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The Minister has brought fabulous news from the Ontario Budget. I’m delighted that communities across Ontario will benefit from the 20 per cent increase in annual funding to the Ontario Trillium Foundation.
I had the pleasure of being in Ontario’s legislative gallery when the Budget was read on March 22nd. I wanted to jump out of my seat and hug every member of the government when I heard the wonderful news about the 20 per cent boost to the Foundation’s annual funding. But I managed to restrain myself. Barely.
This is especially welcome news now, as our Foundation celebrates 25 years of successful grantmaking in this province. I’d like to extend a heart-felt thank you to our Minister, Caroline Di Cocco for being an advocate for our work and that of the thousands of not-for-profit and charitable organizations we support. Our thanks as well to MPP John Milloy, whose riding we’re in today, for his support and the support of the entire government caucus in giving us this huge vote of confidence.
The increase will be phased in over three years. We’ll see an immediate increase to $105 million this year, which will rise to $120 million annually in 2009-2010. The new funding will enable us to have more impact than ever in building healthy and vibrant communities. It will allow us to support the government’s priorities and increase the capacity of the voluntary sector.
It will also enable us to look at more strategic investments that will help grow and strengthen communities throughout Ontario. It means more opportunities for grantmaking, more investments in helping organizations secure deeper roots in their communities, grow their volunteer base and meet local priorities.
The Minister knows the positive impact our grants have in communities and the opportunities our investments create for people. She also knows that our reach is broad and our impact is deep. Foundation grants support the arts and culture, environment, human and social services and sports and recreation sectors.
Our grantmaking relies on the good work of more than 300 caring, capable volunteers and staff who review applications and make recommendations for funding. The Foundation’s work is guided by our board of directors and who ratify about 1,500 grants each year.
Two of our board members are here today Harmail Basi from Cambridge and Janet Passmore from Bright. I’d also like to recognize Donald Bourgeois who chairs the Grant Review Team for Waterloo, Wellington and Dufferin and all of the volunteer members of the Waterloo, Wellington and Dufferin Grant Review Team. They are all committed volunteers who are active and effective in their communities. And they bring their knowledge of community and their expertise in different sectors to the important work of the Foundation.
Our grants make a difference. They support the remarkable work of not-for-profit and charitable organizations around the province and here, in the Waterloo Region.
For example, our grant to the Kitchener Waterloo Art Gallery supported the creation of art education programs. Another to the J. Steckle Heritage Homestead created 5.4 acres of green space. Our grant to Let’s Talk Science with the Butterfly Learning Day Care Centre supported a science-based learning program for pre-school children.
And our grant to the Waterloo Tennis Club helped upgrade the outdoor court and purchase equipment.
I’d like to thank the grantees in the room today for your hard work and good work. All of you demonstrate to your communities and to the government just how important and necessary and enabling the Foundation’s grants are. It is largely your success that helped make the case for boosting support in annual funding for the Ontario Trillium Foundation. Let’s share and celebrate your success, and ours, today.
Thank you.
This increase to our budget demonstrates the government’s recognition that as Ontario grows, so does the demand for Ontario Trillium Foundation grants. For every dollar that we have available to invest we receive requests for more than three dollars. Every year we receive more than 3,000 applications and are able to provide about 1,500 grants. With the new money we will be able to do more.
I am privileged to be the Chair of a Foundation that makes such a remarkable difference in the quality of life in communities across Ontario. I am also proud that the Ontario government recognizes our effectiveness as a responsible steward of public funds. That’s why I could have danced when I heard the exciting news of the increase in annual funding to the Foundation.
Pendant 25 ans, les subventions octroyées par la Fondation ont soutenu le fantastique travail des organismes bénévoles. Maintenant nous pouvons faire d’avantage.
For 25 years the Foundation’s grants have supported the remarkable work of volunteer organizations. Now we can do even more.
Thank you.
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