Grants & Incentives

Live Green Toronto Grants

The Live Green Toronto Community Grant program provides partial financial support to community groups who develop and initiate projects and services that benefit the natural environment, reduce greenhouse gas and smog-causing emissions, and help neighbourhoods adapt to changes caused by climate change. It is our intent to support innovative grassroot initiatives that maximize public involvement, provide clear measurable benefits and create lasting assets that make Toronto a greener and healthier city.

Since 2008, Live Green Toronto grants have supported over 120 projects across Toronto. Examples of projects include planting trees, installing renewable energy systems, rejuvenating neighbourhood parks, creating community vegetable gardens, facilitating energy conservation activities, creating opportunities to utilize low emitting or non-polluting forms of transportation and much more. Learn more about our past grant recipients.

For examples of projects funded in the past, download these LIve Green Toronto Grant Recipient Project Summaries.

Requirements
Who is eligible to apply?
How to Apply
Step One - Letters of Interest
Step Two - Full Application
Key Dates
How will applications be assessed?
Approved Applications
Contact Us

Requirements

Proposed grant projects must be located in the city of Toronto and satisfy one or more of the following objectives:

reduce greenhouse gases;
improve air and water quality; and/or
strive to minimize or prevent the negative impacts of climate change.

In addition, the City is interested in projects that meet the objectives by:

directly enhancing the knowledge and abilities of communities;
fostering long-term behavioural change;
providing measurable results; and
serving as a role model and inspiring others to make a positive change.

Priority is given to projects that:

are grassroots, community-based initiatives;
display innovation in terms of program design, audience reached or delivery mechanism;
include local community partnerships;
can clearly demonstrate that all activities can be measured;
do not duplicate a program being delivered in the community by another organization;
include plans to keep the project sustainable long-term;
present opportunities to increase community engagement of people of all ages, abilities, economic levels and cultures; and
can obtain all necessary permits and approvals before submission of the grant application.

Funding Available

Applications from $1,000 up to a maximum of $25,000 will be accepted. It is our expectation that the grant will be used to complement and help leverage other resources to support the project. At least 50% of the total value of the project should be in the form of secured funding, in-kind support or a combination of both.

The Live Green Toronto grant program will not fund the following activities:

Existing projects, events or on-going program expenses
Projects that extend beyond the city of Toronto's borders
Operating expenses such as salaries, wages, benefits, rent and utilities
Greenroofs or coolroofs eligible under the City's Eco-Roof Incentive Program
Renewable energy projects that generate revenue under the OPA Feed-in-Tariff (FIT) programs
Asphalt removal
Unproven technologies
Research or scientific studies
Marketing campaigns, conferences, festivals or major special events
Purchase or rental of vehicles
Disbursement of grant monies to third-party recipient(s)

Who is eligible to apply?

Examples of eligible not-for-profit groups and organizations include:

Resident, neighbourhood and business associations;
Community groups including youth and school groups, service clubs, and ethnic groups;
Registered charitable organizations and environmental organizations headquartered in the city of Toronto.

If your group or organization does not have not-for-profit status, you must partner with a sponsoring organization to act as your trustee prior to the Full Application. Please contact us if you require assistance in finding a sponsoring organization.

Organizations not eligible for funding include:

Businesses;
Individuals;
Grant making organizations;
Organizations allied with political parties;
Organizations without a clear demarcation between religious and community service functions at the program and budget levels; and
Academic institutions, hospitals, school boards

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

How to apply

The Live Green Toronto Grant program is a two step process. The first step is submission of our online Letter of Interest Application. Letters of Interest will be evaluated by the City and a limited number of applicants will be invited to the second step – Full Application.

Before submitting your Letter of Interest Application we recommend you contact the Environment & Energy Office to discuss the eligibility of your group and proposal. For more information, visit contact us.

Step One - Letters of Interest Application

Interested applicants should first complete the Letter of Interest on or before the application deadline. The Letter of Interest is a brief overview of your group/organization's mission and history, a description of your project, rationale for the project, the approximate budget, the grant being requested, a general work schedule and expected project outcomes.

The online application form will be available on July 1, 2013. Print copies of the application form will be available on request.

The letter of interest deadline is September 16, 2013. Applications must be received by 5:00 p.m. on the deadline date. Applications received after the deadline will not be accepted.

Environment & Energy Office staff will review the Letters of Interest and identify the proposals the City wishes to pursue for Step Two. Please note this is not a guarantee of funding. Applicants moving on to Step Two will be notified by mail and email.

Step Two - Full Application

Select applicants will be invited to submit a full application not to exceed 10 pages that includes the following information:

Complete the Full Application Cover Page

Applicant and Project Information
1. Name of the project and project location
2. Description of the project
3. The proposal goal(s) and objective(s) of the project
Project Background and Outcomes
1. The rationale for and description of the project activities including any background work you have done to justify the project
2. The anticipated outcomes of your project, including how it relates to the objectives of the Live Green Toronto Grant program
Work Plan and Measures of Success
1. A detailed work plan (a template will be provided) that includes a description of the activity, timelines, total cost, measurable outcomes and environmental benefits
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. Provide detail on how your project will be self-sustaining beyond this funding agreement and identify any associated maintenance costs on a yearly basis and who would be responsible for long-term maintenance
5. Discuss how the project goals and objectives will be measured for success. Both qualitative and quantitative indicators of success should be included in your proposal. For examples of quantitative indicators please refer to the Project Quantification Guidelines. Examples of qualitative indicators include, participant feedback, changes in awareness, improved knowledge or behaviour changes, and are typically determined through a comparison of pre and post surveys
Communications Plan
1. Provide a plan framework that outlines how the community will be informed about the project. The plan should define: target audience, strategies, timelines, tools and media options. In addition, the plan should outline how recognition will be provided to the Live Green Toronto Program
Project Budget
1. A proposed project budget for materials, supplies and equipment, human resources and all other expenditures such as marketing and communications. A budget template will be provided and must include unit costs, total costs, funding sources and in-kind contributions
  - 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 Environment & Energy Office
  - Costs associated with the regular operation of your organization such as office rental, utilities, phone, fax, internet, accounting services etc. are not to be included as part of the funding request
  - It is recommended that no more than 10 per cent of the grant request be allocated to project management/coordination staff time associated with the project. Budgets exceeding this percentage must have prior approval from the Environment & Energy Office
Other Relevant Information
In support of your application, you should also append the following:
1. A summary of other secured or pending financing for the project
2. A one page bio of key project staff and key partners
3. The most recent financial statement of your organization and the sponsoring organization if one exists
4. A list of your organization’s board members and the sponsoring organization if one exists
5. A verification letter from a sponsoring organization if you are not a registered organization with the Canada Revenue Agency
6. Proof of not-for-profit 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

Important Information

The full application must be submitted before the specified full application deadline date. Incomplete applications and applications received after the deadline will not be reviewed
Please provide four (4) paper copies of the proposal, printed double-sided, and submit an electronic version, in MS Word, to: livegreengrants@toronto.ca
Applications submitted by mail should be postmarked on or before the specified full application deadline date. For our mailing address, please see contact us
Unless critical to your full application, do not include additional printed material, e.g. annual reports or newsletters. This material will not be forwarded to the review committee.
Be advised that the amount of funding that the City awards may be less than the amount requested in your full application.

Key Dates 2013


Application Steps	Date
Application process open	July 1, 2013
Letter of interest *deadline*	September 16, 2013 at 5:00 pm
City extends invitation to apply	October 11, 2013
Full application *deadline*	November 8, 2013 at 5:00pm
Review Committee decision	December 2013

How will applications be assessed?

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

organization's history and track record;
proposal's ability to meet the goals and objectives of the grant program;
organization’s capacity to undertake the proposed work;
measurable results and likelihood of success; and
strategies and tools to engage and educate the community.

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

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

Appeals
You may appeal the decision regarding your grant application after Step 2 of the process. 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 application has been approved:

Successful recipients will be required to sign a legal funding agreement 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 funding 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 recipients may be offered an award less than the amount requested in the full application.
successful candidates must submit to the City of Toronto a finalized work plan and budget with itemized details prior to commencement of the project; the mutually agreed upon work plan and budget will be included in the funding agreement.
If your organization has charitable status and receives a full or partial GST 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 Director of the Environment & Energy 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.
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:

ceases operating;
ceases to operate as a non-profit organization or collective;
dissolves;
merges or amalgamates with any other party;
commences or has commenced against it, any proceedings of bankruptcy or is adjudged bankrupt;
has knowingly provided false information in its grant application;
uses grant funds for purposes not approved by the City of Toronto;
breaches any of the terms or conditions of the grant; or
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 authorize 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 must be in place prior to any work commencing and must be received by the City of Toronto before 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 Environment & Energy 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.

Contact Us

Live Green Toronto Grants
c/o Jeff McCormick
Senior Environment Planner
Environment & Energy Office
City Hall, 21st Floor, East Tower
100 Queen Street West
Toronto, Ontario,
M5H 2N2

Tel: 416-392-1135
E-mail: livegreengrants@toronto.ca

Live Green Toronto Grants

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