The Earth Day Canada Community Environment Fund was created by Earth Day Canada and Sobeys Ontario to provide financial support to local environmental initiatives and projects in Ontario. As a result, not-for-profit organizations and schools have a greater opportunity to create and inspire sustainable environmental action in their communities.

Why is the grant only available in Ontario?

Sobeys initially developed a very successful program in Québec with Earth Day Canada’s Quebec partner Jour de la Terre Québec. Sobeys Ontario decided they would like to pursue a similar program in Ontario which resulted in the Earth Day Canada Community Environment Fund.

It is our hope that the model we established in Québec and Ontario will be one that Sobeys and Earth Day Canada can extend to the rest of Canada in the near future.

How is the program funded?

Sobeys Ontario provides funding for the program.

Who is Earth Day Canada?

Earth Day Canada (EDC), a national environmental charity founded in 1990, provides Canadians with the practical knowledge and tools they need to lessen their impact on the environment. In 2004 it was recognized as the top environmental education organization in North America, for its innovative year-round programs and educational resources, by the Washington-based North American Association for Environmental Education, the world's largest association of environmental educators. In 2008 it was chosen as Canada’s “Outstanding Non-profit Organization” by the Canadian Network for Environmental Education and Communication. EDC regularly partners with thousands of organizations in all parts of Canada. www.earthday.ca

Who is Sobeys Ontario?

Sobeys Inc. is a leading national grocery retailer and food distributor headquartered in Stellarton, Nova Scotia. A wholly-owned subsidiary of Empire Company Limited, Sobeys owns or franchises more than 1 300 stores in all 10 provinces under retail banners that include Sobeys, IGA, Foodland, Price Chopper, Thrifty Foods, and Lawtons Drug Stores. Sobeys Inc. is committed to providing the most worthwhile experience for its customers, employees, franchisees, suppliers and shareholders. More information on Sobeys Inc. can be found at www.sobeys.com.

How much funding is available?

Grants of up to $20 000 are available. Award amounts are determined based on the number of applications and project requirements.

Eligibility and Application Criteria

Who can apply to the EDC Community Environment Fund?

The program is open to Canadian community-based not-for-profit organizations and schools to support environmental projects in Ontario. In addition, eligible projects must

Be a registered not-for-profit or charitable organization, volunteer group or school
Be open to the public
Have a strong volunteer-involvement component
Engage the local community
Be located on publicly accessible property
Have a plan to be sustainable beyond the life of the grant
Demonstrate quantifiable benefits and achievements to the environment
Have signed approval of the school’s principal if it is a school application
Be completed within one year of receipt of the grant.

What are some examples of applications that would NOT be eligible to receive grants from the Program?

Requests from for-profit organizations or individuals
Requests from for-profit educational institutions
Fundraising initiatives
Scholarship, grants or bursaries
Projects outside of Canada
Projects completed before the application review
Technical or scientific studies and reports
Lobbying or political organizations
Government agencies or crown corporations
Any organization whose activities or core values are inconsistent with the core values of Sobeys and Earth Day Canada.

Are Colleges and Universities eligible for funding?

The Fund considers Ontario colleges and universities to be for-profit educational institutions that are ineligible to apply for funding from CEF. Non-profit groups within the schools are eligible to apply, for example the student union. To apply, groups are required to submit a written letter of consent from a Senior Administrator on school letterhead. E.g. the President, Dean of Students, Vice President of Student Services.

Are unregistered not-for-profits and charities eligible for funding?

No, not-for-profit organizations and charities must be registered to apply. Unregistered groups will need a registered not-for-profit or charity to apply on their behalf. For more information please contact the Community Environment Fund Program Manager at envirofund@earthday.ca.

Can an organization apply for two separate projects during the same grant period?

Yes, but only one project will be funded. Organizations are encouraged to apply for the project they consider to be top priority.

What are the application criteria?

Grants will be awarded to projects that demonstrate the greatest need, the most innovation and the greatest likelihood of sustainable impact. For further details please refer to the program’s Application Guidelines.

Applying to the EDC Community Environment Fund

Is there a time period in which my project must be completed?

To be eligible for a grant, the proposed project must be completed within one year of receipt of the grant. Before completing the application please refer to the Project Timelines section of the Application Guidelines.

When can I apply/when will grants be awarded?

The EDC Community Environment Fund offers two grant periods per year.

Spring Grant Period:

The spring grant period deadline is February 28. Successful applicants are notified on April 22.

Fall Grant Period:

The fall grant period deadline is August 31. Successful applicants are notified on October 14.

How will submissions be evaluated?

A committee consisting of representatives from Earth Day Canada and Sobeys Ontario will evaluate submissions.

Can I apply for funding for a project my organization recently completed?

No. Funding is only available for new or existing projects.

Are school applications completed by the school principal required to submit a letter of approval?

No, applications that are completed and signed by the school principal do not require any additional consent.

Who needs to sign the Declaration Form?

The Declaration Form must be signed by a legal signing authority within the organization.

Are incomplete applications reviewed and assessed?

No, to be eligible applications must be submitted in full. This includes all required attachments listed in Part E of the application form. Applicants that have submitted incomplete applications will be notified and asked to reapply during the next grant period.

Who needs to submit year-end financial statements?

Not-for-profit organizations and registered charities are required to submit year-end financial statements.

What is meant by year-end financial statements?

The Fund requires audited financial statements prepared and submitted to the Canada Revenue Agency. Organizations should also submit a letter from their auditor.

Are there costs that are not eligible for funding?

Yes, there are costs that are not eligible for funding. For details please refer to the Application Guidelines.

Once funded, will CEF pay for aspects of the project retroactively?

No, the CEF will only pay for items once the Contribution Agreement has been finalized.

I need technical help with the application form. What should I do?

If you are having difficulty downloading the application, are unable to fill out the application form or have any other difficulty, please contact envirofund@earthday.ca

How do I submit the completed application?

You can mail or courier the completed application package (faxed and emailed applications will not be accepted). Applicants are asked to submit the completed application forms with the signed declaration and all the required documents listed in Part E of the application form. Before completing the application please ensure you have carefully read through the application instructions.

I submitted an application to the Community Environment Fund. Will I be contacted with a confirmation of receipt?

Yes, you will receive an email confirmation of receipt within two weeks of the application deadline.

Successful Applicants of the EDC Community Environment Fund

Is my organization required to sign a Contribution Agreement?

All successful applicants will be required to sign a Contribution Agreement. The Contribution Agreement will outline what is required of the applicant over the life of the grant.

Why do I need to submit final reporting documents?

The submission of the final report, final budget and indicators of success serve as a monitoring tool for CEF staff to ensure the funding has been used for the purposes for which the grant was approved. The feedback provided in the report also contributes to the ongoing growth of the program and helps us measure our level of success in contributing to Ontario communities.

Am I required to attach any additional materials to my final reporting documents?

Yes, the report must also include before-and-after photos of the projects, photos of the project during development, and any media coverage and promotional materials.

Is my organization required to recognize the Community Environment Fund?

Yes. Grant recipients are required to recognize the Fund via logo placement on all communications materials (including web site, annual reports, brochures, flyers, posters etc.) and via written acknowledgment in all media relations (e.g. news releases, advisories, articles). Requirements are further outlined in the Contribution Agreement.

What if the circumstances surrounding my grant have changed?

We understand that throughout the year circumstances can change. If this is the case please contact the Community Environment Fund Program Manager at envirofund@earthday.ca.

My organization is a successful recipient of the Community Environment Fund, when is my organization eligible to apply again?

Successful recipients of the Fund are eligible to apply for a new project during the next funding cycle. Recipients that want to apply to expand or add a new aspect to the current project will need to wait until all final reporting documents for the first project have been submitted and reviewed by the Fund.