In the fall of 2009, the Ontario Trillium Foundation reconnected with more than 100 of its grantee organizations to find out how they were faring as the economic downtown continued. 

We found notable changes – negative and positive –
in the status of several organizations compared to the
initial conversations in January and February of 2009.

Details from our CEO L. Robin Cardozo 
What other surveys have shown

Vignettes 

	Migrant Worker Community Program Runs a Tight Shop and Values Partnerships  NEW!			Sport Matters Group Sees Opportunities in the Current Funding Climate  NEW!
	Feeling the Economic Pain at Visual Arts Ontario  NEW!			Boys and Girls Clubs Place Emphasis on Core Activities and Collaboration UPDATED!
	Proactive Approach Key to Winning in Tough Times UPDATED!			Anticipating Challenges Helps Food Agency Protect Core Operations UPDATED!

Other vignettes:
Environmental solutions a smart way to cut costs
Pocket-friendly sports alternatives good bet in the coming months
Slumping economy prompts tough decisions for cultural venue

How has OTF responded?

Overwhelmingly, grantees were positive about how OTF has responded throughout 2009. Many respondents felt that OTF has been a proactive public voice regarding the value of the not-for-profit sector, and could, in fact, enhance this role.  Some respondents admitted that they felt overwhelmed by the number of requests from OTF and other funders to attend meetings and provide information, while others seemed to welcome these opportunities. Respondents also again asked for more collaboration and better communication between funders in Ontario. Over the past 12 months OTF has: Valued the importance of “taking the pulse” over the long term and has followed up with a second survey of OTF grantees; Initiated Community Roundtables – in-person and online consultations and partnerships with networks and collaborations – to support information-sharing within and between communities and sectors; Provided resources and links to community partners’ resources as tools for organizations to gain knowledge, expertise and experience of others through an online community.  Convened events in a number of communities across Ontario with leading fundraiser Kim Klein to share resources around revenue generation; Brought community funders together to build community investment strategies that better meet the funding needs of local organizations and agencies; Launched a new online organization registration and application service and continues to look at new ways to enhance and streamline the OTF grant application process.