Item - 2020.EC17.4

The Economic and Community Development Committee recommends that:

1.  City Council authorize the Executive Director, Social Development, Finance and Administration, to allocate the previously-approved Community Service Partnerships funds until the approval of funding recommendations in 2021.

2.  City Council authorize the Executive Director, Social Development, Finance and Administration, to reallocate or approve and disburse one-time Community Investment grants with funding allocation to be subject to the annual Budget process.

3.  City Council request the Executive Director, Social Development, Finance and Administration, to report annually to the Economic and Community Development Committee on the grants approved through Recommendations 1 and 2 above.

In July 2019, Toronto City Council considered the Community Service Partnerships three year Renewal Process, and adopted the Community Services Partnership Framework to ensure that through the Renewal Process, Community Services Partnership funding accomplishes its ultimate outcome by funding public benefit organizations to deliver evidence-informed, programs and services for and with vulnerable people and communities. This report provides an update on the Renewal Process as well as highlights on the impact of investments in the Community Partnership and Investment Program. In this third year of the Community Service Partnerships Renewal, 177 agencies that are funded through the program were invited to complete their application for their existing allocation, while aligning to shared outcomes and a strengthened definition of vulnerability to ensure grant funds are meeting the needs of Torontonians who are most vulnerable. Staff are in the midst of the review process and will be bringing recommendations for funding to the Economic and Community Development Committee in the first quarter of 2021.

Organizations not recommended for continued funding in the Community Service Partnerships Program renewal process will be supported with transition funding and subsequently that Community Service Partnerships funding will be re-directed to support the emerging Indigenous and Black-Mandated Funding Frameworks described in this report. Additional funding to support the development of these specialized funding streams will come from a reallocation of some Community Investment, project-based funding to operating and program funding. The Indigenous and Black-Mandated funding streams are being developed through a co-design process with community leaders and residents and the support of the Indigenous Affairs Office and the Confronting Anti-Black Racism Unit respectively.

The report also updates on the Youth Violence Prevention Grant program, a $250,000 donation designated to Regent Park, and the funding allocations made through the TO Supports Investment Fund to support emergency needs during the COVID-19 pandemic.