Purpose
The
purpose of this memo is to present information on the decisions of the
Allocations Committee for the 2009 Non-Renewable Community Project Funding
Program.
Executive
Summary
As part of the 2009 Budget, City Council approved $541,863 for the Community Project Funding Program to be allocated to eligible projects in 2009. The Allocations Committee approved 31 one-year projects for a total of $478,863. An amount of $63,000 was previously committed to three-year project funding in 2007 and 2008 (Annex 1). The Allocations Committee reviewed 91 applications for one-year and three-year community projects totaling $2.25 million in requests.
Background
The Non-Renewable (One-Time) Community Project Funding Program is included in the Community Funding Framework approved by Council on February 8, 2006. The objective of the Community Funding Framework is to support, through viable non-profit community-based organizations, the provision of community services that increase access to basics through inclusion of people who are low-income, at-risk, isolated or otherwise marginalized and promoting quality of life for the full diversity of citizens. On February 25, 2009, City Council approved the priorities for the 2009 Non-Renewable Community Project Funding Program. Funding priorities for 2009 are consistent with the Community Funding Framework and the Community Development Framework endorsed by Council on June 25, 2008.
Priorities for the 2009 Community Project Funding Program:
· Increase neighbourhood capacity to enact positive and sustainable change in planning, service delivery, improved health and/or improved safety in accordance with neighbourhood-defined goals;
· Promote the healthy development of children and youth 0-18 years and their development of competencies through recreation, leisure, cultural and arts activities;
· Increase participation of seniors in physical activity and community life to promote successful aging;
· Support inclusion of people who are low-income, at risk, isolated or otherwise marginalized and promote quality of life for the full diversity of citizens, through activities such as literacy, employment, physical activity and/or participation in cultural programs; and
· Promote conditions of equality on the basis of race, ethnicity, income, gender, official language and ability.
Summary of Timelines of the 2009 Community Project
Funding Program:
· Roll-out following Council approval of priorities on February 25, 2009; including public notification, notices to agencies, and availability of guidelines and application forms;
· Information sessions (two in English and two in French) and staff meeting with individual agencies during March and April 2009;
·
Deadline for submissions on April 22,
2009;
·
Allocations
Committee (see List of Members attached) comprised of representatives from
Advisory Committees, funders, community representatives, Crime Prevention
Ottawa and internal staff had an Orientation Session on May 14, 2009 and met
for three days during the week of May 25, 2009;
· Letters sent to all applicants informing them of results during the week of June 8, 2009;
· Payments are made upon receipt of signed agreements; and
· Staff continue to meet with agencies, upon request, for feedback on results
As in 2008, Community Funding Division and
Crime Prevention Ottawa proceeded with a joint application process, using one
application form, doing joint information sessions and joint initial screening.
Crime Prevention Ottawa proceeded with its own allocation process and will
provide information on its allocation results in a memo to members of Council.
Allocations Committee Membership, Process and
Decisions
The Allocations Committee brings together
representatives of various community groups (target populations), Advisory
Committees, funders and City staff (see Annex 2). An
orientation session was held for the Allocations Committee members on May 14,
2009 to provide information on the Community Funding Framework, the 2009
Community Funding Project Program priorities, and on the decision-making
processes and procedures. Members of the Allocations Committee received copies
of the applications and rating forms. All Committee members sign
Confidentiality and Conflict of Interest Agreements.
The Allocations Committee reviewed 91 applications and approved 31 one-year projects for a total of $478,863 (Annex 1). Funding requests for One-Year and Three-Year funding totaled $2,250,000. The amount allocated represents 34% of the total number of proposals received. The Allocations Committee did not approve any three-year projects for 2009. The maximum allocation for a project was $20,000 per year, as per the 2009 Community Project Funding Guidelines and Application.
The Allocations Committee met on May 25, 26,
27, and 29, 2009 to review the proposals, finalize the ratings, and select
projects. The projects selected
contained clearly defined objectives, were realistic, viable, cost-efficient,
demonstrated collaboration, accessibility, supported volunteer efforts, and had
an evaluation plan.
Through the 31 proposals approved for funding, all of the priorities and all target populations for 2009 Community Project Funding are being addressed. The breakdown is as follows:
Table 1: Summary of Projects Reflecting Priorities: Projects may address more than one priority
|
Project
Priorities |
Number
of Projects (out of 31) |
|
Increase
neighbourhood capacity to enact positive and sustainable change in planning,
service delivery, improve health and/or improve safety in accordance with
neighbourhood-defined goals. |
10 |
|
Promote the healthy
development of children and youth (0-18 years) and their development of
competencies through recreation, leisure, cultural and arts activities. |
14 |
|
Increase
participation of seniors in physical activities and community life to promote
successful aging |
9 |
|
Support inclusion
of people who are low income, at risk, isolated or otherwise marginalized and
promote quality of life for the full diversity of citizens through activities
such as literacy, employment, physical activity and/or participation in
cultural programs. |
27 |
|
Promote conditions
of equality on the basis of race, ethnicity, income, gender, official
language and ability. |
18 |