Environmental Project Grant

• Completed application form (Schedule A) signed by the property owner for individuals and commercial businesses, and by an authorized representative of the organization if applicable.
• Confirmation that the project takes place within the Township of Lake of Bays, or tangibly benefits community interests as a Regional Special Project.
• Description of the applicant organization, including mandate, activities, membership, and not-for-profit incorporation number or charitable registration number if applicable.
• Details about how the funds will be used for projects, events, or services in the Township of Lake of Bays, and completed budget information including project expenses and revenue for the Watershed Fund stream only.
• Signed disclosure and release statement, plus additional materials such as letters of support or promotional material if applicable.

Who is eligible?

• Incorporated not-for-profit organizations and registered charities
• Commercial businesses, for-profit organizations, or individuals
• Community associations, including local chapters of provincial/national organizations with a mandate to service residents of Lake of Bays
• Unincorporated groups with not-for-profit goals and governance structure
• Other groups, individuals or organizations with programming that meets the intent of this policy, as endorsed by Council

Who is not eligible

• Organizations with political affiliations
• Faith organizations, unless hosting a local, non-denominational event
• Hospitals or any of their foundations, auxiliary groups or agencies
• School boards, primary and secondary schools, and post-secondary institutions
• Programs within legislated mandates of other government or Township departments, organizations receiving 80% or more of funding from senior levels of government, and organizations not in good standing or in litigation with the Township

Ineligible Costs and Activities

• Projects required under planning applications or enforcement.
• Program deficits or operating shortfalls.
• Activities outside applicable laws, bylaws, policies, and standards.

Eligible geographic areas

• Township of Lake of Bays

• Applications are evaluated by the Environmental Projects Grant Review Panel using the Assessment Tool (Schedule B).
• Applications should demonstrate alignment with one or more of the program categories.
• Financial Need and Sound Project Budget are considered for the Watershed Fund stream only.
• Minimum scores are required: 9 out of 12 for the Watershed stream, and 7 out of 9 for the Habitat and Biodiversity streams.
• Preference is given to new projects, events or services that have not received funding through the program in the past two years, and funds are allocated based on merit and available funds.

• Submit a completed application form (Schedule A) and include the required information and attachments.

• All submissions are reviewed by the Environmental Projects Grant Review Panel, and each application is evaluated using the Assessment Tool (Schedule B).
• Successful applicants are notified within four weeks of the end of the application period for the Habitat and Biodiversity streams; Watershed applicants are notified following approval of the Township operating budget for the year in which the project, event or service occurs.
• A notice of decision letter awarding funds states the provisions and requirements that apply to the grant.
• A notice of decision declining funds provides a rationale and the completed assessment tool for reference, and appeals may be heard by Council via delegation.
• Grant recipients must submit a final report (Schedule C) within three months after completion, outlining how the funding was spent and showing impact through photos, documents or news articles.

• When annual funds are depleted, applications will still be accepted but will need to be considered by Council.
• The program is at the discretion of the Council of the Township of Lake of Bays and may be cancelled at any time.