9. breaches any of the provisions of the Ontario Human Rights code in its operations.

The recipient shall notify the City of Toronto immediately, in writing, if any of the above events occur.

Accounting:
The recipient shall keep and maintain all records, invoices and other documents relating to the grant in a manner consistent with generally accepted accounting principles and clerical practices and shall maintain such records for a period of three (3) years from the date of approval of the grant by the City of Toronto.

The recipient will authorise the City of Toronto, at all reasonable times, to inspect and copy any and all records, invoices and documents in the custody or control of the recipient which relate to the grant for a period of three (3) years from the date of approval of the grant by the City of Toronto. This right of inspection includes the right to perform a full or partial audit of the aforementioned records, as considered appropriate by the City of Toronto.

Limitation of Liability and Indemnification:

  • The City of Toronto shall not be liable for any damages, injury, or any loss of use or profit to the recipient arising out of, or in any way related to, the grant recipient’s operation.
  • The recipient shall indemnify the City of Toronto, its officers, employees and agents, against all costs, damages and expenses incurred as a result of a claim or proceedings related to the grant recipient’s operations, unless such costs, damages or expenses arise from the negligence or wilful act of an officer, employee or agent of the City of Toronto.
  • The City of Toronto shall be entitled, at any time to impose such additional terms and conditions on the use of the grant that, in its sole discretion, it deems appropriate.
  • The grant recipient will provide reports on activities and financial statements for grants in a format satisfactory to the City of Toronto. The reports will be submitted according to a schedule set out in the agreement.
  • Copies of permits and approvals from other agencies (MNR, MOE, etc.) for projects requiring such approvals must be in place prior to any work commencing and must be received by the City of Toronto by the date of the first scheduled invoice. Funds will not be transferred until the required documentation is received.
  • Any publicity or public information regarding the approved project will acknowledge the support of the City of Toronto.
  • Successful candidates must provide a draft of all communications pieces related to their project which containing the City of Toronto’s name. This will be done within a mutually agreeable time frame, for approval by the Toronto Environment Office. The City’s name may only be used with written permission from the City. The City reserves the right to review all material before distribution to the public.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q:  I am an individual. Can I apply?
A:  No, individuals are not eligible for grants.

Q:  I operate a business.  Can I apply?
A:  Individual businesses are not eligible for grants.  However, businesses are encouraged to consider partnering with a business association, community organization or labour group on a joint proposal that meets the funding guidelines.

Q: What is the maximum/minimum amount of a grant?
A: The maximum grant available to any one project is $25,000 and the minimum grant award is $1,000.

Q:  When can I apply for grant?
A: There is one granting period in 2010. We invite groups to submit full applications in MS Word to livegreengrants@toronto.ca by October 18, 2010. Beginning in 2011, grants will be awarded in spring and fall, depending on available funds.

Q: Are there any costs that are not eligible?
A: Any costs not directly associated with the project are not eligible.  Please see the guidelines above, which outline further conditions on eligible costs.

Q: Can I use grant money to purchase or upgrade machinery that can reduce or eliminate toxic chemicals in my business?
A:  The purchase of capital assets like machinery is not eligible for funding. However, training, education or pilot-testing activities related to new processes or machinery may be eligible. Please see the guidelines above, which outline further conditions on eligible costs or contact the Toronto Environment Office to discuss.

Q: Are core administration costs funded?
A:  Costs associated with the regular operation of your organization such as office rental, utilities, phone, fax, internet, accounting services etc. are not eligible for funding and should not be included in your proposal.  Other administration costs should not exceed 10 per cent of the total budget of your proposal. 

Q:  Are staff salaries eligible for funding?
A:  Staff salaries for work directly related to a project are eligible for funding.  However, budgets should not be solely for staff salaries.

Q: Are there any organizations that are not eligible for funding?
A: Yes, for-profit businesses, agencies, boards, commissions or divisions of the City of Toronto, individual residents, grant-making organizations, organizations aligned with political parties, and organizations without a clear demarcation between religious and community service functions at the program and budget levels are not eligible for funding.

Q: What is the funding period?
A: Grants need to be used within one (1) year of the first instalment.

Q:  Can I apply for funds to expand an existing project?
A:   Yes, grants can be used to expand an existing project.  Proposals should clearly describe the budget, timelines and activities of the related project, and identify how ChemTRAC funds would be used to expand the project.

Q:  Can I apply if my organization is located outside of Toronto?
A:  Yes, but the activities funded by the grant must take place within the City of Toronto.

Q:  My business association represents an industry that is exempt from reporting under the Environmental Reporting and Disclosure Bylaw.  Can my business association still apply?
A:  Yes.  However, priority will be given to those proposals that educate businesses and workers in Toronto that are affected by the bylaw, and that aim to reduce the use or release the 25 toxic chemicals listed in the bylaw.