April 3 , 2007

MCGUINTY GOVERNMENT STRENGTHENING ONTARIO’S VOLUNTEER SECTOR
Increased Funding Allows Ontario Trillium Foundation To Support More Community Projects

KITCHENER-WATERLOO — The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) will receive an additional $20 million each year to support communities across Ontario, Minister of Culture Caroline Di Cocco announced today. This represents a 20 per cent increase over the current annual budget.

“By investing in the Ontario Trillium Foundation, the Ontario government is helping to create vital communities,” said Di Cocco. “This funding will enable the foundation to have more impact than ever before as it builds on its 25-year history of success in supporting Ontario’s not-for-profit and charitable organizations.”

The 20 per cent increase announced in the Ontario budget, will be phased in over three years, starting with a boost to $105 million in 2007-2008 from the current budget of $100 million. This will increase to $120 million by 2009-2010.

“Ontario Trillium Foundation grants are making a remarkable difference in Ontario communities,” said Kitchener-Centre MPP John Milloy. “The Ontario government is taking a leadership role in building strong and prosperous communities that reflect and celebrate Ontario’s cultural diversity.”

The OTF is an agency of the Ministry of Culture and receives funding annually from Ontario’s charity casinos. OTF builds healthy and vibrant communities throughout Ontario by strengthening the capacity of the volunteer sector through investments in community-based initiatives. Grant Review Teams advise on applications from local not-for-profit and registered charities within their communities for allocation of Trillium funds.

“For more than 25 years, Ontario Trillium Foundation grants have supported the remarkable work of not-for-profit and charitable organizations that build healthy communities,” said Helen Burstyn, Chair of the OTF Board of Directors. “With this increase from the Ontario budget, we can do even more.”

The Ontario Trillium Foundation is an agency of the Ministry of Culture. As one of Canada’s leading grant making foundations, it provides approximately 1,500 grants per year to not-for-profit and charitable organizations. These grants fund, operating and specific project costs in support of four sectors:

• Arts and culture
• Environment, human
• Social services
• Sports and recreation.

“These grants support the vital work of organizations as they respond to local priorities in their communities,” said Di Cocco. “I commend the volunteers at the foundation for the important work they have done over the past 25 years in building Ontario’s communities.

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Contacts:
Mark Thompson, Minister’s Office, (416) 325-4071
Guy Lepage, Communications Branch, (416) 314-3497