Item - 2019.EC8.4

The Economic and Community Development Committee recommends that:

1.  City Council add the following Commitment to the Whole-of-Government Framework to Guide City of Toronto Relationships with the Community-Based Not-for-Profit Sector, and direct the Executive Director, Social Development, Finance and Administration to work with relevant Indigenous-led organizations, the Manager of the Indigenous Affairs Office and with other appropriate City Divisions to coordinate the implementation of this Commitment:

"COMMITMENT TO RECONCILIATION WITH INDIGENOUS PEOPLES: The City will further its commitment to reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples through enhanced engagement with Indigenous-led not-for-profit organizations based in Toronto and by providing funding and other supports to advance their priorities."

2.  City Council add the following Commitment to the Whole-of-Government Framework to Guide City of Toronto Relationships with the Community-Based Not-for-Profit Sector and direct the Executive Director, Social Development, Finance and Administration to work with the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, the Executive Director, Corporate Finance, the Director, Real Estate Services, the Chief Executive Officer, CreateTO and with other appropriate City Divisions, and to consult with relevant community-based not-for-profit organizations and funding partners, to coordinate the implementation of this Commitment:  

"COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY SPACE: The City commits to developing policies and partnerships that improve the community-based not-for-profit sector's access to decent, affordable facilities and spaces to provide community services and programming. This includes helping to build capacity in the Sector to acquire and leverage real estate assets for community use. The City recognizes the public benefits that are generated through community-operated and community-owned space in Toronto."

3.  City Council direct the Executive Director, Social Development, Finance and Administration to work with the Director, Accounting Services to implement changes in the City's accounting systems (SAP) to facilitate reporting on the City's investments in the not-for-profit sector, starting in 2020.

4.  City Council direct the Executive Director, Social Development, Finance and Administration to submit a proposal in the 2021 budget process for resources required to steward the relationship with the community-based not-for-profit sector.

Toronto's not-for-profit sector ("the Sector") has a profound positive impact on local communities. The City relies on and supports not-for-profit organizations to help make Toronto a vibrant, caring, and inclusive home for residents, as well as a culturally rich and welcoming place to visit. In 2017 Toronto became the first Canadian city to adopt a government-wide framework to guide and enhance its relationships with the Sector. The framework contains guiding principles, six strategic commitments and an action plan. It was co-created with a Community Advisory Table, on the basis of stakeholder consultations and an interjurisdictional review.

This first progress report on implementation of the framework was prepared with a Joint Steering Committee composed of City staff and not-for-profit organizations. All of the actions under the framework that were planned for 2018-2019 are either completed or have been launched as ongoing activities. An updated action plan is provided as Attachment 1. Activities and early impacts include the following:

-    A cross-corporate online grants system was launched to enhance transparency and reduce administrative burden for the City and not-for-profit applicants/grantees;
-  New accounting codes were established to facilitate monitoring and reporting on transactions with not-for-profits;
-    More City facilities were added to the Community Space Tenancy (below market rent) portfolio;
-    Governance training was provided to over 100 not-for-profit organizations;
-    A Community Space Registry was launched to guide space planning and help the Sector identify and leverage its real estate assets; and
-    Toronto's first "Not-for-Profit Recognition Day" was proclaimed on October 2, 2019.

This report recommends that Council adopt further commitments to:

-    Strengthen the City's relationships with Indigenous-led not-for-profits; and
-    Increase the Sector's access to space to deliver community programming.

This report also recommends that Council request a business case in the 2021 budget cycle for resources to steward the City/Sector relationship most effectively.