Examples of answers for the Sparking Change Toronto Microgrants Application
The Toronto Sparking Change program provides $2,500 microgrants to support equity-deserving and BIPOC led Toronto groups to host an outdoor activity in their local park or green space that support community well-being and connection.
Here, you will find some examples of previous answers that stood out to our team because they were:
- Clear and to the point
- Well thought out and complete
- Descriptive and had enough detail to answer the question
- Showed values and/or experiences of the group
This application provided short and clear descriptions of previous activities, and demonstrated a clear thought process behind them:
Q: Describe your past experiences hosting outdoor community events in parks or green spaces? If your experience is limited, what supports will you seek to ensure you are successful?
A: The transformation of what was once grass on infill from 150 years of city-building to a Healing Garden has meant regular Work Bees. Conversations while working with children and families, seniors from the 2 residences nearby, and other passersby are key to community engagement.
Our group hosted its first formal event on the Summer Solstice, 2020. Our group’s Elder led 10 people in Ceremony, and a video of the event was posted to FB. That fall, we posted a reflection from the Food and Medicine Garden, hosted a tour during Urban Agriculture Week, and celebrated our Naming Ceremony on the Fall Equinox. On the Winter Solstice, Our group’s Elder offered small group Tobacco Teachings.
In 2021, we were able to host larger groups, marking the Equinoxes and Solstices with Ceremony. More than 50 people joined the Summer Solstice Circle. We also organized 2 Garrison Creek walks, Pollinator Week activities with Hippo School classes, and an interactive Draw-a-Pollinator activity to entice passersby.
The 2022 season began on Sunday, Mar 20th, including a Spring Equinox Ceremony led byOur group’s Elder, with a Tobacco Teaching and 2-Spirit Teaching by Glen Hart of Fife House. More than 50 people attended.
This application provided various considerations of accessibility:
Q: What efforts will you make to ensure that your events are inclusive (to people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds) and accessible (physically accessible, as well as open to the public)?
A: We are committed to opening up space where Indigenous people, Teachings, and Ceremonies such as Full Moon Ceremonies are at the centre. It is free, open to the public, and reached via the St. Clair W. streetcar route.
Because our group benefits from an Elder’s guidance and is diverse in its membership and partnerships, our outreach includes a wide variety of communities. Two-spirit, transgender, and intersex people are welcome to sit in Ceremony with either the Women or the Men. All genders (some Indigenous communities recognize up to 9) will come together in the final Ceremony.
Since past experience tells us that some participants may have hearing loss, we will use a sound system for the outdoor Ceremony and offer face shields to speakers who might otherwise wear a mask. Masks, hand sanitizing, and social distancing will be recommended to protect older/immunocompromised participants.
Food options will take vegetarian, vegan, diabetic, and allergen-free diets into consideration.
Volunteers will offer onsite support for access to the ramps into, through, and out of the building for those attending the Women’s Lodge.
This application provided a concise, brief and clear event description, and was to the point:
Q: Brief description of your activity
A: The Walk and wheel together event will be hosted at theHumber Park. Walk and wheel together in the park will be an open entry (any age) initiative. Participating members will gain tangible expression of belonging in the diverse community by utilizing the green spaces in the park and enjoying the newly renovated trail.
Participants will be encouraged to adhere to the organized walk and wheel multiple day schedule i.e., planned date and time. They will also be provided the map of the route to follow through out the event. The event will also include litter less snacks, i.e., fruits and juice boxes etc. and raffle prizes and gift cards on the concluding event.
This group’s goals and objectives are easily identified, and their experience is outlined. It does not matter how much experience you have, but that you summarize it clearly.
Q: Tell us about your group. (200 words max.) What are your group’s goals, history, and key successes? How many members do you have? Does your group serve members of Black, Indigenous, or People of colour (BIPOC) communities? If so, please explain how.
A: We are a socially responsive and environmentally friendly group of residents. Our primary focus is on making our local park a welcoming, clean, accessible and safe green space for people of all walks of the community.
In the past, our group reached out to the local councilor’s office to voice the concerns of safe and environmentally friendly commute in the neighbourhood of seniors, adults, young students to the local library. Our group is collaborating with the Cycle Toronto advocacy group to build Visible Bike lanes in the neighbourhood.
We also secured Sparking Change Community Resilience Grant in 2021 to bring the community together to celebrate the festive season of Halloween and Diwali with each other despite of their nationality, language and age differences etc. We have over 50 members (BIPOC) including emerging MRG youth leaders (high school students) in the managing and planning committee.