Newcomer Settlement Program

Transcription

1 Newcomer Settlement Program Program Guidelines Deadline: :00 p.m., Friday, May 4, 2007 The application package is also available electronically at Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration

2 Contents Introduction Application Eligibility Criteria..... Organizational Assessment Criteria. Application Assessment Criteria... Activities Funded and Funding Limits.. Eligible Expenditures... Ineligible Expenditures Eligible Client Groups.. Next Steps for Successful Applicants... Reporting Requirements Additional Information Important Information The program guidelines outline the funding criteria for the Newcomer Settlement Program (NSP) and provide other important program information to help you apply for funding. These guidelines are intended to be used with the NSP application form, which is available electronically on the Ministry s web site at Hard copies can also be requested by calling or Three hard copies of the completed application and relevant attachments should be submitted to: Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration Settlement and Diversity Unit 400 University Avenue, 3 rd Floor Toronto, ON M7A 2R9 Completed applications must be received by :00 p.m. on Friday, May 4, Applications received after this date will not be reviewed. If You Need Help To discuss your application, or for assistance in completing the application form, contact a Program Consultant by calling the numbers listed above. Newcomer Settlement Program Funding Guidelines

3 Introduction The Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration provides a range of settlement, language training and labour-market integration services to support the successful integration of newcomers to Ontario. Information on these programs can be found at The goal of the Newcomer Settlement Program (NSP) is to help newcomers fully engage in all aspects of Canadian life -- social, economic, political and cultural -- and to maximize the benefits of their participation and contribution to Canadian society. To achieve this goal, the NSP focuses on improving the quality and availability of, and access to, services that improve the social and economic situation of newcomers. Funding is provided to community-based organizations that: Deliver effective programs and services for newcomers; Promote strong links and coordination between settlement and other services needed by newcomers; Find new ways of meeting existing and emerging needs by filling service gaps; and Increase the effectiveness of the settlement service delivery system through the development of innovative solutions to sector issues and collaboration with other service providers. To increase the impact of programs for newcomers and to build on the successes achieved in previous years, the NSP features a broader scope of eligible activities, while continuing to support traditional programs as well as sector development. NSP funding is intended to benefit a wide range of newcomers, including permanent residents regardless of their Canadian citizenship status and refugee claimants. The NSP Guidelines provide applicants with information about the program, including the eligibility and assessment criteria used to evaluate applications and make funding decisions. Applicant Eligibility Criteria To receive NSP funding, applicants must: Be incorporated as a not-for-profit organization for at least two years Have at least two years experience of delivering programs and services to newcomers Be located in Ontario Newcomer Settlement Program Funding Guidelines

4 Be compliant with the Ontario Human Rights Code 1 Carry commercial general liability insurance of not less than $2,000,000 for property damage, bodily and personal injury. NSP does not accept applications from: Universities, colleges and boards of education Grant-making organizations Organizations applying for support for programs or services with political and/or religious purposes For-profit corporations Individuals Other levels of government Organizational Assessment Criteria Organizations seeking funding are assessed using the following criteria: Proven track record of providing effective services to newcomers Need for funding Organizational capacity and infrastructure needed to implement the proposed initiative Financial viability and appropriate fiscal management systems required to account for public funds Appropriate Board and management structure, including representation from the communities served Past performance (for organizations that have received NSP funding previously) Application Assessment Criteria Applications are assessed using the following criteria: Clear, measurable benefits to newcomers Sound program delivery plan Relationship between the requested amount of funding and the results of the proposed initiative Degree to which request addresses needs in under-served communities Existence of partnerships and coordination of services within the broader community to ensure links between settlement and other services needed by newcomers Established systems for evaluating and monitoring program/service delivery Evidence of support from key community stakeholders 1 Note: Ontario s Human Rights Code provides for equal treatment in the areas of services, goods, facilities, accommodation, contracts, and employment without discrimination on the grounds of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, family status, marital status, the receipt of public assistance (in accommodation only), and record of offences (in employment only). Failure to comply with the letter and spirit of the Code will render the applicant ineligible for a grant, and in the event a grant is made, liable to repay the grant in its entirety at the request of the Ministry. Newcomer Settlement Program Funding Guidelines

5 Activities Funded & Funding Limits There are two categories of grants available: 1. Settlement Program Grant to cover costs of program delivery. Examples of eligible activities include, but are not limited, to: Traditional settlement services, including client needs assessment, provision of information and referral to other community services, orientation and general settlement assistance Programs that improve access to employment and support economic integration, including assessment and referral and job search programs Initiatives that support newcomer settlement, such as community development projects, use of technology to enhance delivery of settlement services and newcomer/professional networks Funding available: Up to a maximum of $10,000 per application annually to cover program and administrative costs. Capital Expenditures: Organizations applying to the NSP may also include a request for funding to cover the cost of small capital expenditures, up to a maximum of $2,000 per application. This amount is in addition to the program grant request. 2. Sector Development Grant to strengthen the capacity of the settlement sector to deliver effective services and enhance the service delivery system. Examples of eligible activities include, but are not limited, to: Professional and skills development for the settlement sector Projects that develop innovative solutions to sector/regional issues Funding available: Up to a maximum of $2,000 per project. Notes: Funding requests may include a combination of activities. Organizations may apply for both a Settlement Program Grant and a Sector Development Grant at the same time. While organizations may apply for up to $2,000 for capital expenditures, it should be noted that, in general, the range of capital grants is $,000 to $10,000. Grants over the amounts listed above may be awarded in exceptional circumstances to initiatives that are comprehensive in approach, involve multiple partners and/or demonstrate extraordinary need for funding. Grants are awarded yearly and support agency activities during the fiscal year of the Ontario Government (April 1, 2007 to March 31, 2008). Newcomer Settlement Program Funding Guidelines

6 Eligible Expenditures NSP funding can be used to cover the following expenditures: Direct program/project costs, including program staff salaries and benefits, materials and resources, training and contract work Equipment purchases and/or renovations (to a limit of $2,000 and as part of Settlement Program Grant only) Core administrative expenses including administrative staff salaries and benefits, rent, utilities, insurance, fax/phone/internet, accounting fees (up to a maximum of 1% of total program/project costs) Ineligible Expenditures The NSP will not fund: English/French as a Second Language or occupational skills training Expenses not directly related to NSP-funded initiatives Budget deficits or debt reduction activities Organizational reserves Major capital costs Duplication of funding received from another funder Religious and/or political activities, as defined by (CRA) Activities that could be deemed discriminatory, as defined by the Ontario Human Rights Code Eligible Client Groups NSP funds can be used to support the settlement and integration of the following newcomer groups: Permanent residents, regardless of their Canadian citizenship status Refugees and refugee claimants Foreign domestic workers under the Live-In Caregiver Program Minister s Permit holders or persons who have received special permission to remain in Canada for the purpose of becoming a permanent resident Next Steps for Successful Applicants Letter of Approval and Grant Agreement Successful applicants will receive a Letter of Approval that outlines the amount of funding approved and the purpose of the grant. Following the Letter of Approval, organizations will receive an Agreement that sets out the terms and conditions of funding, and represents a legally binding contract Newcomer Settlement Program Funding Guidelines

7 between the Ministry and the organization. The Agreement must be signed by an authorized signing officer from each party. The grant s first payment will be released after the Agreement has been signed by both parties. Reporting Requirements All grant recipients must submit an Interim Report mid-way through the funding year. Additional reports may be required, if needed. Payments are contingent on satisfactory review of reports by Ministry staff. Failure to submit an Interim Report or to meet grant conditions will delay the release of payments. A Final Report must be submitted at the conclusion of the grant. The Reporting Schedule is outlined in the Agreement. Copies of reporting templates will be provided to grant recipients prior to reporting due dates. Unsatisfactory reporting may affect the continuation of the grant. Organizations receiving funding are required to report on the activities undertaken and the results achieved with NSP funding, actual and projected expenses, and the impact of the grant. For collaborative initiatives undertaken by two or more organizations, the organization designated as the applicant -- or Lead -- is responsible for all reporting. Additional Requirements Organizations that receive NSP funding are expected to include a link to on their web sites. Additional Information Discretionary Nature of the Program The Ministry cannot guarantee financial support to all applicants, nor can it provide total support for settlement program and service costs. Commitments made by the applicant prior to, or in anticipation of, official written notification that a grant has been approved are the applicant s responsibility. If an applicant is unsuccessful, the Ministry will not be responsible for costs already incurred by the organization. Disclosure of Information Information provided as part of the NSP application process is subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, Newcomer Settlement Program Funding Guidelines