Item - 2019.EC6.19

The Economic and Community Development Committee recommends that:

1.  City Council approve the Toronto Grants Policy, including the City of Toronto Grant Principles, outlined in Appendix A to the report (June 5, 2019) from the Executive Director, Social Development, Finance and Administration.

Council directed staff to update the Toronto Grants Policy (2013) to reflect the City’s responsiveness to Indigenous Peoples and Equity, Diversity and Human Rights. http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgendaItemHistory.do?item=2017.CD18.5 . The Toronto Grants Co-ordinating Committee, comprised of staff representatives from all of City of Toronto grant programs, has updated the Policy. The Toronto Grants Co-ordinating Committee also added an appendix to the Policy to reflect how the grant principles of openness, transparency and accountability will be reflected in the application of the Policy to City grant making activities. The Policy was informed by consultation with Indigenous organizations and those serving equity seeking groups. The policy is also supported with an implementation plan that includes staff training.

Grants are vital to the City of Toronto's ability to achieve its health, social, economic, environmental and cultural goals for its residents. City grants support a vibrant "for public benefit sector" that is responsive to community needs and builds resident leadership and civic engagement. City grants enable organizations to further leverage other financial and in-kind resources to respond to the needs of Torontonians.