This email was sent to federal and provincial politicians asking that the second round of the stimulus fund be opened up to include nonprofit proposals.
June 15, 2009
We are writing to ask that the government move quickly to open up the second direct stimulus call to the nonprofit sector. The nonprofit sector in Canada works closely with municipal, provincial and federal governments in local communities and is a vital partner of government during this difficult time.
We are a large and diverse sector. More than one in every ten Canadians works in the sector and there are 161,000 nonprofits in this country, each of them with a double or even triple bottom line-contributing economically, socially, culturally and environmentally. The nonprofit sector is trusted by the Canadian public and has been a reliable and trusted partner of government, working in communities with Canadians. The nonprofit sector is uniquely positioned to help the country bounce back.
The sector is already actively working with all three levels of government to provide short term supports in local communities during this time of transition and we are positioned to be a crucial partner with government to build the foundations for our future well-being. Our sector is leading the way with social innovation in areas that will be crucial for our future prosperity - environment, education, housing, arts and culture, sport and recreation, health care, and social services. These sectors will be important drivers of our new economy.
Canada's charities and nonprofits must be included in government planning and government investment. The sector needs infrastructure investment to ensure we are most effective and able to play our part in the new economy. Moreover, such infrastructure spending will be money well spent on facilities that will, of course, remain in the public domain to serve generations of Canadians.
Many nonprofits, in communities large and small, are poised to begin capital projects that can be completed by March 2011. Not only will these projects create jobs among local businesses and trades, but they will strengthen the nonprofits themselves. These community-based projects address years of unmet need. All involve making public spaces more welcoming, safe, accessible, and energy efficient.
Charities and nonprofits are ready to raise additional funds and generate revenues to complete their projects. The sector knows how to stretch a dollar but they need access to the infrastructure funding to make these community projects happen.
The stimulus fund website commits to an intake for nonprofit projects in the second phase. We urge you to expedite the process. Many nonprofits are shovel ready and the time is now.
Thank you so much for your attention to this important initiative.
Sincerely,
Peter Clutterbuck, Social Planning Network of Ontario and ONN Co-Chair
&
Tonya Surman, Centre for Social Innovation and ONN Co-Chair
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