The Grants Ad Hoc Committee met on April 7, 2005, at 8:45 a.m. in the 5th Floor Boardroom, 10 Peel Centre Dr..

Councillor E. Moore presided.

1. DECLARATIONS OF CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

Councillor Stewart arrived at 8:55 a.m.

2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

RECOMMENDATION GRC-1-2005:

That the agenda for the April 7, 2005, Grants Ad Hoc Committee meeting be amended to include an additional item under Other Business regarding an update on the Strengthening Organization Effectiveness Fund (SOEF);

And further, that the agenda for the April 7, 2005, Grants Ad Hoc Committee meeting be approved, as amended.

3. DELEGATIONS/PRESENTATIONS

4. REPORTS

a) Community Programs Funding - Multi-Year Funding Agreements with Established Agencies

RECOMMENDATION GRC-2-2005:

That an increase to the multi-year funding agreement with Heart Touching Heart Ministries for The Dam Youth Drop In Centre be approved in the amount of $14,224 for 2005 and 2006;

And further, that an increase to the multi-year funding agreement with Family Services of Peel be approved up to a maximum of $30,000 for 2005 and $31,650 for 2006;

And further, that Peel Federation of Agriculture be approved for funding of $975 in 2005 and $1,005 in 2006;

And further, that Peel Soil and Crop Association be approved for funding of $400 in 2005 and 2006;

And further, that the funding for the above be financed from Social Services' operating budget (CF00012-56743);

And further, that staff report back on a new policy for agricultural grants;

And further, that a one-time, emergency grant up to a maximum of $25,000 for Peel Senior Link be approved, to be financed from the Community Grants Reserve R1260.

A brief discussion was held on the history of the agricultural grants and the significant changes these organizations have experienced in recent years. As there has been no framework to base decisions for new applicants or requests for increases, staff will develop a draft policy with input from the Peel Agricultural Advisory Working Group (PAAWG) members and will report back to Grants Ad Hoc Committee for approval later this year.

b) Community Programs Funding - One Year Program Funding for 2005

RECOMMENDATION GRC-3-2005:

That the Grants Ad hoc Committee approve a one year program funding application process under the Community Programs Funding Guidelines for 2005 and 2006, subject to available funding, to be financed under the approved Community Programs Funding budget, Social Services' account (CF00012 56743);

And further, that the two vulnerable groups in the community, disadvantaged youth and persons with mental health difficulties or illness, continue to be the funding priority for the one year program funding in 2005 and 2006.

Councillor E. Moore suggested that staff circulate the list of funded agencies in 2004 under this one year program funding. In addition, Councillor Moore suggested that the budget for the community programs funding be increased each year to support the growing needs of Peel and to provide more support under this program.

5. COMMUNICATIONS

a) News Release: From the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO), dated March 24, 2005, Advising that the Ontario Victim Services Secretariat (OVSS) is Inviting Applications from Community Agencies for 2005/2006 Community Projects Grant Program

Received

Staff circulated the news release broadly to non profit agencies in Peel.

6. NEXT MEETING

RECOMMENDATION GRC-4-2005:

That the next meeting of the Grants Ad hoc Committee be scheduled at the call of the Chair.

7. OTHER BUSINESS

Additional Item

a) LeeAnn Lloyd, Manager, Community Services and Special Projects, Social Services Department, Region of Peel, Regarding an Update on the Strengthening Organization Effectiveness Fund (SOEF)

Received

LeeAnn Lloyd provided an update on the Strengthening Organization Effectiveness Fund (SOEF) which was approved last year by Regional Council on April 22, 2004. The need to support the non-profit agencies with their core infrastructure has become increasingly evident amongst funders. Organizations have requested additional financial assistance from the Region of Peel and their respective funders to respond to organizational and management issues and, in some cases, financial issues over the past several years.

LeeAnn Lloyd noted that Social Services staff has participated on a committee of the major funders in Peel for the past two years. The committee has focused specifically on building the organizational capacity of non profit agencies. Funding partners include: the Ontario Trillium Foundation; Ministry of Citizenship and Culture; Tourism and Recreation, Maytree Foundation, and United Way of Peel Region. Last year, the committee developed a strategy that includes a comprehensive organizational assessment tool based on best practices in non-profit management. Financial support is available through the Strengthening Organizational Effectiveness Fund (SOEF) to improve or enhance management areas including, agency policy updates, human resource and financial management, board governance, risk management, and community responsiveness.

The Region of Peel contributes $75,000 to the SOEF fund which is matched by United Way of Peel. To date three grants have been made under this fund to the following agencies:

• Rapport Youth and Family Counselling received funding of $20,000 for a fundraising development plan;
• Telecare Distress Centre Peel received funding $19,000 for a comprehensive operational policy review; and
• Catholic Family Services of Peel Dufferin received funding of $19,000 to become more cultural competent in all aspects of staffing and service delivery.
  

These funds and the other supports were launched on June 2004 to approximately one hundred organizations. Councillor N. Stewart stated that she attended this launch and re-affirmed that it was a successful event.

LeeAnn Lloyd further added that agencies have participated in outcome evaluations training over the past year funded by Trillium Foundation as another way of improving management practices. The funders are also in the process of developing a learning institute which will provide leadership and management training to senior managers and directors of community agencies.

8. ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 9:25 a.m.