Item - 2025.EC25.6

The Economic and Community Development Committee recommends that:

1. City Council adopt the refreshed Community Service Partnerships approach and updated funding model components in Appendix 1 to the report (November 18, 2025) from the Executive Director, Social Development, and direct the Executive Director, Social Development, to report back to City Council, on the progress and implementation, as part of the annual reporting on Community Funding grants.

2. City Council authorize the Executive Director, Social Development to allocate Community Service Partnerships funding until the end of the next grant cycle on December 31, 2030, and report annually to the Economic and Community Development Committee on the grants approved, with funding allocations subject to the annual budget process.

The City remains steadfast in its commitment to advancing reconciliation and equity through sustained funding for Indigenous, Black, and other equity-deserving communities across Toronto. Guided by strong partnerships, strategic investments, and community-informed frameworks that address systemic barriers and historical underinvestment, the Community Funding Unit administers responsive funding that enables community-led, culturally grounded organizations to deliver high-quality and accessible programs and services. This report outlines the City’s ongoing efforts to strengthen fairness, transparency, and responsiveness in its funding approach and provides updates on three major funding programs:

- Indigenous Funding Framework (IFF): Supports Indigenous organizations through a flexible, self-determined funding model.

- Black Mandated Funding Framework (BMFF): Provides targeted funding and capacity-building for Black-led organizations.

- Community Service Partnerships (CSP): Social Development’s largest funding stream, now updated to enhance equity-focused goals and accountability practices.

The Indigenous Funding Framework (IFF), approved by City Council in December 2024, sets out how the City supports Indigenous organizations. It uses a flexible funding model called “take what you need, leave what you don’t,” which allowed 24 Indigenous groups to share $1.95 million in funding. This Framework is rooted on principles of self-determination and mutual respect and includes an implementation plan that focuses on evaluation and strengthening of granting processes for Indigenous communities. In May 2025, the Toronto Aboriginal Support Service Council (TASSC) hosted a celebration feast to officially launch the Framework and a deepening of the City’s relationship with Indigenous communities.

The Black Mandated Funding Framework (BMFF), adopted in November 2023, continues to shape an ecosystem of support for Toronto’s diverse Black communities. In 2024-2025, $2.125 million in funding was distributed across 49 organizations which included Black Francophone, newcomers, 2SLGBTQ+ and youth serving groups. Social Development also expanded enhanced organizational mentorship and trusteeship supports, improved access to funding application and capacity building supports through an eligibility self-assessment tool, and deepened engagement with sector and community partners. 

The Community Service Partnerships (CSP) program, Social Development’s largest and longest standing funding stream, supported over 2.6 million Toronto residents in 2024. This report details the recent updates to this funding program. As part of phase 1, it introduces an updated model that incorporates new grant pillars, equity-focused measures and an enhanced monitoring and evaluation framework. These changes are designed to keep programs stable while laying the groundwork for a more equitable, transparent and impact-driven grant process that is responsive to community needs and rooted in strong sectoral partnerships.

The 2025 Operating Budget of $32.197 million gross and $31.314 million net for the Community Partnership Investment Program in Social Development ensures the timely delivery of social services by not-for-profit, grassroots and resident-led groups. This report includes an overview of all grants created and approved with delegated authority between October 2024 and September 2025. These grants supported a variety of projects that included resident led initiatives that supported local, place-based activities, youth violence prevention, programs created by youth for youth, and community healing efforts after violence incidents.