October 26, 1998
To:Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee
From:City Clerk
Subject:City of Toronto Grants Policy
Recommendation:
The Municipal Grants Review Committee on October 26, 1998, recommended to the Strategic
Policies and Priorities Committee the adoption of the attached report (September 16, 1998)
from the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services respecting the City of
Toronto Grants Policy.
City Clerk
R. Dyers/tl
Item No. 1
(Report dated September 16, 1998, addressed to the
Municipal Grants Review Committee from the
Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services)
Purpose:
To seek approval of a grants policy for the City of Toronto.
Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:
Not applicable.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
(1)the City of Toronto Grants Policy be adopted as presented in Appendix 1;
(2)the Anti-Racism, Access and Equity Policy Guidelines be adopted as presented in
Appendix2;
(3)the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services, in consultation with the
appropriate officials, be directed to prepare the administrative guidelines described under
Section XVI of the proposed policy for the review of the Municipal Grants Review
Committee at its October meeting; and
(4)the appropriate City officials be authorized to and directed to take the necessary action to
give effect thereto.
Council Reference/Background/History:
At its meeting of February 4, 1998, City Council directed the Commissioner of Community
and Neighbourhood Services to undertake the research and consultation necessary to develop
an integrated Municipal Grants Policy, including revised grants policies for each service area.
At its meeting of March 4, 1998, City Council established the Municipal Grants Review
Committee with terms of reference that included, inter alia, steering "the development of an
integrated Municipal Grants Policy for implementation in 1999 and, after consultation with
the relevant Standing Committees, recommend approval of the policy to the Strategic Policies
and Priorities Committee".
At its meeting of July 27, 1998, the Municipal Grants Review Committee had before it a
report from the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services providing an
overview of the work to date on the development of a Municipal Grants Policy. The
Committee endorsed the direction being taken as set out in the that report.
Discussion:
Why the City Makes Grants:
This question could be asked in a different way--"why does the City not deliver all services to
residents itself?" While some may see making grants as "giving money away", this policy
takes the view that grants are strategic tools that move the City closer to its social, economic
and cultural goals and reduce the onus on the City to provide all services directly. They do
this by using community organizations that are more efficient, have lower operating costs, and
are closer to the people they serve.
In some cases, community organizations are better equipped to serve community needs than
the City. Organizations serving ethno-racial and Aboriginal communities, for example, are
better suited to deliver culturally-appropriate services. In other areas, services may be better
accepted if delivered by community agencies and not the perceived officialdom of the City.
There are some key benefits to investing in the community with grants. First, a strong
voluntary sector provides meaningful opportunities for residents to participate in governance
and civic life. Second, grants help communities build their own capacity by drawing upon
their own talents and resources to identify needs and develop solutions. Third, there are
considerable economic spin-offs from the City's investment: employment, ancillary spending,
and, in the case of culture, economic development and recreation grants, the benefits that
tourism brings to the City.
Key Concepts:
The policy is based on the premise that grants are a form of partnership or investment that
helps the City achieve its goals for its residents. Although it must remain sympathetic to all
worthy causes within its boundaries, the City should not consider its grant-making activities
as charity. Rather, this policy establishes a framework for the evaluation of its granting
programs in light of their contribution to the City's strategic plans.
Another underlying premise is the idea that the grant is only one of many tools available to
the City in any given policy area. Often grants are used in combination with other tools. For
example, the City supplements its extensive recreation programs with grants to organizations
that deliver community-based services.
While it may be tempting to compare grants programs to each other, these comparisons are
less important than comparisons between the various tools that may be used in any one policy
area. Instead of comparing resources and practices between grants programs, the more
important issue in grants policy is to determine how much should be allocated to grants versus
other policy instruments in any given area.
The Approach:
This report contains two appendices. The first is a general policy for all of the City's
grant-making activities. The second contains Anti-Racism, Access and Equity Policy
Guidelines called for in Section VI of the policy.
The policy begins with a preamble that is meant to establish the City's beliefs about its
grant-making activities. It categorizes five different types of grants, from the grants programs
administered by departments, to the ad hoc grant requests received directly by Council
throughout the year. The policy establishes principles and procedures for each of the types.
Section XVI of the proposed policy calls for the development of administrative guidelines to
further guide the city's grant-making activities. The work on these guidelines is not complete,
but it is recommended that these guidelines be prepared for the October meeting of the
Committee.
Similarly, Clause No. (2) of Section IX calls for the development of procedures for the review
and administration of line-item and ad hoc grants. These too will be prepared for the October
meeting.
Conclusions:
This report sets out a policy governing the administration of the City's grant-making activities.
The policy represents the general, over-arching principles that govern grant-making. Specific
policies for each of the grants programs will be submitted to Council under separate cover.
Contact:
John Elvidge
Tel: 392-9046
E-Mail: john_d._elvidge@metrodesk.metrotor.on.ca
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Appendix 1
(Revised)
City of Toronto Grants Policy
Contents:
I.Preamble
II.Scope
III.Purpose
IV.Authority
V.Definitions
VI.Access and Non-Discrimination Policies
VII.Grants Programs
VIII.General Policies for the Administration of Grants
IX.Administration of Line-item grants
X.Use of City Grants
XI.Repayment of Grants
XII.Unused Grants
XIII.Accounting
XIV.Limitation of Liability and Indemnification
XV.Further Conditions
XVI.Administration Guidelines
I.Preamble:
The City of Toronto believes that grants are an important means of achieving its social,
cultural and economic goals. It recognizes that not all services and programs that benefit its
residents should be provided by the City alone. Similarly, it recognizes that not all services
can be provided by the private sector.
The City is committed to making grants to help communities draw upon their own talents and
resources to identify needs and develop appropriate programs and services.
The City of Toronto is committed to a strong and vibrant voluntary sector. By supporting a
City-wide network of community organizations, the City encourages its residents to engage in
civic life and participate in decision-making.
The City recognizes that community organizations can deliver many services more efficiently,
and with a greater degree of community acceptance. Furthermore, it recognizes that City
grants help leverage other resources from the community, business and other governments.
The City of Toronto's grant-making activities will be guided by the following core values:
(1)Accessibility - All qualified applicants will have the opportunity to make application to
City of Toronto.
(2)Fairness and equity - No organization or individual will receive less favourable treatment
on the grounds of geography, race, nationality, age, religion, gender, sexual orientation
disability or ethnic origin.
(3)Openness and transparency - The City of Toronto will make information about the
evaluation processes and criteria publicly accessible.
(4)Accountability - The City of Toronto will make information about its granting activities
available to the public and will ensure that grants made by the City are used for the purposes
for which they are provided.
(5)Responsiveness - The City of Toronto's will involve the community in the ongoing review
of community needs and will ensure that its grants programs are able to meet new and
emerging needs.
II.Scope:
This policy applies to all grant-making activities of the City of Toronto as further described in
this policy. It does not apply to purchase-of-service arrangements.
III.Purpose:
The purpose of this policy is to establish standards and common practices for all of its
grant-making activities to ensure consistency and fairness.
IV.Authority:
The general municipal grant-making authority is derived from section 113 of the Municipal
Act which states:
"...the council of every municipality may, subject to section 111 [which prevents bonusing],
make grants, on such terms and conditions as to security and otherwise as the council may
consider expedient, to any person, institution, association, group or body of any kind,
including a fund, within or outside the boundaries of the municipality for any purpose that, in
the opinion of the council, is in the interests of the municipality."
Section 34 of The Planning Act provides additional grant-making authority related to carrying
out community improvement plans:
"... the municipality may make grants or loans to the registered owners or assessed owners of
lands and buildings within the community improvement project area to pay for the whole or
any part of the cost of rehabilitating such lands and buildings in conformity with the
community improvement plan."
V.Definitions:
(1)"Administration grant" means a grant made towards the administrative or overhead costs of
an organization.
(2)"Grant" means a transfer of cash by the City to a third party under section 113 of The
Municipal Act.
(3)"Grants program" means a program that has its own Council-approved guidelines and has a
pre-determined budget allocation provided in the City's annual operating budget from which
individual grants are allocated.
(4)"Ongoing grant" means a grant made to an organization on an annual basis.
(5)"Line-item grant" means a grant that does not fall within an established grants program that
appears as an itemized grant in the City's budget and accounting system.
(6)"Program grant" means a grant made for a specific service or activity of an organization.
(7)"Project grant" means a grant made for a specific, time-limited activity.
VI.Access and Non-Discrimination Policies:
(1)The population of the City of Toronto is made up of people from diverse communities and
equity-seeking groups, e.g., women, people with disabilities, ethnocultural and racial
minorities, immigrants and refugees, faiths, the poor, Aboriginal peoples, lesbian, gay,
bisexual, transgendered persons. In recognition and support of this diversity, the City of
Toronto will ensure that:
(a)it provides access for organizations representing these communities to the grants programs
provided by the City of Toronto. This includes access to grants information, applications, staff
resources, decision-making and funding; and
(b)the services, programs and decision-making provided by organizations receiving grants are
accessible to all residents of Toronto and that organizations receiving City grants are free
from discrimination.
(2)This policy recognizes that the changing nature of the population has implications for the
operation of the City's grants programs as well as the delivery of services supported by City
grants. In this context, the City recognizes that:
(a)barriers to services exist for members of the City's diverse communities, particularly for
equity-seeking groups;
(b)organizations representing equity-seeking groups (e.g., women's organizations, Aboriginal
organizations, ethno-specific and disability organizations) must continue to play a critical role
in service delivery; and
(c)the City of Toronto must act as a positive force in assisting the elimination of these barriers
by providing support to both mainstream and equity-seeking organizations through the change
process.
(3)The City of Toronto will establish guidelines to assist organizations receiving City grants
in their efforts to integrate anti-racism, access and equity throughout their operations.
(4)The City of Toronto will establish guidelines to assist City staff responsible for grants
administration in their efforts to integrate anti-racism, access and equity in grants programs.
VII.Grants Programs:
(1)The City of Toronto will establish and provide grants in the categories described in the
following schedule:
Schedule A - City of Toronto Grants Programs
Type |
Includes: |
Existing Programs |
I. Service Sector Grants
Programs |
- Grant programs that have a
predetermined budget allocation in
the annual operating budget.
- Grant programs that have pre-announced,
fixed deadlines.
|
- Arts and Culture Grants
- Community Services Grants
- Recreation Grants
- Drug Abuse Prevention Grants
- AIDS Prevention Grants
- Access and Equity Grants
- Economic Development
Parntership Programs
- Commerical Research Grants
- Festivals and Special Events
Grants
|
II. First-Come-First-Serve Grants
Programs |
- Grant programs that have a predetermined budget
allocation in the annual operating budget.
Grant programs that process applications on a
first-come-first-serve basis
|
- Termite control grants
- Heritage fund grants
- Yonge/Dundas Commercial Facade
Improvement Program
|
III. Designated Special Needs
Grants |
- Grant programs that have a predetermined budget
allocation in the annual operating budget.
Grant programs where applications are distributed to a
targeted or limited applicant base on an invitational or
request-for-proposal basis
|
|
IV. Annual Line-Item Grants |
- Grants that are itemized in the annual operating budget
Activities that are do not fall within the mandates of Type
I, II, or III grants
|
|
V. Non Recurring, Ad Hoc
Line-Item Grants |
- Grants that have not been provided for in the annual
operating budget.
Activities that are do not fall within the mandates of Type
I, II, or III grants
|
|
(2)Only Council may establish or delete a grants program.
VIII.General Policies for the Administration of Grants Programs:
(1)For each of its grants programs, the City of Toronto will provide all potential and returning
applicants with the following information:
(a)program goals and objectives;
(b)eligibility criteria;
(c)evaluation or assessment criteria;
(d)expectations of grant recipients;
(e)procedures for obtaining and submitting applications;
(f)procedures for the review and evaluation of applications; and
(g)the total amount of grants available, range of grant amounts, number of grants made
annually, and the duration of grants.
(2)For each of its grants programs, the City of Toronto will:
(a)provide staff assistance in advising applicants and in devising applications prior to the
application deadlines;
(b)involve individuals with appropriate expertise in the review process, which may include a
peer/citizen review mechanism;
(c)provide an appeal process and provide review results in writing in time for applicants to
exercise any rights to appeal;
(d)provide for staff follow-up and evaluation of how funding was used;
(e)develop evaluation and monitoring strategies to ensure that individual organizations
achieve their outcomes and that funding programs achieve their stated objectives;
(f)collect only the information related to the review and monitoring processes; and
(g)make all granting decisions publicly available.
IX.Administration of Line-Item Grants (Schedule A: Types IV and V):
(1)Criteria - All applications must meet the following minimum criteria:
(a)Consistency with City's objectives - The activity or outcomes for which funds are sought
must support one or more goals of the City of Toronto;
(b)Financial Need - The applicant must demonstrate that it does not otherwise have the
resources necessary to undertake the activity for which funds are sought.
(c)Not-for-profit status - The applicant must demonstrate that the activity for which funds are
sought will be organized without financial gain for its members or directors.
(d)Status of the organization - The applicant must be in good-standing with the City of
Toronto, having met the terms and conditions of any previous grants provided to the applicant
by the City.
(2)The City of Toronto will establish guidelines for the review and administration of line-item
grants.
X.Use of City Grants:
(1)The grant shall be used only for the purpose approved by City Council, as further described
in the grant recipient's grant application form. The grant recipient shall notify the City of any
proposed material changes to the nature of, or budget for, the activities for which the grant has
been made and shall use the grant for such altered activities only with the prior written
consent of the City or the Commissioner designated by Council to act on its behalf.
(2)The grant recipient shall not transfer or assign the grant or any part thereof to another
organization or individual, without the prior written consent of the City or the Commissioner
designated by Council to act on its behalf.
XI.Repayment of Grants:
(1)The grant recipient shall, at the request of the City, repay to the City the whole or any part
of the grant as determined by the City, if the grant recipient:
(a)ceases operating;
(b)ceases to operate as a non-profit organization;
(c)winds-up or dissolves;
(d)merges or amalgamates;
(e)commences, or has commenced against it, any proceedings in bankruptcy or is adjudged a
bankrupt;
(f)has knowingly provided false information in its grant application;
(g)uses grant funds for purposes not approved by City Council;
(h)breaches any of the terms or conditions of the grant; or
(i)breaches any of the provisions of the Ontario Human Rights Code in its operations.
(2)The grant recipient shall notify the City of the occurrence of any of the events referred to in
clauses (1)(a) through (1)(e).
(3)The City may, in its sole discretion, require the grant recipient to pay interest on any
amount required to be repaid pursuant to this section at the prime rate of the Royal Bank of
Canada from the date of the request for repayment to the date of repayment.
XII.Unused Funds:
Any unused portion of a grant remains the property of the City. If an unused portion of the
grant has already been paid by the City to the grant recipient, it shall be repaid by the recipient
to the City on request.
XIII.Accounting:
(1)The grant 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 City Council.
(2)The grant recipient authorizes the City and its agents 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 City Council. This right of inspection includes the right to perform a full or partial audit of
the aforementioned records, as considered appropriate by the City.
XIV.Limitation of Liability and Indemnification:
(1)The City shall not be liable for any damages, injury or any loss of use or profit of the
recipient arising out of, or in any way related to, the grant recipient's operations.
(2)The grant recipient shall indemnify the City, 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.
XV.Further Conditions:
The City shall be entitled, at any time, to impose such additional terms and conditions on the
use of the grant which, in its sole discretion, it deems appropriate.
XVI.Administration Guidelines:
To ensure the City is consistent in all of its grant-making activities, the City of Toronto will
establish guidelines for all departments, agencies, boards and commissions with respect to the
following administrative matters:
(1)Guidelines for the use and preparation of terms and conditions, grant agreements, contracts
or other legal instruments between the City and the grant recipient.
(2)Guidelines for record keeping necessary to assist the work of the City Auditor
(3)Guidelines for record keeping necessary to meet the obligations of the Municipal Freedom
of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
(4)Guidelines for accounting and financial reporting procedures.
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Appendix 2
City of Toronto Grants Policy
Anti-Racism, Access and Equity Policy Guidelines
I. Policy Statement:
The population of the City of Toronto is made up of people from diverse communities and
equity-seeking groups, e.g., women, people with disabilities, ethnocultural and racial
minorities, immigrants and refugees, faiths, the poor, Aboriginal peoples, lesbian, gay,
bisexual, transgendered persons. In recognition and support of this diversity, the City as a
funder will ensure that:
(1)it provides access for organizations representing these communities to the grants programs
provided by the City of Toronto. This includes access to grants information, applications, staff
resources, decision-making and funding; and
(2)the services, programs and decision-making provided by organizations receiving grants are
accessible to all residents of Toronto and that organizations receiving City grants are free
from discrimination.
This policy recognizes that the changing nature of the population has implications for the
operation of the City's grants programs as well as the delivery of services supported by City
grants. In this context, the City recognizes that:
(1)barriers to services exist for members of the City's diverse communities, particularly for
equity-seeking groups;
(2)organizations representing equity-seeking groups (e.g., women's organizations, Aboriginal
organizations, ethno-specific and disability organizations) must continue to play a critical role
in service delivery; and
(3)the City of Toronto, as a funder, must act as a positive force in assisting the elimination of
these barriers by providing support to both mainstream and equity-seeking organizations
through the change process.
Access to services is the ability or extent to which communities or residents can attain needed
services and achieve full participation in the planning, development, administration and
delivery of those services. Access includes consumer/client access and organizational access.
To achieve this:
(1)The City of Toronto will ensure its diverse communities, particularly those facing barriers
and other forms of discrimination and disadvantage, have equitable access to its own services,
resources and decision-making in order that all communities can fully participate in the City's
social, economic, cultural and political life.
(2)The City of Toronto will also require organizations receiving City grants to undertake
planned and co-ordinated activities aimed at enabling diverse communities, particularly those
facing barriers and other forms of discrimination and disadvantage, to participate fully in their
services, programs and decision-making.
(3)The City of Toronto undertakes this because it believes that when every individual makes a
conscious effort to bring about equality and to engage in egalitarian practices, the City will be
able to effect the systemic and social changes needed to create a community where all people
live with dignity and peace. The City of Toronto also believes that its diverse communities
need to partner with and assist each other in developing actions to eradicate discrimination
and attain equality in our society and that the City can play a proactive and supportive role in
this process.
II.Implementation
To implement these principles, the City of Toronto's grants programs will ensure that:
(1)all organizations receiving City grants are non-discriminatory and promote the goals of
anti-racism, access and equity;
(2)all organizations receiving City grants take reasonable steps to ensure their services,
programs and decision-making reflect the community they serve;
(3)the City of Toronto's grants programs are accessible to organizations from Toronto's
diverse communities, including organizations representing equity-seeking communities; and
(4)all required documentation and conditions will be reasonable and grants will not be
withheld if the applicant is taking reasonable steps to comply with City policy.
Actions required to do this are described below.
(1)Declaration of Non-Discrimination:
Every person has the right to live, work and serve in an environment free of individual as well
as systemic harassment and discrimination. Regarding the operation of the City's grants
programs, the City of Toronto requires that all individuals and organizations adopt a policy of
access and non-discrimination based on the City's Human Rights Policy as a condition of
receiving a grant or other support from the City's grants programs. Under the Ontario Human
Rights Code, discrimination means someone is being treated unfairly because of her/his race,
colour, ancestry, place of origin (where a person was born), ethnic background, citizenship,
creed (religion), sex, disability, sexual orientation, age, marital status and family status. In
some cases, discrimination also means someone is being treated unfairly because he or she
receives welfare, or if the person has been pardoned for a criminal offence. The declaration
(copy attached) must be completed by individuals and organizations applying for grants or
other supports.
Discrimination could occur on the basis of employment, services, contractual arrangements,
or membership in unions. It is essential to develop complaint/mediation policies for incidents
that could occur between employees, employees and management, employees and volunteers,
employees and consumers, as well as between agencies.
(2)Anti-Racism, Access and Equity Components:
The following components are provided as guidelines to assist organizations receiving City
grants in their efforts to integrate anti-racism, access and equity throughout their operations.
The components address anti-racism, access and equity in the following areas: (a)
Governance; (b) Employment; (c)Services; (d) Choice; (e) Training and Education; and (f)
Information and Communications.
(a)Access to Governance - Organizations receiving City grants will ensure that members of
the City's diverse communities have equitable access to the organization's decision-making
process. This includes decision-making, policymaking, budgeting and allocations. The Board
of Directors, its volunteer committees and staff need to be representative of the diversity of
the community it serves, as well as be responsive to the changing demographics. New board
members should be educated and trained to effectively govern the organization. The Board
has to be accountable to its members and communities.
(b) Access to Employment - Organizations receiving City grants will ensure that members of
the City's diverse communities have equitable access to employment. This includes
recruitment, selection, staff development, performance evaluation, retention, promotion,
termination. It also requires the identification and removal of systemic barriers so that the
organization's staff are representative of diverse communities and are able to serve the needs
of the changing population.
(c)Access to Services - Organizations receiving City grants will ensure that they undertake
planned and co-ordinated activities aimed at making their services and programs accessible to
diverse communities. This includes examining and making appropriate changes to those who
provide the organization's services, those who are receiving services and the way in which
services are provided to ensure they are non-discriminatory and promote the goals of
anti-racism, access and equity. In this context, the organization's outreach, communications,
and structures for intake, referral, needs assessment, program planning, monitoring and
evaluation must be examined and appropriately changed.
In addition, organizations receiving City grants must take into consideration provision of
services to disadvantaged individuals, low-income persons, families in poverty, and
equity-seeking communities.
(d)Access to Choice - Organizations receiving City grants will ensure that their services,
programs and decision-making provide a range of service options that enable the consumer or
the community to make their own decisions about their lives and their community issues.
(e)Access to Training and Education - Organizations receiving City grants will ensure that
those involved in the delivery of services and programs are able to participate in appropriate
education and training aimed at improving their knowledge, understanding and skills in order
to work with and provide services to members of diverse communities, particularly
equity-seeking communities.
Such training and education may involve Board members, staff and volunteers and include
orientation and development in the areas of anti-racism, human rights, accommodation for
people with disabilities, sexual orientation in the workplace and the community, etc.
(f)Information and Communications - Organizations receiving City grants will ensure that
information on its services, programs and decision-making and how they can be accessed as
well as all of the organization's communications appropriately portray and are accessible to
diverse communities. This includes external and internal communication and must address
multilingual requirements as well as accommodate those who are sight and hearing impaired.
It is essential that the components listed above are implemented with an anti-racist approach.
In this context, organizations receiving City grants will be involved in the development and
promotion of unbiased attitudes, beliefs, policies and procedures as well as the identification
and elimination of derogatory behaviours, actions, and practices of Board members, staff,
volunteers, community members, residents and the organization's policies and procedures that
have a direct or adverse impact on Aboriginal, ethno-racial and linguistic minority
communities.
III.Access To City Grants Programs:
In terms of the City's responsibilities, each City grant program will include the following into
the operations of their grants programs:
(1)Environmental Scanning and Priority Setting:
This will require all grants programs to identify demographic, community and service trends,
priorities of other funders, gaps in service and program delivery. This is done to enable grants
programs to establish priorities for funding on a regular basis and, thereby, to encourage
grants applicants to establish programs and services which meet community issues and needs.
(2)Allocation of Funds:
This will require all grants programs to undertake to provide funding based on both indicators
of community need and community demographics. The issue of need as well as community
demographics are determined in the environmental scanning process. In considering the
allocation of funds, each grants program will need to determine the demographic make-up of
the organizations seeking and receiving funding and undertake to ensure an equitable
distribution of funds. Particular consideration will be given to organizations representative of
equity-seeking communities.
(3)Outreach and Community Development:
This will require all grants programs to determine the most appropriate strategies to provide
community outreach and development. Each grants program will ensure a planned and
co-ordinated approach to these activities in order to increase the capacity of diverse
communities and their organizations, particularly those representing equity-seeking groups.
(4)Setting Performance Standards and Monitoring Results:
This will require all grants programs to establish performance measures to guide the
administration of grants programs and to set ways in which the grants administration process
can be reviewed, assessed and improved. Monitoring results of grants administration is also
essential to ensuring such programs are achieving their objectives, particularly respecting
equity-seeking groups.
(5)Assessment of Organizations:
This will require each grants program to ensure that its funded organizations or recipients of
other supports fulfil the anti-racism, access and equity policy outlined above. The policy is
designed to ensure full civic participation of all communities and specifically to engage in
efforts to achieve equality for all of Toronto's communities.
In addition, each grants program will require organizations receiving funds to develop access
and equity action plans and to submit a report on this annually along with the grants
application form. This information will be used in the grants assessment as well as become
part of the information which will be analysed and submitted to Council.
IV.Policy Implementation:
All of the City's grants programs are required to integrate the above policy and principles
within their operations. This will be done in ways that are appropriate to the operations of
each grants program and their capacity to undertake the activities identified above. To ensure
this is being done, all grants programs will report annually on actions being taken to
implement this policy.
In addition to reporting out annually, all grants programs will work together to streamline
requests from organizations receiving grants from more than one City grant program.
In terms of organizations receiving grants:
(1)all organizations will be required to file a Declaration of Non-Discrimination;
(2)organizations with total annual operating budgets greater than $25,000.00 will be required
to submit documentation regarding their anti-racism, access and equity policies.
(3)organizations receiving one-time grants will be required to include in their grant request
how they intend to address the City's policy principles.
The City of Toronto recognizes that inequities, discrimination and disadvantage are generated
and maintained through various means, including individual and systemic practices. To
address this, the City recognizes that it, as well as organizations seeking and receiving City
grants, needs to support the creation of an equitable society. Failure or unwillingness to
engage in such activities could result in negative consequences and result in the withholding
of City funding or the rejection of an application for funding.