Enhanced success for students and learners
A healthy and vibrant community depends on the skills and knowledge of its members. Whether knowledge and skills are developed in the early years when children start school or much later in life, it is key that people of all ages and abilities are ready to learn. This is why the Ontario Trillium Foundation will place priority on initiatives that:
- Provide community-based learning opportunities and create conditions for achievement for people of all ages and abilities
- Help prepare children and youth for success
This includes, but is not limited to, broadening learning experiences for children and youth; helping children and youth remain and achieve in school; preparing young children to learn; providing opportunities for children and youth to experience positive personal growth; and improving adult literacy through resources and activities.
Healthier and more physically active Ontarians
Encouraging Ontarians to lead healthier lifestyles, as well as improving other determinants of health, such as air and water quality, and providing opportunities for people to enhance their health and well-being will lead to healthier and more physically active Ontarians. To this end, the Ontario Trillium Foundation will place priority on initiatives that:
- Promote physical activity for people of all ages and abilities
- Promote recreational activities for people of all ages and abilities
- Enhance and help protect human and ecosystem health
- Create conditions for people to reach their full health and well-being potential
- Promote cultural and artistic activities for people of all ages and abilities
This includes, but is not limited to, promoting and increasing physical activity; increasing or sustaining recreational and leisure opportunities; helping communities take responsibility to protect the natural environment; supporting systems that sustain health and well-being; sustaining a healthy arts community; and celebrating and preserving heritage.
Enhanced employment and economic potential for workers and their families
The Ontario Trillium Foundation supports initiatives that are innovative and that stimulate economic growth. To this end, OTF will place priority on proposals that support organizations to build skills, create jobs and enhance economic potential for individuals and communities through initiatives that:
- Provide skill development or employment opportunities
- Sustain and promote a greener economy and community
- Strengthen the economic health of a community
- Help further a community’s long-term vision and growth
This includes, but is not limited to, increasing opportunities for employment for those experiencing barriers including Aboriginal people, newcomers, people with disabilities and at-risk youth; strengthening organizations and supporting initiatives that promote a sustainable environment; sustaining the economic viability of the community; and encouraging community-planning processes.
More effective volunteers and more people engaged in their communities
Volunteers are the foundation of healthy and caring communities that are safe, clean, secure and vibrant. Providing people with opportunities to actively participate in activities or programs offered within their community also contributes to this. We support initiatives that:
- Create conditions to increase community engagement of people of all ages, abilities and cultures
- Strengthen volunteerism among people of all ages, abilities and cultures
- Strengthen the voluntary sector
This includes, but is not limited to, building community connections and awareness; promoting and increasing volunteerism, particularly among young people; enhancing the capacity of the volunteer sector and fostering strategic thinking and innovation; and building the capacity of charitable and not-for-profit organizations.