The Community Program The Community Program provides grants for proposals that have primarily a local impact. The Community Program is delivered by staff and volunteers located in 16 catchment areas across the province. Each catchment area has local staff supported by Grant Review Teams made up of between 18 and 25 local volunteers that help assess applications by examining how well proposed activities fit with OTF’s granting priorities and assessment criteria and meet local needs. Through the Community Program, the Foundation makes grants of up to $375,000 over five years. This can include up to $75,000 per year for operating or project expenses and up to $150,000 over one or more years for capital initiatives such as building renovations and/or equipment purchases. The decision to fund all or part of a request depends on how well an application fits with OTF’s granting priorities and assessment criteria as well as the overall demand and granting budget in the catchment area. Additional information for small municipalities and Local Services Boards Small municipalities (populations of 20,000 or less) and Local Services Boards may apply for Community grants in the arts and culture and sports and recreation sectors only. An application may include funding for more than one initiative in a sector as long as the initiatives have related goals and outcomes. Small municipalities and Local Services Boards may hold two grants at a time provided one of the grants is for a library. Applications, on behalf of a library or any other municipal agency must be submitted by the municipality itself. Operating costs that have been previously funded by the municipality are not eligible for OTF funding. In addition to meeting the standard assessment criteria, applications from small municipalities and Local Services Boards must demonstrate: • Strong community partnerships and clear community support for the initiatives for which funding is being requested • Volunteer involvement in the delivery of and decision-making for the initiative • Clear rationale as to why the municipality, rather than another community organization, is the best choice to lead the initiative • The ability of the municipality to attract contributions from other sources, including cash, in-kind contributions and volunteer hours Additional information for library applications • Applications for grants for municipal libraries serving small communities (populations of 20,000 or less) must be submitted through the municipality • Applications for grants for county libraries serving small municipalities (populations of 20,000 or less) must be submitted through the County Library Board • Applications for grants for First Nation libraries must be submitted through the First Nation’s Band Council • Applications for grants for Local Services Boards providing library services must be submitted through the Local Services Board Priorities for grants to libraries The Ontario Trillium Foundation has identified priorities for grants for libraries and welcomes applications for the following: Capital grants for: • Library access: capital renovations and equipment to increase the use of the library for people of all abilities • Library furniture and fixtures: small equipment purchases such as furniture, shelving, etc. • Collections: purchases to increase the general permanent collections or collections in any medium for specialized populations • Library technology: hardware, software and automation Project grants for: • Community programming to enhance literacy and learning • Training library patrons, staff and volunteers to develop skills to better use technology and literacy and general skills development Grants are not provided for ongoing library operating expenses.