Questions and Answers for Not-for-Profit Organization Applicants

What is the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund?

Through Canada's Economic Action Plan, the federal government has established a new $4-billion Infrastructure Stimulus Fund that provides funding to provincial, territorial, municipal and community construction-ready infrastructure projects. The Infrastructure Stimulus Fund complements existing federal infrastructure funding by focusing on short-term objectives for economic stimulus.

The Fund will provide support for the construction of infrastructure projects to be built over the next two years (2009-10 and 2010-11). To provide short-term stimulus to the economy, construction readiness will be a key project selection criteria; for example, the rehabilitation and retrofit of existing assets to improve safety or extend their useful life. For Not-for-Profit entities, eligible project categories include temporary housing shelters, community centres, community services infrastructure and cultural infrastructure.

The Province of Ontario will match the federal government's investments under the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund.

Who is eligible to apply for funding under the Not-for-Profit category?

Only entities in Ontario are eligible to apply. To be an eligible recipient under the Not-for-Profit category in Ontario, the applicant must be incorporated as a Not-for-Profit entity (possess an incorporation number). In addition, the entity must have been in continuous operations for the past three years and must prove to be in good financial health and provide services and facilities accessible to and for the benefit of the public.

How will funding be allocated?

Federal funding for Not-for-Profit sector assets will be one-third (33.3%) of total eligible project costs. Funding from the government of Ontario for non-profit sector assets will also be one-third (33.3%). Recipients will be responsible for the remainder of the eligible project costs.

On an exceptional basis, the federal share of funding may be up to 50 per cent (50%) of total eligible project costs. The federal share of the project, from all federal sources (for example, Gas Tax) cannot exceed 50 per cent (50%) of total eligible project costs.

Priority will be given to those projects that seek a federal contribution of 33.3 per cent or less and for projects that have obtained financial support from other sources (such as a municipal government).

What types of projects are being considered?

Projects must fall within the following project categories to be eligible for the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund. In addition, only assets that are currently owned or will be owned by Not-for-Profit entities will be eligible.

Temporary Housing Shelters - infrastructure providing temporary or emergency shelter to disadvantaged or homeless persons.

Community Centres - multi-purpose centres providing a facility for public use for meetings, recreation, arts, and other community purposes for use by the public.

Community Services - facilities that provide community and social services to the public such as food banks, immigrant services, employment and other counselling, and emergency animal shelters. This excludes not-for-profit organizations or projects whose primary focus and purpose is to provide health care, long term medical care or medical services to the public, education facilities (schools, colleges, universities, etc.) and correctional facilities.

Culture - Art galleries, libraries, museums, performing arts centres for the creation and presentation of the arts as well as preservation or enhancement of heritage structures.

Projects must be for the substantial renovation or rehabilitation of existing infrastructure or new capital infrastructure. Minor improvements (painting, flooring, interior decoration), vehicles and equipment are not eligible.

How will project proposals be evaluated?

There are a number of factors taken into consideration when evaluating project proposals. To be eligible, projects will be required to meet requirements with regards to the incrementality of the project, project readiness and merit, as defined below.

Project incrementality - All eligible recipients will be required to attest, in conjunction with their project application, that the work to be undertaken is an incremental construction activity that would not otherwise have been constructed by March 31, 2011, were it not for funding from the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund. Federal and provincial funding could be used to provide sufficient funding that allows a project to proceed that would not otherwise be built, or could be used to accelerate a project planned for future years so that it can be completed by March 2011.

Project readiness - All eligible recipients will be required to provide information necessary to determine if the project is construction-ready and likely to be substantially completed by March 31, 2011.

Project merit - As part of the online application form, all eligible recipients will be required to provide a description of the project benefits, which may inform the evaluation and selection of projects under the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund. For projects involving the rehabilitation of existing assets, such benefits could include: public health and safety, energy efficiency, accessibility, and/or extending the economic life of the asset consistent with sound asset management principles. For projects involving new construction, these benefits could include: adding new public infrastructure for which there is a demonstrable need, replacing an existing asset that has reached the end of its useful life, but is still needed to provide public services, or improving the energy efficiency, accessibility, safety or quality of public infrastructure in a community.

Financial leverage - The Government of Canada and the Province of Ontario is seeking to leverage additional funds to provide additional economic stimulus. The ability for a given project to leverage additional capital will be considered when making project decisions.

Endorsement – All Not-for-Profit project recipients must submit a resolution of its board of directors endorsing the project before any contribution agreement is signed.

In addition to these requirements, factors, such as environmental assessments or aboriginal consultations, as well as the proven financial and managerial capacity of the organization will be considered in all decisions. All eligible recipients are encouraged to refer to the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund Guidelines for Not-for-Profit entities in Ontario for more information.

Please also note that total costs of the eligible project cannot be less than $750,000.

How to apply?

All proposals will be received through Infrastructure Canada's online application system during the three week period identified in the announcement of this proposal intake. In order to use this system, you must have a user account. Prior to requesting an account, please make sure you have read ISF Not-for-Profit Guidelines to ensure you are an eligible entity with an eligible project.

To request a user account please contact us at +SIMSI-SPGII@infc.gc.ca

After receiving your user account information, please go to the following URL to use our online application form.

How will successful applicants receive their funding? Are there reporting requirements for the recipient?

The Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario will maximize value for taxpayers' money by supporting infrastructure projects that adhere to best practices and by requiring recipients to be accountable to taxpayers.

The Governments of Canada and Ontario encourage sound financial management and solid project planning processes, which include preparing cost estimates that each project contribution amount is based on.

An Infrastructure Stimulus Fund Contribution Agreement will be signed between Ontario and the project recipient, where Ontario, Canada and the recipient are contributing to the project.

It is the intention of both Canada and Ontario to have these contribution agreements put in place quickly and efficiently so that available funds can flow to projects over the next two years. These contribution agreements are also an important part of the accountability framework for the funding that will be allocated out of the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund.

Each contribution agreement includes stringent monitoring and reporting responsibilities for the recipient. Federal and provincial contributions are directly tied to these responsibilities, which are also subject to audit processes.

Link to Application Process for Not-for-Profit Organizations in Ontario >>

Link to Not-for-Profit Guidelines >>

Link to Infrastructure Stimulus Fund Program Guide >>

Back to Infrastructure in Ontario >>

Link to News Release >>