Toronto’s Vital Signs Grants aim to surface and support high-impact organizations and their visionary work in tackling the city’s inequities. These organizations are equipped to identify and advance solutions for their communities as they address current challenges and advocate for equity.
THE GRANT AND ELIBIGILITY:
New this year, in an effort to make funding more accessible to organizations that experience great barriers to opportunities, the Toronto Foundation has expanded the scope of eligibility for the 2023 Toronto’s Vital Signs Grants (TVS Grants) to include both charities and nonprofits. Historically, nonprofits (previously referred to as non-qualified donees) have received a significantly smaller proportion of all charitable donations. But after extensive lobbying by the sector, recent changes in legislation have enabled funders like Toronto Foundation to support nonprofits directly. Incorporated nonprofits do not need to apply with a charitable trustee.
The 2023 Toronto’s Vital Signs Grants will focus on small nonprofits and charities with operating budgets up to $500,000, working to build their internal capacity their internal capacity. The program includes a one-time, project-based grant, with additional opportunities for promotion through Toronto Foundation’s extensive network of donors.
A total of $300,000 is available to fund up to 20 organizations.
Eligible organizations may apply for a $15,000 grant.
Eligibility Includes:
- An incorporated nonprofit (incorporated federally or with the province of Ontario), that has a business registration number registered prior to September 2022. Incorporated nonprofits do not need to apply with a charitable trustee.
or;
- A registered charity or nonprofit applying with a charitable trustee partner in place
Priority will be given to organizations that are equity-led and equity-serving as well as Indigenous-led organizations.
The focus is on organizations undertaking projects with the goal of building their internal capacity.
Applicants must also:
- Be in good standing with the provincial or federal registry
- Be in good standing with CRA
- Have a basic governance structure (at least three people on the board, management committee, or other type of governing body) with internal accountability measures in place (such as practices and procedures for internal controls and accountability)
- Have a bank account in the name of the organization and systems and processes to track the organization’s income and expense transactions effectively
- Have an annual operating budget up to $500,000
