Community Enhancement Program — Enhance Your Community Stream
ON, Canada
Money for community economic development in Northern Ontario
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grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|openingDateFebruary 11, 2021
- grant_single|grantStatusClosed
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Grant and Funding
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- Government of Ontario
- Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC)
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grant_card_status|open
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Your not-for-profit organization could get a contribution of up to $2 million to cover 50% of the costs of repairs and/or renovations to social and recreational facilities that contribute to a healthy and vibrant community and economic development in the
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This grant is specifically available to organizations located in Northern Ontario. The geographical eligibility targets northern communities to improve their infrastructure and economic development.
- Municipalities located in Northern Ontario.
- Indigenous communities located in Northern Ontario.
- Not-for-profit organizations based in Northern Ontario.
- Local Services Boards operating within Northern Ontario.
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$600,000
Upgrading playground equipment and installing safety features in the local park
$750,000
Creation of a multi-functional space in the local library to host community workshops
$2,000,000
Renovation of the community center to improve accessibility and modernize facilities
$1,750,000
Refurbishment of the local ice rink to improve energy efficiency and extend its usage
$900,000
Enhancing public recreational areas by adding bicycle paths and fitness stations
$1,300,000
Development of a local food cooperative to support sustainable agriculture and community welfare
grant_single_labels|admissibility
Eligibility for the Enhance Your Community Funding Stream is determined by specific criteria related to the applicant and the nature of the projects they propose.
- Eligible applicants include municipalities, Indigenous communities, not-for-profit organizations, and Local Services Boards located in Northern Ontario.
- Projects must focus on incremental improvements, repairs, and renovations which enhance and extend the useful life of community facilities contributing to a healthy and vibrant community.
- Projects should involve initiatives that respond to economic opportunities or contribute to the improved quality of life for the community, such as business strategies and community economic development activities.
- All buildings, facilities or land improved with funding must be owned or leased by the applicant.
- Applicants should align projects with a community or organizational plan, demonstrating sustainability and well-being for the community.
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Municipalities, Indigenous communities, not-for-profit organizations, and Local Services Boards located in Northern Ontario.
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The Enhance Your Community Stream grant supports projects that strengthen the infrastructure and economic development of Northern Ontario communities. Eligible projects include improvements to capital assets and strategies that enhance community well-being and economic opportunities.
- Incremental improvements, repairs, and renovations to social and recreational facilities, municipal assets, and community halls.
- Implementation of business retention and attraction strategies.
- Projects identifying and implementing investment opportunities.
- Construction and/or renovation of capital assets supporting community economic development.
- Implementation of community economic development projects, including related non-capital costs, technical expertise, and additional human resources.
- Projects aligned with NOHFC’s strategic initiatives responding to regional economic priorities.
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The grant supports expenses directly associated with community economic development projects and capital improvements.
- Incremental improvements, repairs, and/or renovations to enhance capital assets.
- Construction and/or renovation costs of capital assets fostering community economic development.
- Non-capital costs related to community economic development projects.
- Technical expertise necessary for project implementation.
- Incremental project-related human resources expenses.
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Projects under this grant are evaluated based on criteria that ensure they contribute to the program's objectives of enhancing community vitality and sustainability.
- Identification and alignment with a planning process such as community or organizational plan.
- Support for the sustainability and well-being of communities.
- How the project builds on and optimizes the capacity and efficiency of existing infrastructure.
- Strength of project plan that identifies the technical, managerial and financial capacity for implementing the project and sustaining the facility.
- Demonstration of how an NOHFC investment is necessary to make the project viable.
grant_single_labels|register
Here are the steps to submit an application for this grant:
- Step 1: Register on NOHFC Portal
- Create a My Ontario Account if you do not already have one.
- Access the NOHFC portal using your My Ontario Account credentials.
- Step 2: Understand Eligibility
- Ensure your organization is eligible: municipalities, Indigenous communities, not-for-profit organizations, and Local Services Boards in Northern Ontario can apply.
- Review project eligibility criteria and ensure your project aligns with them.
- Step 3: Prepare Application
- Gather necessary documents: project plan, budgets, timelines, and any additional supporting documents.
- Demonstrate alignment with a planning process and how NOHFC funding is necessary for project viability.
- Step 4: Complete Application on Portal
- Log into the NOHFC portal using your My Ontario Account.
- Complete the application form thoroughly, ensuring all sections are accurately filled out.
- Upload all necessary documents as part of your online application submission.
- Step 5: Submit Application
- Review the entire application for completeness and accuracy before submission.
- Submit the application via the NOHFC portal by the specified deadline.
- Step 6: Receive Confirmation
- Check for a confirmation email to confirm receipt of your application.
- Keep track of your application number for future reference.
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Here is additional relevant information for the Enhance Your Community Funding Stream:
- A My Ontario Account is required to access the new NOHFC portal for application submission.
- Any facility or land improved through NOHFC funding must be either owned or leased by the applicant organization.
- The NOHFC funding might require reimbursement if the financed assets are sold within the first three years after project completion.
- Applicants are encouraged to explore other federal or provincial funding sources before seeking NOHFC funding.
Apply to this program
Fund Your Community Enhancement Objectives
This grant stream provides municipalities and other eligible organizations in Northern Ontario with funding to support community priorities that enhance the quality of life and economic development. By focusing on the sustainability of communities, the funding aims to secure long-lasting benefits through strategic investments.
Expand Your Community's Potential through the Enhancement Grant
Designed exclusively for Northern Ontario, the "Enhance Your Community Stream" under the Community Enhancement Program seeks to bolster the region’s social and economic fabric by offering financial aid to municipalities, Indigenous communities, local services boards, and non-profit organizations. The primary aim of this funding stream is to facilitate incremental improvements or renovations that extend the life of critical infrastructure and contribute to healthier, stronger communities.
Projects considered for funding encompass a wide range of activities aligned with community and economic development priorities. Eligible projects include both the physical renovation of social, recreational, and municipal facilities, and the strategic development initiatives targeting economic opportunities. This could involve the formulation of business retention and attraction strategies or identifying and leveraging potential investment avenues that adhere to the development framework set by the NOHFC Board of Directors.
What sets this funding stream apart is its focus on enhancing existing infrastructures and aligning projects with strategic community plans. Projects chosen will not only need to demonstrate a clear alignment with community objectives but also provide a robust project plan showcasing technical, managerial, and financial competence to ensure completion and sustainability. Furthermore, applicants must convincingly demonstrate the necessity of NOHFC's investment for the viability of their projects.
Under this funding program, conditional contributions are capped at the lesser of 50% of eligible costs or $2,000,000. However, it is essential for applicants to understand that limited funds mean not every application that meets the eligibility prerequisites will receive funding. Additionally, projects are evaluated based on both their capacity to serve immediate community needs and their potential for fostering long-term development goals.
In line with NOHFC regulations, the funding prioritizes projects that actively contribute to community well-being and infrastructure longevity, thus excluding core municipal infrastructure such as roads or residential projects, and prohibiting funds to cover operational expenses or maintenance. Instead, the program favors ventures that yield tangible socio-economic benefits, bolstering the regions’ capacity to attract and sustain economic growth.
This critical support mechanism embodies both a challenge and an opportunity for Northern Ontario communities. The challenge lies in presenting a well-articulated project that matches the rigorous criteria set forth by NOHFC. However, for those able to produce compelling proposals, this grant represents an unparalleled opportunity to achieve significant community enhancements and bolster the region's socio-economic landscape.
