Program for financial contributions to the ecological transition

Who is eligible?

The Guide d’accompagnement Programme de contributions financières pour la transition écologique 2025, volet 1, outlines specific eligibility criteria for potential applicants wishing to advance ecological transition initiatives in Montreal.

• Eligible applicants must be non-profit organizations (OBNLs) duly constituted under Quebec's Companies Act Part III or the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act, or a non-profit cooperative under the Quebec Cooperative Act.
• Applicants must operate within the territory of Montreal.
• Applicants need to be compliant with all legislation applicable to their organization.
• Complete submission of required information and documents by the prescribed application deadline is mandatory.

Who is not eligible

This grant excludes certain organizations from eligibility based on their revenue sources and primary mission. Restrictions aim to ensure that the benefits support entities focused on the ecological transition.

• Organizations with more than 50% revenue generated from product or service sales.
• Parapublic organizations.
• Political, professional union, or religious groups.
• Government agencies or organizations resulting from public-private partnerships.
• Organizations with a primary mission of conducting research activities.
• Educational institutions.
• Private foundations and other entities primarily focused on redistributing funds to non-profits.

Eligible expenses

The grant covers expenses that are directly tied to the execution of the project involving necessary goods or services.

• Research and project design costs, fees, and target audience recruitment.
• Speakers' fees, materials and equipment, assembly or installation costs.
• Documentation costs (video, Internet, photos, etc.), press relations, social media, and communication tools.
• Project coordination, administration, insurance costs, etc.

The evaluation and selection of projects for this grant are based on specific criteria, each with a defined weight, to ensure the alignment with the overarching goals of ecological transition and community resilience as outlined in Montreal’s strategic plans.

• Evaluation of the applicant (15%)
• Alignment of the applicant’s mission with the city’s ecological transition and resilience orientations. (5%)
• Demonstrated capacity to accomplish the proposed activities. (5%)
• Qualifications of the main project contributors. (5%)
• Project evaluation (85%)
• Relevance of the project for the implementation of the Climate Plan 2020-2030, the Urban Agriculture Strategy 2021-2026, or the Waste Management Master Plan 2020-2025. (20%)
• Quantitative outcomes, systemic impacts, sustainability, and scale of the project. (35%)
• Proponent’s knowledge and project coherence with the targeted context. (10%)
• Technical feasibility (objectives, resources, and timelines). (10%)
• Quality of project planning, including financial structuring, budget breakdown, and alignment with methodologies. (10%)

Here are the steps to submit an application for this grant:

• Step 1: Review Eligibility and Guidelines
• Ensure your organization meets all eligibility criteria for applicants and projects.
• Carefully read the detailed guide and eligibility requirements.
• Step 2: Document Preparation
• Gather all necessary documents including the completed application form, letters of incorporation, updated list of board members, organizational bylaws, latest financial statements, and board resolutions authorizing the application.
• Prepare a detailed project presentation outlining the connection with the city's climate and urban agriculture strategies.
• Prepare an annual budget showing projected revenues and expenses for the entire project, including the portion covered by the grant.
• Include letters of commitment from partners, if applicable.
• Step 3: Submission Process
• Prepare to submit your application during the announced project call periods for a maximum duration of three years.
• Email the completed application and all required documents to bter@montreal.ca by the specified deadlines.
• Step 4: Acknowledgement of Receipt
• Receive an acknowledgement receipt from the application email submission.

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

• Projects must commence within 120 days following the signing of the financial contribution agreement.
• A contribution of at least 25% of the total project value is required from the applicant, which can be in kind.
• The program emphasizes the importance of projects that have a high potential for replication or contribute significantly to systemic change.
• Funding is limited to a maximum of $50,000 per project.
• Eligible projects must provide a detailed financial breakdown demonstrating anticipated revenue and expenses.
• The program allows funding for up to three years maximum, with ongoing evaluation of project outcomes required.
• A mid-term report and final report are necessary to receive subsequent funding installments.