Communities In Action Guidelines
Across our city, nonprofits are working with low-income communities and individuals in the private and public sector in creative new ways to tackle intractable issues of poverty and marginalization in order to create a decent living for all.
This initiative aims to encourage and advance their efforts. We do this by supporting strategies that foster informed discussion and collaborative action among a broad range of stakeholders, strengthen the voice of low-income people, and enables nonprofits to enhance their capacity to address root causes of poverty.
Our geographic focus is the City of Toronto. This is not a direct services funding program as this concept is traditionally understood. Service delivery, while an extremely important strategy, cannot in isolation address the current conditions in which low-income people live. Rather, the program is designed to support both proven and innovative approaches to poverty reduction through three interrelated themes:
Making Connections – We are interested in creative community problem solving efforts that bridge and build upon differences, and leverage and connect good ideas. Strategies funded may include those that contribute to comprehensive approaches to persistent social issues that link sectors – public, private and non-profit – necessary to achieve large scale impact, promote the case for public policies aimed at permanent solutions to poverty, help to reframe the issues and solutions, and foster network-based approaches for making change.
Nurturing Leadership – We wish to enhance the efforts of low-income communities to address underlying conditions of poverty and to connect their efforts to others. Strategies funded may include those that increase community members’ knowledge and analysis of issues, strengthen their leadership by working with the wisdom and wealth already present in people, and link their actions to broader networks, public institutions and processes to improve local conditions and systemic problems.
Strengthening Organizations – In our view, organizational capacity is linked to effective community building. We want to encourage efforts to integrate social change principles and approaches more widely into organizations. Strategies funded may include those that enhance the ability of boards to engage on public policy issues, expand staff leadership, enable the incorporation of service provision and community mobilization efforts, and foster capacity and connections across organizations.
We will consider requests for both short-term and multi-year funding to this initiative.
Who is Eligible to Apply?
As a charitable foundation registered with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), the Metcalf Foundation can only offer support to organizations with charitable status. If you have an idea that advances the goals and objectives of our program but your group does not qualify, please contact us. We may be able to offer support or assistance in other ways.
In addition to being a registered charity, eligible applicants must be:
- located and operate in the City of Toronto, and
- have a mission that focuses on addressing issues of poverty in Toronto.
What is the Application Process?
The Foundation will review applications for the Communities in Action program twice annually, once in the spring and once in the winter. Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact the Community Program Director in advance to discuss their proposals. Applying to this program is a two-step process.
Step One – Letters of Interest
Interested organizations must first send a letter of interest to the Foundation. This letter should briefly outline the purpose of the project and the issues the proposed project will address, project timeframe, approximate budget, and the amount being requested from the Foundation. This letter should not exceed three pages. The Metcalf Application Cover Page (PDF) (Word version) must be attached to the front of this letter. Foundation staff will review letters of interest, identifying compelling and appropriate proposals for further consideration.
Please provide two paper copies of the proposal (printed double-sided) and submit an electronic version to hdunford@metcalffoundation.com.
Please note that we are unable to consider late or incomplete applications for funding; both hard and electronic copies must be received at the Foundation by 5:00 pm on the deadline date.
Step Two – Full Application
Based on the letters of interest, we will invite organizations to submit full applications. THIS IS NOT A GUARANTEE OF FUNDING. Those organizations invited to submit full proposals should develop a typed application not to exceed 8 pages containing:
- A short summary of the organization’s history, mandate and current strategies that address issues of poverty.
- A description of the change you want to see happen. (Vision and goals)
- A context analysis of what needs to be different to make the change happen and why. This should include but is not limited to: a clear articulation of the issue you are addressing; reference, where relevant, to the policy context; initiatives currently underway with the communities you are proposing to engage; and how other stakeholders are approaching this issue. (Rationale)
- How your project contributes to making the change happen. This should include a clear, well-formed description of your proposed strategy(s), and how it links to poverty reduction more broadly in Toronto. (Objectives and strategy)
- The results you hope to achieve and how you will know you are making progress. (Outcomes and evaluation)
- A description of the other groups or constituents that need to be involved to realize the project results. This should include but is not limited to: an outline of your current working relationship with these groups or constituents; evidence of support for the project from them, if appropriate; and how they will be engaged in the project.
- How this project builds on existing work in the organization.
- A description of the potential challenges and opportunities to successfully implement your project, and how you plan to address any unforeseen factors that may arise.
- A description of what you are most interested in learning from undertaking this work.
- A project workplan that includes anticipated milestones.
- Brief bios of key project staff.
In support of the 8-page application, all full proposal applicants must also submit:
- a Metcalf Application Cover Page (PDF) (Word version),
- a completed budget template (Excel) provided by the Foundation,
- a list of current Board members,
- a copy of the organization’s most recent annual report, and
- a copy of the organization’s most recent audited financial statement.
A separate letter of introduction may be included. Additional printed material,
e.g. newsletters can also be attached as background information if you wish. Please note that we are unable to consider incomplete applications for funding.
Please provide ten paper copies of all proposal materials (printed double-sided) and submit an electronic version to hdunford@metcalffoundation.com.
Please note that we are unable to consider late or incomplete applications for funding; both hard and electronic copies must be received at the Foundation by 5:00 pm on the deadline date.
We will not fund:
- direct services that focus on poverty amelioration,
- ongoing operating expenses that are unrelated to the proposed project,
- capital projects,
- endowments, and
- deficits.
How will Applications be Assessed?
Applications will be reviewed by the Foundation’s Board and staff, assisted by an advisory committee from the community. We will assess applications on the basis of:
- the track record and history of the participants involved;
- whether people affected by the organization’s work are already included in its governance and other decision-making structures;
- whether the proposed project will help meet the Foundation’s Program goals and objectives;
- the organization’s readiness to undertake this type of work;
- the strength and clarity of the proposed strategies;
- the potential project results and its likelihood of success; and
- the potential to learn about new approaches and practice.
How will we Learn from our Work?
Successful applicants set indicators of success in partnership with the Foundation at the start of the grant. They meet annually with us, so the partners can jointly discuss how we will learn from our work and monitor progress and results. We will also seek opportunities for grantees to share their work and learnings more broadly.
We reserve the right to review our ongoing commitments if circumstances arise in which the project is unlikely to be realized. These circumstances could include failure to undertake activities or to meet goals as described in the proposal or severe financial difficulties. You can read more about the Foundation’s approach to evaluation in How
We Learn.
Deadlines
Please see Deadlines.
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