Ontario’s Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence: Call for Proposals Guidelines

Purpose and Introduction

Thank you for your interest in Ontario’s Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence: Call for Proposals (CFP). This CFP will expand evidence-based, innovative services and supports to help prevent and reduce gender-based violence in Ontario.

These CFP Application Guidelines (“the Guidelines”) are issued by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (“the ministry”) to provide prospective communities and organizations (“applicants”) with background information, eligibility requirements and instructions for how to apply.

Applicants are advised to read the Guidelines and CFP FAQs carefully, prior to completing and submitting an application.

To be considered for CFP funding, applicants must complete the application form. These Guidelines explain the key sections of the application form along with instructions on how to fill out each section (see Appendix).

The CFP application period is open from August 16 – October 11, 2024 (eight weeks). The deadline to submit applications is Friday October 11, 2024 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET). Applications that are late or incomplete will not be considered.

The ministry will notify applicants of final decisions in Fall 2024.

Please refer to the CFP FAQs for more information. General inquiries regarding the CFP can also be sent to GBVCFP-APVFG@ontario.ca.

Context

Gender-Based Violence in Ontario

Gender-based violence (GBV) refers to harmful acts of physical, economic, sexual, emotional or psychological abuse based on someone’s gender and unequal power dynamics. It can take the form of human trafficking, sexual assault and exploitation, femicide, stalking, intimate partner violence and family violence.

GBV is a pervasive issue that affects people of all backgrounds, genders and ages. While some women and girls are more at risk of gender-based violence than others (for example, Indigenous women, 2SLGBTQQIA+ people among others), gender-based violence can happen to anyone regardless of culture, religion or economic status.

Ontario invests in a number of programs and services to address gender-based violence. This includes shelters, child witness programs, victim services, counselling, and transitional housing supports. The government has made progress in responding to gender-based violence through the Anti-Human Trafficking Strategy and Ontario’s Pathways to Safety strategy. Ontario introduced new legislation to strengthen sexual violence and harassment policies in postsecondary institutions. In addition, ongoing work to modernize the child welfare system through Ontario’s Child Welfare Redesign Strategy will help protect children and improve child, youth and family wellbeing. However, there is more work that can be done to better address root causes of violence and support the longer-term needs of survivors.

Ontario’s Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence

In December 2023, the government released Ontario’s cross-government, four-year action plan to better respond to GBV, build safer, healthier communities, and support women’s well-being and economic opportunities. The action plan responds to feedback and recommendations from key sector partners and community and academic experts. It also reflects advice from a range of reviews on violence against women and children, including the Culleton, Kuzyk and Warmerdam (CKW) Inquest, the Domestic Violence Death Review Committee and the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

Ontario’s action plan is supported through The National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence (NAP GBV), a joint agreement between Ontario and the federal government. NAP GBV provides Ontario with $162 million over four years to implement NAP GBV in Ontario, building on the province’s $1.4 billion in existing investments over four years to prevent GBV and support victims.

Please visit the website for more information.

What is the Call for Proposals (CFP)?

The Call for Proposals (CFP) is a signature initiative under Ontario’s action plan with dedicated funding of approximately $100 million over three years that provides an opportunity to expand Ontario’s investments to further prevent and reduce GBV.

Through the CFP, the ministry is seeking proposals for evidence-based, innovative projects that:

• are designed for those most vulnerable to experiencing or perpetuating GBV with culturally responsive and safe services (e.g., child welfare);
• change attitudes and promote healthier relationships through education, training and awareness (e.g., for children, youth, men and boys);
• train and build capacity across sectors to recognize, prevent and intervene including through culturally responsive and trauma-informed services and referrals;
• strengthen multi-agency and cross-sectoral collaboration and coordination to prevent GBV and support survivors; and
• promote economic security and financial independence to help reduce vulnerability and safeguard women, individual and family wellness.

Proposals will be evaluated based on the quality of relevant and appropriate evidence to demonstrate the need for their project and that the proposed innovative project approach/model is supported by evidence. See Section 11: Assessment of Applications for more information.

Priority Areas for Projects

Four priority areas have been identified under the CFP. Applicants must identify one or more of the CFP’s four priority areas that aligns with their project.

Priority Area #1: Education & Awareness

Education and awareness initiatives aim to promote healthy attitudes and relationship skills and build capacity for professionals across sectors to help prevent violence before it occurs and prevent recurrence of violence.

Projects could include, but are not limited to:

• Supporting Indigenous Communities
  • Projects led by Indigenous partners could include education and awareness about the impacts of colonization, residential schools, the 60s Scoop and their links to gender-based violence and Missing and Murdered Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ peoples in order to equip community members with the knowledge and tools to recognize and prevent violence.
• Education of Boys and Men
  • Projects could include workshops, training and other education strategies designed for boys and men.
• Cross-Sectoral Training
  • Projects could include targeted training for professionals across sectors to identify signs of GBV and provide a culturally and trauma-informed response and assistance in making referrals for help (e.g., child welfare, community services).

Priority Area #2: Early Intervention & Prevention

Early intervention and prevention initiatives aim to promote the safety and well-being of individuals, children and families, foster positive parenting and healthy attachments, intervene early and prevent recurrence to provide trauma-informed supports and services.

Projects could include, but are not limited to:

• Trauma and Culturally Informed Services
  • Projects could include early intervention supports that integrate gender-based violence and chidren’s services such as counseling supports and community liaisons that can bridge cultural gaps and ensure services are accessible and reduce risk of future violence.
• Indigenous Holistic and Traditional Appraches Across the Healing Continuum
  • Projects could include teachings and traditional healing practices, medicines, ceremonies and land-based activities across the lifespan that are grounded in Indigenous knowledge and cultures. These approaches can strengthen community bonds and promote healing from trauma and violence. By addressing the root causes and impacts of GBV within cultural contexts, these initiatives can effectively prevent violence and support survivors in their recovery.
• Supporting Safety at Home
  • Projects could include improving personal safety and security measures of survivors (e.g., safety planning, personal technology, locks), ongoing supports from service providers, and access to legal advice to help survivors obtain protective court orders (e.g., restraining orders and peace bonds).

Priority Area #3: Community Planning & Service Integration

Community planning and service integration initiatives aim to strengthen community capacity to prevent and respond to gender-based violence and provide seamless support to survivors, those at risk and their families in their communities. Partnerships are mandatory for projects applying under this priority area in order to achieve successful service coordination and system integration (see Section 9: Partnerships for more information).

Projects could include, but are not limited to:

• Integrated Service Models
  • Projects could include the establishment or enhancement of an integrated service model in communities that brings together multiple service providers (e.g., health, social, counselling, and legal services) to offer coordinated, wraparound supports for survivors of GBV and their families.
  • Projects could include establishing an Indigenous-led integrated service model that incorporates traditional healing practices alongside other healthcare, counseling, and legal services. This model would provide culturally responsive supports to Indigenous survivors of GBV, including access to Elders, traditional ceremonies, and community-based healing circles.
• Multi-Agency Response Models
  • Projects could include mobile multi-agency response teams that include social services, healthcare providers, law enforcement and legal advocates to handle high-risk cases, improve information sharing, safety plan coordination and collaboration across sectors (e.g., justice, violence against women, child welfare).
  • Projects could include mobile response units staffed by Indigenous healthcare providers, social workers, legal advocates, and community leaders to respond to high-risk GBV cases in Indigenous communities, ensuring services are culturally responsive and based in community knowledge.

Priority Area #4: Economic Security & Financial Independence

Economic security initiatives aim to reduce vulnerability to gender-based violence by improving economic security and independence, as economic concerns are a key factor for being unable to prevent violence, leave a violent relationship, support recovery and safeguard family wellness.

Projects could include, but are not limited to:

• Financial Empowerment
  • Projects could include providing GBV survivors with financial literacy training, financial counseling, access to credit services and supporting them in achieving financial independence and wellbeing.
• Improving Recruitment, Retention and Success in Workplaces
  • Projects could include providing mentorship, networking and other promising practices that address barriers to economic security including their recruitment, retention and success in the workplace. By enhancing economic stability, these initiatives can prevent and reduce vulnerability to gender-based violence.
  • Projects by and for Indigenous communities could take a holistic approach to Indigenous women’s economic empowerment including an integrated system of supports that consider the context and reality of Indigenous peoples’ lives. This could include combining mentorship from Indigenous leaders based on traditional knowledge and cultural teachings, employment skills training and support for navigating workplace challenges and specialized wraparound supports. These projects could also include partnerships and collaborations with employers committed to providing culturally inclusive and safe workplaces ensuring greater retention for Indigenous staff.
• Addressing Workplace Harassment and Discrimination
  • Projects could include developing and delivering inclusive training and policies for staff and management to address gender-based violence in the workplace, such as sexual harassment and discrimination. Partnerships with community organizations to provide culturally responsive wraparound supports can further support the diverse needs of affected individuals.

Who Can Apply?

Eligible Applicants

Applicants must be a legal entity, including an organization that is incorporated under the laws of Ontario or Canada, First Nations, and Indigenous organizations (Métis, urban Indigenous, Inuit).

To be eligible for funding, an incorporated organization must have been incorporated for a minimum of one year, must be in good standing with the government (if already funded) and indicate preparedness to become funded.

Individuals and non-legal entities are not eligible to apply, but such entities may be identified by the applicant as a partner.

Applicants must have the presence and reputation necessary to provide quality programs and services to communities and vulnerable people.

• Note: Applicants will be required to attest that they are and will remain in compliance with all laws and requirements related to their legal status, including those related to charitable registration, if applicable.
• Further, successful applicants will be required to attest to their intent to enter into a Transfer Payment Agreement with Ontario, with requirements related to matters including governance, communication activities, and reporting requirements.

Applications must be submitted by a single applicant, even if they have identified partners undertaking or co-leading the project (see Section 9: Partnerships for more information). Applicants with existing networks and referral relationships are encouraged to leverage those connections for their project proposal. Any partnership must include at least one eligible member (the “lead applicant”). The lead applicant, if successful, will be the signatory to the funding agreement with the province and will be solely responsible to the province for fulfilling all obligations set out in the government funding agreement. If funded, the lead applicant will be responsible for entering into any contracts or other arrangements necessary to ensure its partners fulfill their roles in carrying out the project.

Applicants may submit more than one application for distinct projects. If multiple applications are submitted, it must be clear how applications are distinct from each other, linkages between the projects and the roles and responsibilities within the organization (and partners, where applicable) for each project.

Applicants do not have to be an Ontario-based entity. However, project beneficiaries must be limited to Ontarians. Activities outside of Ontario are not eligible.

Please contact the ministry at GBVCFP-APVFG@ontario.ca should you have any questions regarding your eligibility.

TPON Registration Requirement

The government requires that all organizations with whom it enters into a transfer payment agreement and flows funding to be registered on Transfer Payment Ontario (TPON), the province’s web-based transfer payment management system.

Applicants not currently registered on TPON should register as soon as possible to expedite contracting and receipt of funding if their proposal is successful. Applicants must be registered before entering into an agreement and receiving funding from the Government of Ontario.

Please visit TPON (gov.on.ca) for information about how to register. If you need assistance with TPON please contact Transfer Payment Ontario at:

• Local: 416-325-6691
• Toll-free: 1-855-216-3090
• Email: TPONCC@Ontario.ca

Priority Populations

For the purpose of the CFP, priority populations refer to groups that are most vulnerable to experiencing gender-based violence (see the below list).

All applicants must identify one or more priority population(s) that their project is designed to target.

Priority populations may include, but are not limited to:

• Indigenous communities and populations
• Rural and remote communities
• Black and other racialized populations
• Newcomers and immigrants
• 2SLGBTQQIA+ individuals
• Women with disabilities
• Francophone women
• Families and children involved with the child welfare system
• Youth

Applications to reduce gender-based violence, including through engaging men and boys to promote healthy relationships and change attitudes, are also encouraged.

Applicants may identify another priority population and provide supporting evidence to demonstrate how their project will address GBV-related needs and risks for the selected priority population(s).

Applicants must cite evidence that their proposed project will help to prevent or reduce the impacts of GBV for their selected priority population(s) (e.g., data about the outcome of the use of the proposed approach with the selected population in other communities or jurisdictions). Please see Section 11: Assessment of Applications for more information.

Expected Outcomes of Ontario’s Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence

Successful proposals must demonstrate how they will achieve one or more of these outcomes:

Measurement and Results Reporting

Applicants must submit a measurement and results reporting plan to demonstrate that they have the capacity, or will have the capacity through partnerships, to collect and report key project results to the ministry. If successful, applicants will be required to report on at least one of the following standardized indicators^{footnote 1[1]}:

• # of individuals served
• # of resources delivered
• # of partnerships established

Beyond the standardized indicators above, applicants are expected to collect and report on additional project-specific indicators. In their measurement and results reporting plan, applicants should outline how they plan to collect and report on project activities and project-specific indicators as well as who is directly benefiting from the project and how. Desired project outcomes should align with the outcomes of Ontario’s Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence (see Section 6: Expected Outcomes of Ontario’s Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence).

Successful applicants may also be required to collect and report on additional indicators, targets and supplementary information, to be determined in consultation with the ministry.

Reporting Timelines

Applicants will be expected to report back on their expenditures and project results (e.g., required indicators). At a minimum, applicants will provide the ministry with an interim report in the fall (in 2025 and 2026) and a final report in the spring of each fiscal year.

French Language Services (FLS)

All applicants proposing to deliver services in an area of the province designated under the French Language Services Act (FLSA), must demonstrate their capacity to offer services in French, when appropriate.

At a minimum, successful applicants would be required to:

• Demonstrate capacity to deliver services in French in accordance with the principle of active offer
• Submit a completed French Language Services Quality Improvement Plan (FLS QIP) in the form provided by the province
• Participate in the validation process with respect to the FLS Quality Improvement Plan with the Province

Partnerships

Applicants are encouraged to consider whether a partnership may improve the project’s ability at achieving intended project outcomes. While partnerships are not mandatory, partners may be beneficial to the project through a co-leadership, collaborative, or supportive role. Please note that the ministry recognizes that not all communities have a range of possible partners to choose from, particularly in rural and remote communities.

Applicants are expected to demonstrate that their project design, including their measurement and results reporting plan, is grounded in, or informed by, expertise. Where applicants do not have the expertise in-house, applicants are strongly encouraged to partner, consult or engage with academic researchers, Indigenous knowledge bearers or other relevant and appropriate sources able to assist with, or advise on, developing and delivery of an evidence-based project design, including measurement and reporting.

Examples of how partnerships can enhance project delivery include, but are not limited to include:

• Leveraging academic and evidence research and subject-matter expertise, conducting evaluation and collecting and reporting data: Partners can support lead applicants in developing and delivering evidence-based projects through research, consultations, data collection and analysis. Partners may also provide insight and recommendations based on current research, academic insights and best practices.
  • Examples of partners include sector-based organizations, universities, think tanks and research institutions.
• Community planning and service integration: For projects that align with the Community Planning and Service Integration priority area, lead applicants are required to demonstrate established relationships and connections with service providers and referral networks, in order to deliver coordinated and integrated services.
  • Examples of partnerships could include working together with municipalities and First Nations communities, the private sector, other cross-sector service providers.
• Increasing reach to priority population(s), communities or participants: Partners can support lead applicants in reaching potential participants from the selected priority population(s) that projects are looking to serve. Partners may also help to raise awareness of the project, act as a community liaison to establish trust and provide supportive services.
  • Examples of partners include community-based organizations and non-profits such as women’s shelters, children’s aid societies and community centres.
• Delivering culturally responsive services: Partners can support lead applicants to develop and deliver the project’s proposed services in a culturally appropriate and relevant manner that meets the needs of the selected priority population(s).
  • Examples of partners include cultural, faith-based or linguistic organizations.

In their application, the lead applicant must specify their partners and clearly outline each partner’s roles and responsibilities. The value added by partners’ contributions in achieving the project's objective and success will be evaluated as part of the application (see Section 10: Assessment Criteria for further information).

The province will only enter a contract with the lead applicant. The lead applicant may enter contracts of its own with its partners in respect to their roles in carrying out the project (see Section 12: Accountability for more information).

Funding

The ministry is dedicating approximately $100 million over three years to innovative, evidence-based projects that meet local and community-based needs.

While actual costs will be determined and negotiated with each successful applicant, proposed budgets must be a minimum of $100,000 and under $5,000,000 over three years. Recommended amounts of funding available for different sizes of projects are as follows (illustrative examples have been provided to help applicants determine scaling):

• Small: $100,000 - $250,000 over three years
  For example: Education and awareness campaigns; parenting classes; financial literacy workshops.
• Medium: $250,000 - $750,000 over three years
  For example: GBV prevention and intervention training for professionals in other sectors; mentorship program to support women’s recruitment, retention and promotion in the workplace.
• Large: $750,000 - $5,000,000 over three years
  For example: Community hub that integrates multi-service providers under one roof.

The Government of Ontario’s fiscal year begins on April 1st of each year and ends on March 31st of the following year.

Funding can be requested for up to three years (2024-25 to 2026-27). The funding for the first year of the project (2024-25) will be pro-rated to the project start date (anticipated to be fall 2024) and may include costs associated with project launch.

It is expected that successful applicants will begin their project immediately upon entering into their Transfer Payment Agreement. The ministry will only be funding projects that introduce new initiatives or enhance or build on existing initiatives (e.g., serving a new community/region or a different priority population). The ministry will not fund projects that duplicate services already provided or funded from the Government of Ontario (except those that will expand services as detailed above).

The Ministry does not guarantee that successful applicants will receive the amount of funding requested. Applicants may be asked to adjust the scale of their proposed budget, as a condition of funding.

Applicants should not take any action, or incur any costs related to their project prior to entering into a contract with the ministry and the project commencement date. The Government of Ontario is not responsible for paying any cost incurred by any applicant should the application not be approved, or if the successful applicant fails to enter into a contract satisfactory to the ministry, in its sole and absolute discretion.

Funding Targets

While all projects that meet the requirements of the CFP and contribute to the desired outcomes of the CFP will be evaluated on their merit, the CFP will be dedicating (over three years) at a minimum:

• $19.6 million towards GBV prevention-focused projects
• $12.2 million towards Indigenous-led projects
• $20 million towards economic security and financial independence projects

Applicants will need to specify in their applications if their project is GBV prevention-focused, Indigenous-led, and/or economic security and financial independence-focused or none of the above.

Eligible Costs

Eligible costs are budget items directly related to the project. This could include salaries/wages and materials to support project delivery (e.g., year one start-up costs, research, capacity building, planning and design, consultations/engagements costs, participant/client remuneration, supplies, materials, equipment, web-based platform, data collection, measurement and reporting), building accommodation, travel, staff recruitment and training, and allocated central administration.

Costs must be reasonable and necessary for successful completion and implementation of the project. General administrative costs should not exceed 10% of the overall budget.

Ineligible Costs

Expenses that are not directly related to the project will not be covered for funding, except for allocated central administration costs.

The following examples will not be covered, even if they are related to the project:

• Activities that take place outside of Ontario
• Costs covered by other government funding
• Legal challenges, costs and settlements
• Bonuses, gifts and donations (excluding token participant remuneration)
• Annual general meetings, budget deficits, membership fees, fundraising activities, committee and political meetings, or religious activities
• Contingency or unexplained miscellaneous costs
• Property tax expenses
• Mortgage payments, loans, interest, investments
• Major capital expenditures, such as the acquisition of land/buildings
• Portion of Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) costs that are refundable
• Costs associated with the preparation of a proposal in response to this CFP

Assessment of Applications

Applications will be assessed against the below criteria. Applications will also be reviewed against additional factors in order to meet funding targets, minimize duplication of projects and to address a wide range of community needs across the province. The ministry’s decisions are final.

Accountability

An application must be submitted by one applicant, even if the application is in partnership with others. If an application is successful, this (lead) applicant will be the sole signatory to the funding agreement with the province and will be responsible for fulfilling all obligations set out in the government funding agreement. The lead applicant in a partnership will enter into its own contracts or other arrangements with its partner/s.

The distribution of any funding is subject to the successful negotiation of a funding agreement between the funding recipient and the province that will set out the terms and conditions governing matters such as the governance, communications, use of the funds, reporting, performance measures, and accountability requirements.

Successful applicants will:

• Be registered on Transfer Payment Ontario (TPON) (see Section 4.2 TPON Registration).
• Be accountable to the province for all monies and service components and will be the final decision-making authority among partner organizations for the initiative under the funding agreement.
• Manage their implementation plan to meet financial and accountability reporting requirements and milestones, as identified in the funding agreement.
• Be responsible for receiving, administering, and allocating funds to any partner organizations in accordance with the requirements of their agreements with partner organizations. The province will only provide funding to the lead organization and will not be involved in distributing funds to any partner organizations.
• Be responsible for measuring results and reporting back their performance as required by their funding agreement.

Funding will be paid in installments per a specific payment schedule that forms part of the funding agreement. Payment will depend on the funding recipient meeting all requirements under the funding agreement with the province.

No Commitment to Fund

The Ministry:

• makes no commitment to fund all applicants or any one applicant.
• may choose which applicants to fund, if any, at its sole and absolute discretion.
• even if an application meets all the CFP objectives and criteria, there is no guarantee that funding will be approved, as there may be other projects that, in the sole opinion of the ministry, more effectively meet the CFP objectives and criteria.
• does not guarantee that the total amount of funding requested by a successful applicant will be approved.
• shall not be responsible for any cost or expenses incurred by any applicant, including any costs or expenses associated with preparing and submitting responses to this CFP.

Conflict of Interest

Successful applicants will be required to carry out the projects and use the funds received from the province pursuant to the projects without an actual, potential, or perceived conflict of interest. A conflict of interest may include a situation where an applicant or any person who has the capacity to influence the applicant’s decisions, has outside commitments, relationships or financial interests that could, or could be seen to, interfere with the applicant’s objective, unbiased and impartial judgment relating to the program and the use of the funds.

Confidentiality

Please note that the ministry is subject to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (Act). The Act provides every person with a right of access to information in the custody or under the control of the ministry, subject to a limited set of exemptions.

Section 17 of the Act provides a limited exemption for third party information that reveals a trade secret, or scientific, commercial, technical, financial or labour relations information supplied in confidence where disclosure of the information could reasonably be expected to result in certain harms. Any trade secret or any scientific, technical, commercial, financial or labour relations information submitted to the ministry in confidence should be clearly marked. The ministry will notify you before granting access to a record that might contain information referred to in Section 17 so that you may make representations to the ministry concerning disclosure.

Section 15.1 of the Act provides that information that could reasonably be expected to prejudice the conduct of relations between a First Nation and the Government of Ontario, or reveal information received in confidence from a First Nation, may be protected from disclosure by the ministry.

Applicants are advised that the names and addresses of funding recipients, their partnered organizations, the amount of funding provided, and the purpose for which funds are provided is information that the ministry may make available to the public.

Privacy and Personal Information

Applicants must be mindful of their obligations under relevant legislation when preparing and implementing their application to ensure they are complying with all requirements of law.

If funded, applicants will be responsible for ensuring appropriate confidentiality, privacy and security of information when carrying out the project.

Rights of the Ministry

In applying, the applicant is deemed to have acknowledged that the ministry may:

• communicate directly with any applicant or potential applicants.
• at its sole discretion, accept applications for consideration that are not strictly compliant with the requirements outlined above.
• verify with any applicant or with a third party any information set out in an application.
• at any time, and from time to time make changes, including substantial changes, to this guide and related documents including the application form by way of new information on the designated website.
• cancel this application and CFP process at any stage of the application or evaluation process.
• reject any or all applications in its sole and absolute discretion.
• fund entities for similar projects regardless of whether these entities have applied in response to this CFP.

Appendix: Completing the Application Form

Steps to apply:

1. Create an account with EngageON.
2. Complete the application form through EngageON.
3. Submit.
4. Register and create a My Ontario Account email account on Transfer Payment Ontario as soon as possible.

Applications to the CFP must be completed through the application form. Answers may be provided in a bulleted format to support clarity and conciseness. Instructions have been provided on how to fill out each question of the application form.

Introduction

Question 1: Do you have a Transfer Payment Agreement with the Ontario Government managed through Transfer Payment Ontario. (Yes/No)

• If Yes, please provide your My Ontario Account email.
• If No, please visit TPON (gov.on.ca) and create an account after submission of your application as soon as possible. All applicants must be registered on TPON.

Question 2: Please provide the following information about your organization

• Legal Name
• Operating Name
• Address
• CRA Number

Question 3: Please provide the name of your project (maximum 150 characters)

Provide a short, descriptive name that will easily identify your proposed project.

Question 4: Please provide a brief description of your proposed project (maximum 2,000 characters)

Please note that if your project is successful, the Ministry may include this description on its website.

• Has your organization submitted another application, or are you a partner on another application for this Call for Proposals? If so, please provide the name(s) of the other application(s).
• Please ensure that this project description outlines how this application is distinct from others submitted to this CFP and any linkages between the projects.

Question 5: Please select the priority area(s) your project is targeting (select all that apply)

• Education & Awareness
• Early Intervention & Prevention
• Community Planning & Service Integration
• Economic Security & Financial Empowerment

Please see Section 3 of the Guidelines for more information on priority areas of focus.

Question 6: Please select your project type (select all that apply)

• GBV Prevention
• Indigenous-Led
• Economic Security and Financial Independence
• Other

Please see Section 10.1 of the Guidelines for more information.

Question 7: Primary application contact for this proposal

Please identify the person to be contacted should the ministry require further information about the proposal. Include: Name (first and last), Job Title, Phone Number, Email.

Question 8: Organization contact for this proposal

Please identify the person to be contacted should the application be successful. Note: this may differ from the primary applicant contact. Include: Name (first and last), Job Title, Phone Number, Email.

Question 9: Signing authority contact for this proposal

Please identify the person who will be e-signing this contract, if successful. Include: Name (first and last), Job Title, Phone Number, Email.

Demonstrated Evidence of Need & Innovation

Question 10: Describe both how the project is fulfilling a need and is innovative

• Outline the evidence of the need for your project, including what gaps your project will address, how it aligns with the proposed priority area(s) and how it will reduce GBV for your selected priority population(s). (maximum 1000 words)
  • Clearly indicate which priority population(s) are being supported, how the priority population is vulnerable to experiencing or perpetuating GBV and how the proposed project will address their needs and reduce GBV. See Section 5 for more information on priority populations.
  • Clearly indicate how the project aligns with the proposed priority area(s).
  • The guidelines and application form invite applicants to provide reliable evidence to support their proposal. This could include quantitative or qualitative data, third party reports and recommendations (e.g., from the CKW Inquest, Domestic Violence Death Review Committee), academia, journal/scholarly articles and publications (e.g., from Statistics Canada, police) or through local findings as a result of community consultations, a gap analysis, an environmental scan, Indigenous traditional knowledge, studies of other communities and jurisdictions.
  • Sources should be cited and links may be included as the quality of evidence will be assessed. However, sources will not be reviewed or scored as part of the evaluation by the Ministry. Please do not attach additional documents.
• Outline the evidence of innovation for your project, including how your project is introducing new ideas or expanding on existing practices and evidence of effectiveness to meet needs (maximum 1000 words).
  • Describe how the innovation of your project applies a concept, method or approach to address a gap or expand a practice to support a priority population that is not currently used or has not been widely implemented in Ontario but has been demonstrated to be effective in other communities or jurisdictions.
  • Please include how the project complements and does not duplicate existing programs/services in the proposed community or region or for the priority population(s) being targeted.
  • Relevant and appropriate evidence should be provided to support your response. This may include quantitative or qualitative data, third party reports and recommendations (e.g., from the CKW Inquest, Domestic Violence Death Review Committee), academia, journal/scholarly articles and publications (e.g., from Statistics Canada, police) or through local findings as a result of community consultations, a gap analysis, an environmental scan, traditional knowledge, surveys and successes in other communities and jurisdictions.
  • Sources should be cited and links may be included as the quality of evidence will be assessed. However, sources will not be reviewed or scored as part of the evaluation by the Ministry. Please do not attach additional documents.

Proposed Approach

Question 11: Is this proposed project being delivered in partnership with other organizations? (Yes/No)

If Yes, you must be the lead applicant applying for this Call for Proposal. Please indicate the following for each supporting partner:

• Partner organization(s): Name, address, phone, website.
• Primary contact(s): Name, title, address, phone, email
• How will the partners contribute to the success of your proposed project? (maximum 1000 words).
  • Identify each partner’s sector and/or areas of expertise.
  • Identify their roles, responsibilities and anticipated contribution (e.g., expertise, resources, skills).
  • Explain how collaboration and partnership(s) will be sustained over the course of the project.
  • Include whether these are existing partnerships/collaborations or new partnerships that will be developed due to funding from the CFP and how they will support achieving desired project outcomes.
  • Where applicable, include information about established relationships and connections with existing service providers and referral networks to support delivery of more coordinated services and system integration planning.
  • The ministry recognizes that not all communities have a range of possible partners to choose from, particularly in rural and remote communities. If there are a limited number of organizations, private businesses or individuals you could work with as part of the project please note this in your answer.
  • See Section 9 for more information.

Question 12: Describe potential risks to project success and the mitigation strategies you will employ to address them (maximum 500 words)

• Document any potential risks, challenges, or obstacles you anticipate in implementing your proposed activities and rate them low, medium, or high and identify the actions your organization would take to mitigate their impact. For example:
  • Risk: Low completion rate (Medium).
  • Mitigation: Promotion via social media and stakeholder engagement plan.

Question 13: Describe the activities of the project that will work to reach and serve target priority population(s) (e.g., outreach, promotion) (maximum 500 words)

Identify how the project activities will be tailored to meet and support the needs and strengths of the target priority population(s) and how equity, anti-racism, accessibility, and cultural relevance will be incorporated throughout the project.

Question 14: Describe potential opportunities for scaling up, replicating or sustaining beyond the project timeframe, including wind-down activities (maximum 500 words)

Identify how the project can be maintained over the long term, which may include a plan for possible scalability to other communities (i.e., how lessons learned could be shared (e.g., via published findings, workshops, digital products) and implemented by other communities and sectors). Please also outline how your organization will work to wind down your proposed project.

Measurement & Results Reporting

Question 15: Describe how you will measure the progress of your project:

1. Which outcome(s) of Ontario’s action plan will your proposed project be working towards achieving (select all that apply)?
   • Service providers have improved capacity to recognize and respond to needs.
   • Perpetrators have increased awareness of and skills to stop the cycle of violence.
   • Survivors and dependents receive high-quality services that are culturally responsive to their diverse needs.
   • Cross-sector collaboration is enhanced to expand prevention-focused programs.
   • Promote economic security and independence for survivors to help prevent gender-based violence and support recovery.

   See Section 6 for more information on the outcomes of Ontario’s action plan.

2. What activities/services/supports will your project be delivering? (maximum 250 words)
   • Activities are what is being done. For example, training sessions, counselling services.
3. Which standardized indicators will you be reporting back on? Select all that apply
   • Number of Individuals Served
   • Number of Resources Delivered
   • Number of Partnerships Established

   See Section 7 for more information on measurement and results reporting.

4. What outputs do you anticipate achieving? (Maximum 100 characters).
   • Outputs are produced through activities. For example, the number of clients served through the proposed project, workshops delivered, etc.
5. What project outcomes do you anticipate achieving in the short term (0-6 months)? (Maximum 100 characters)
   • Project outcomes are measurable changes resulting from project activities. For example, a short-term outcome may be to increase participants’ GBV-related awareness and knowledge to address GBV.
6. What project outcomes do you anticipate achieving in the medium term (6 months- 3 years? (Maximum 100 characters)
   • Project outcomes are measurable changes resulting from project activities. For example, a medium-term outcome may be an increase of referrals and access to services and supports for survivors/victims of GBV.
7. What project outcomes do you anticipate achieving in the long term (3-5 years)? (Maximum 100 characters)
   • Project outcomes are measurable changes resulting from project activities. For example, a long-term outcome may be to decrease prevalence of GBV.
8. Outline your capacity, relevant previous experience and your measurement and results reporting plan to collect, monitor and report required data to the ministry and identify promising practices (maximum 500 words).
   • Describe the tools (e.g. surveys, software, and/or methods) that you will use to collect, store and report these results to the ministry.
   • Describe any challenges you may encounter in data collection, storage and reporting and how you will address them
   • Describe any partnerships that you may establish to provide support and/or build capacity to collect, monitor and report required data and outcomes as well as best practices and lessons learned from project completion.
   • See Section 7 for information on collection and reporting of required data.

Project Delivery

Question 16: Please complete the workplan provided, indicating clear and calendarized milestones that align with the project duration (please attach a separate document)

The workplan should act as a high-level roadmap and should provide an overview of the work that will be done, who will execute it and who will benefit from these activities and how. See table for examples.

Workplan/Timeline Template

Question 17: Using the Budget Template provided, outline a clear breakdown of costs (please provide a separate document)

• The budget should demonstrate that activity costs are reasonable and provide value for money (i.e., that there is a “fit” between the available amount and what it will be used for).
• The costs may include but are not limited to the project lines identified in the template below. General administrative costs should not exceed approximately 10% of the overall budget.
• Review “Eligible Costs” (see Section 9.1) to ensure expenses listed are eligible.
• Note that the project must comply with the OPS Travel Meal and Hospitality Expenses Directive.

Preliminary Budget Template

Question 18: What other sources of funding have you secured or are available for this project? (maximum 300 words)

• Identify funding sources confirmed and/or pending as Ontario will not be funding the same activities under different funding streams.
• Applicants should not take any action, or incur any costs related to their project prior to entering into a Transfer Payment Agreement with the ministry and the project commencement date.

Question 19: If government funding is not secured, will efforts to launch the project continue? (Yes/No)

Question 20: Have you received funding from the Government of Ontario in the last five years? (Yes/No)

• If yes, please identify previously funded programs and from which ministry(s).
• Please outline any previously successful funding contributions received from the Government of Ontario that have occurred within the last five years.

Organizational Capacity

Question 21: What types of resources (financial, human, technological) do you have to support the project (maximum 500 words)?

• Please provide the number of full-time, part-time staff, and volunteers.
• Describe (lead) applicant’s governance body (e.g. Board of Directors, Board of Trustees, Advisory Committee, First Nation Chief and Council).
• List the key roles and responsibilities of governance body members and Executive Director (or equivalent), and how the composition of members represents the community you serve.
• Describe what changes, if any, there have been to your Board (or senior management if you do not have a Board) in the last two years. If applicable, describe how these changes affected the organization.
• Explain, if applicable, how the composition of your Board represents the community it serves.

Question 22: What is your organization’s primary purpose or mandate (maximum 250 words)?

• Please describe your organization’s core mandate/vision, key objectives and goals, and what beneficiaries it serves.

Question 23: Please outline your current or previous programming/activity applicable to the priority area(s) you are applying for. (maximum 750 Words)

• List and describe any relevant experience in delivering or supporting past programs or initiatives with comparable scope, objectives, and beneficiaries.

Question 24: If applicable, describe any real or perceived conflict of interest that your organization (or partners) may have in relation to the undertaking of this project, and your mitigation strategy (maximum 300 words).

• A conflict of interest may include a situation where an applicant or any person who has the capacity to influence the applicant’s decisions, has outside commitments, relationships or financial interests that could, or could be seen to, interfere with the applicant’s objective, unbiased and impartial judgment relating to the project and the use of the funds.

Question 25: Additional Information

In addition to completing sections above, applicants must also submit all the following attachments as PDFs:

1. Proof of legal entity status (e.g., certificate of incorporation, certificate of registration).
2. Signed attestations from your Partner Organizations to demonstrate commitment and support for implementing the project per the roles and responsibilities in the application.
3. Current list and biographies of the board members and leadership team of your organization (if applicable). The ministry acknowledges that Indigenous partners and entities submitting an application may have different leadership structures (i.e., Boards, Chiefs and Council, Grand Chiefs).
4. By-laws of your organization (if applicable).
5. Most recent audited financial statements for your organization (audited preferred.) Other statements may be accepted, however, the reliability of the information in the financial statements (the extent to which an external auditor was involved) may have an impact on the assessed risk of funding your proposal.
6. Signed attestation form: download the attestation form.