Letters of Intent Due March 22, 2024

The 2024 Spring Grant Round is open to a broad range of stakeholders and community partners who can be effective agents to advance efforts to enhance Ontario’s Greenbelt. Applicants can include registered charities or other qualified recipients such as incorporated non-profit organizations with audited financial statements, municipalities, First Nations, and conservation authorities with projects aligned to the funding streams. Organizations can apply individually or in collaboration with others. Lead applicants must be a registered charity or non-profit organization.

We are accepting Letters of Intent (LOIs) for our 2024 Spring Grant Round. LOIs are due by 5 p.m. on March 22, 2024.

Our Grant Guidelines provide helpful guidance on how to apply, an overview of the Foundation’s grant making approach; important considerations for applicants, and an outline of the three funding streams: Resilient Greenbelt, Sustainable Greenbelt and Accessible Greenbelt.

In addition to these three funding streams, the Foundation may support projects that respond to or inform immediate or emerging opportunities to enhance awareness or contributions made by the Greenbelt to support provincial goals.  All proposals will be reviewed in the context of their contributions towards the Foundation’s commitments to Truth and Reconciliation and addressing the challenges and solutions in managing Ontario’s growing population and the region’s climate resiliency.

Stay updated on our the latest calls for proposal, receiving direct information on submission guidelines and deadlines.

Across the Greenbelt geography, collaboration and inclusion is encouraged to increase the impact and reach of projects in communities within and adjacent to the Greenbelt.

Given their responsibility for implementing land-use plans at the local level, collaborations with municipalities could be particularly productive. Conservation and environmental organizations with relevant ecological expertise could be instrumental in helping deliver impactful protection, restoration, and natural infrastructure projects across the region that build climate resilience.

Collaborations in implementing sustainable agriculture practices to help farmers and agri-food operators adapt to climate variability, improve soil health, and support rural economies are welcome. Reaching organizations dedicated to increasing awareness of and engagement with the Greenbelt through education, outdoor recreation, and sustainable tourism are key to supporting the Greenbelt’s longevity.

Through the Foundation’s commitment to strengthening relationships with local Indigenous Peoples and acknowledging the cultural ties to the Greenbelt’s natural landscapes, the Grant Funding Program will prioritize the capacity to honour Indigenous Knowledge Systems and the building of relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous organizations to protect and maintain the Greenbelt and its rural economies.

Support will be provided for principles and practices that strengthen collaboration and contribute to creating more equitable communities in the Greenbelt. Specifically, supporting the interests and engagement of Indigenous, Black, and other racialized communities is encouraged, including collaborative frameworks and strategies that advance efforts to create meaningful equity.

To better assist you in getting the information you need, we've compiled a selection of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

• View Frequently Asked Questions
  What doesn't the Greenbelt Foundation fund?

  Typically, the Foundation does not consider requests for:

  • Buildings and infrastructure (i.e. bricks, mortar)
  • Deficit financing
  • Land claim disputes
  • Establishment of new farmers' markets
  • Projects occurring outside the Greenbelt and Greater Golden Horseshoe region
  • Projects that are solely sponsorships, festivals, and events
  • General management costs for the recipient or grantees, including board and committee meetings that are not specific to the Project
  • Legal costs not necessary for the Project
  • Costs of alcohol
  • Costs of travel outside Ontario
  • Costs associated with preparing and submitting grant proposals and letters of intent unless funding is given for a planning grant or feasibility study
  • Refundable expenses

  
  Who is eligible to apply?

  Charities and incorporated not for profit organizations are eligible to apply. However, the Foundation does not fund individuals.

  Do you fund municipalities or other government (tax supported) bodies?

  Yes, the Foundation does fund municipal governments to undertake innovative and leading-edge projects that benefit the Greenbelt.

  Does the Foundation consider multi-year grants? What are the criteria?

  Yes, we do consider multi-year grants for compelling and appropriate proposals. Multi-year grants are dependent on the availability of funds.

  What is the maximum grant my organization can apply for?

  It is more useful to think in terms of applying for what your organization needs rather than applying for the maximum. If you have specific questions about the amount of your particular request, feel free to contact us.

  Does the Foundation fund salary and administration costs?

  Yes, the Foundation funds salary and administration costs for hiring new staff or extending the existing hours of current staff required to carry out the project. A reasonable proportion of management staff time for supervision will also be considered.

  Does the Foundation fund projects that occur outside of the Greenbelt?

  It is essential that each project has an obvious relation to, and direct impact on the Greenbelt.

  Do you require matching funds?

  Matching funds are encouraged, not required. However, the Foundation tracks the amount of funds leveraged through grantmaking.

  Does the Foundation consider staff and consultants as overhead?

  No, staff and consultants are not considered overhead. There are separate budget lines for those two expenditures in the budget template. Overhead is a portion of rent, utilities etc.

  Does the Foundation require the project budget along with Letter of Interest (LOI)?

  Yes, at the LOI stage we require an indication of how funds will be spent under each budget line using our budget template. A more detailed budget will be requested later if the applicant is requested to submit a full proposal.

After reading our Frequently Asked Questions, if you still have questions regarding eligibility, registration, your proposal, or a technical aspect of the application process, please contact the Grant Program staff.

Please note that the Greenbelt Foundation is a non-partisan, registered charity, separate from government, and has no formal role in the government's consultation process.

This project has received funding support from the Government of Ontario. Such support does not indicate endorsement by the Government of Ontario of the contents of this material.