COMMUNITY GO GREEN FUND

Community Go Green Fund Q & A, Round Three

1. What is the goal of the Community Go Green funding program?

• The ultimate goal is reducing the amount of greenhouse gases.  We know that reducing greenhouse gases for the public sector comes down to making lifestyle changes.  This fund finances projects that teach people about climate change and actions they can take to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 

Questions Re: Submitting Proposal

2. Where can I get more information and/or an application form?

• Go to www.ene.gov.on.ca/en/air/climatechange/cggf.php.  An Application Guide and Application Form can be downloaded from the site.

 3. How can I get a hard copy of the Application Package?

• You can request a hard copy directly from the website or send an email to Cheryl.Chung2@ontario.ca.

4. Is there an administration fee to apply to the program?

• No.

5. When is the deadline to apply?

• Proposals must be received by the Community Go Green office on November 20, 2009 by 5:00 PM, local Toronto time. 
• Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

6. How will I know if the ministry received my application?

• A notification letter will be sent to you within two weeks of the deadline date (November 20, 2009) confirming receipt of your proposal.

7. Can I submit my application electronically? (Application Guide, Part H)

• Unfortunately, applications cannot be done on-line.  In fact, applications must be submitted in hard copy and in an electronic format (Word and Excel 2003 or older) on a CD or USB drive. 
• Some documents may require multiple copies.

8. If I forget to submit a part of the application package, can I send it after the deadline?

• The Ministry will not accept any documents or information submitted after the deadline.  Applications that are incomplete will not pass the preliminary screening.

9. What is pre-screening?

• The ministry will pre-screen application packages for i) organization eligibility and ii) package completeness.
• Should there be deficiencies, applicants will be notified and asked to provide missing information by the deadline date.
• If you want your application to be pre-screened, then it must be received by the Community Go Green office before November 6, 2009 by 5:00 PM, local Toronto time.  Otherwise, if it is missing documents, then it will be incomplete and will not go forward.

Questions Re: Eligibility

10. Which groups are eligible to apply? (Application Guide, Part B)

• Legal entities that are one of the following:
• An incorporated not-for-profit organization operating at the provincial, regional or local level in Ontario such as:
• Environmental organizations
• Youth, cultural associations
• A small municipality (population under 20,000)
• An educational institution (university, college, public/private school or school board)
• A conservation authority
• An Aboriginal community or organization.
• Ineligible entities can join with incorporated groups to deliver the project – the incorporated group must be the applicant.

11. Can municipalities apply for funding? (Application Guide, Part B)

• Municipalities must have a by-law in place demonstrating support for the proposal.
• Small municipalities (populations under 20,000) can apply for direct funding.
• Large municipalities can join with incorporated organizations (the incorporated group will be the applicant).

12. What types of projects are eligible? (Application Guide, Part B)

• Projects must seek to achieve reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and help Ontario achieve its greenhouse gas reduction targets through all three of the mechanisms listed below: 
• Providing outreach and education and
• Promoting long-term behavioural change and
• Directing measurable action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

13. What kind of project expenses will be covered by the fund? (Application Guide, Part D)

• Costs directly related to the project, such as:
• Staff salaries
• Communications and distribution
• Contract and professional services costs
• Reasonable travel costs at Ontario government rates.

(More details on expense eligibility are available in the Application Guide)

14. What kind of expenses will not be covered by the fund? (Application Guide, Part D)

• Capital expenses such as non-portable equipment, vehicles, etc.
• Lobbying and/or advocacy activities
• Rent or mortgage costs
• Costs for food, beverages, hotel and other related expenses
• Refundable Goods and Services Tax or other refundable expenses.

(Note:  This is not an exhaustive list.  Please contact staff listed under Q.24 regarding queries for further clarification.)

15. What if we already have funding secured from other sources for our project?

• The ministry will consider applications from groups that have received additional sources of funding for their project.  All funding (dollar amount and source) must be disclosed in the application form.

16. What if our project has already started?  Will the ministry fund projects that are
half-way through?

• The ministry will consider funding a distinct portion of a larger project that has already started, as long as the portion fulfills the project requirements.

17. Can I apply again if I have already received funding from CGGF?

• You may apply, but the project must be completely different or a new aspect of the previous project.

Questions Re: Flow of Funding

18. When and how will the money be distributed?

• Approved funding will be distributed in a minimum of three instalments.
• The first instalment of funding will begin in March 2010. 
• Further funding instalments will be distributed based upon the applicant reaching satisfactory project milestone(s) and the completion of interim reports.

Questions Re: Details of the Fund

19. What is the maximum funding amount available per project?

• The ministry will consider applications up to $65,000. 
  

20. Are there any other funding limits?

• The ministry will only fund salaries and wages for both staff and contracted personnel to a maximum of 60 per cent of the total funding amount. 

21. When do I have to complete my project?

• All projects must be successfully completed by February 28, 2011.

22. How will successful proposals be chosen?

• Each proposal will be assessed by a review panel on a merit-based system using weighted evaluation criteria.
• The evaluation criteria can be found in the Application Guide (Part G).

23.  Who is on the review panel?

• The review panel is made up of government officials with expertise in the areas of greenhouse gas emissions and public outreach.

24. Who can I contact for more information on the program?

Cheryl Chung
Community Go Green Fund Co-ordinator
Business and Fiscal Planning Branch
Ministry of the Environment
40 St. Clair Avenue West
Toronto, Ontario, M4V 1M2
Phone: 416-314-7374
Fax: 416-314-7858
Cheryl.Chung2@ontario.ca

Jean-Pierre Bombardier
Business and Fiscal Planning Branch
Ministry of the Environment
40 St. Clair Avenue West
Toronto, Ontario, M4V 1M2
Phone: 416-325-6906
Fax: 416-314-7858
Jean-Pierre.Bombardier@ontario.ca

Nathalie Zigomanis
Business and Fiscal Planning Branch
Ministry of the Environment
40 St. Clair Avenue West
Toronto, Ontario, M4V 1M2
Phone: 416-314-9306
Fax: 416-314-7858
Nathalie.Zigomanis@ontario.ca