Helping 648 non-profits recover from COVID-19 with $46M of funding

Through the Community Building Fund - Operating stream, 648 non-profit organizations have been awarded more than $46M in funding to help them rebuild and recover from the impacts of COVID-19. This funding will help organizations operate their facilities, deliver experiences or programs in new ways, and improve the well-being of Ontarians.

Non-profit organizations and communities across the province have been faced with significant challenges as a result of COVID-19. The arts and culture, heritage, tourism, sport and recreation sectors were particularly hard hit, with sudden lose in revenue, decrease in participants and visitors, and closure of offices, programs, and services. 

Through the Community Building Fund - Operating stream, we are supporting Ontario’s recovery and helping the non-profits and communities in these sectors rebuild from the impacts of COVID-19. Funding will help organizations sustain their operations in the short term and create new attractions, experiences and events for Ontarians. 

Further details about the new Community Building Fund - Operating stream grant recipients were provided today by Lisa MacLeod, Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries. Read more about the Government of Ontario’s announcement.

 

“While organizations were confronted with unprecedented challenges, they remained resilient and determined to meet the needs of their communities and remain operational. With the support of $46M of Community Building Fund – Operating stream funding, 648 organizations will get the support they need to deliver their programs and services in innovative ways, and provide new experiences and events to their communities,” said Katharine Bambrick, CEO of the Ontario Trillium Foundation. “Supporting local projects and helping organizations in their recovery is how together, we can build healthy and vibrant communities and improve the social and economic well-being of all Ontarians.”  

 

The Operating stream grant recipients will use their funding to recover and rebuild from the impacts of COVID-19 and will support their operations in the following ways: 

  • Maintain viability to operate facilities and/or deliver experiences or programs in the short and medium term 
  • Transform operations to meet public health requirements
  • Ensure sustainability to operate facilities and/or deliver experiences or programs in the long term 
  • Adapt to new ways of working  
  • Meet the changing needs of program and service delivery 
  • Enhance visitor and participant experiences


Quick Facts

  • 648 non-profits and Indigenous communities in the arts and culture, heritage, tourism, sport and recreation sectors are receiving more than $46M in funding through Community Building Fund - Operating stream.
  • The Community Building Fund is part of the 2020 Budget, Ontario’s Action Plan: Protect, Support, Recover. 
  • OTF continues to invest in Ontario’s non-profit sector through the Resilient Communities Fund to respond to the impacts of COVID-19 and support Ontario’s economic recovery. In 2020, the Resilient Communities Fund was delivered to communities across Ontario, awarding 1,045 grants totalling $83M to non-profit organizations such as museums, recreation facilities, community food centres, conservation programs, mental health programs and multicultural services.
  • By the end of 2021/2022, OTF will have invested an additional $92M into community organizations through the Resilient Communities Fund, contributing to the province’s economic well-being and enriching our cultural fabric. 
  • The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is an agency of the Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations.