A : In February 2020, Park People will host webinars to answer any questions about the grant and application process. Please sign up to receive our newsletter for updates on when these webinars are taking place. If you have more detailed questions, please join us for these events.
If you are unable to join us for those webinars, please email your questions to boursestdppgrants@parkpeople.ca and a Park People staff member will be more than happy to answer them. For questions about starting your own park group please check out our “How to Start a Park Group” page on the Park People website.
2. How are decisions made?
A: Decisions will be made by a team of reviewers comprised of Park People staff in consultation with TD and our local community partners from each municipality.
Applications will be based on the following criteria:
While meeting any or all of these criteria will not guarantee that your group will be awarded a grant, these are some of the qualities that we are looking for in each application.
A: Park People defines parks and green spaces as public spaces readily accessible to the public. Examples of parks or green spaces include city parks, social housing property, school grounds and other urban green spaces that are publicly accessible. Private property or green spaces that are not open to the public are not eligible for the grant; however, if you have questions about your park or green space, please get in touch with us to confirm eligibility.
A: Your group can link to an environmental focus in many ways, whether through environmental education, a commitment to sustainability practices, or stewardship activities. You can help to raise awareness on environmental issues, such as climate change, or teach your community about the local environment by hosting a nature walk. Your group can demonstrate an environmental focus by committing to sustainability practices; for example, by ensuring your event is zero-waste or hosting a bike repair clinic or clothing swap. Stewardship activities could include park cleanups, planting and gardening, invasive species removal, and other projects that enhance your local green space. We encourage you to get creative and think outside the box!
A: Each municipality has a different process for obtaining permits and insurance requirements for different events. Before applying to the TD Park People Grant, we strongly suggest that you review the insurance requirements and park permit application process for your city to ensure that your events comply with their regulations. If you have questions on how to obtain insurance for your event or insurance rates, please contact the parks department of your municipality for more information. Many municipalities offer event insurance or can direct you to an insurance provider. Check out if your group falls within the geographic granting area in question #15 of the FAQ
A: The 10-question application form should take about 30 minutes to complete once you’ve planned out your events. Here is a preview of the questions:
To access the application form, register your group with the Park People network, or log in to your existing account.
To access the application form, register with the Park People network or login using your existing username and password.
A: Applications are due March 2, 2020, at 11:59 pm EST by email to boursestdppgrants@parkpeople.ca.
A: Successful applicants will be notified in early April 2020. We will be providing feedback opportunities for applicants after this time as well.
A: You can print off the signature page, sign it, scan and send it back to us as a separate document.
A: Mais oui! Find our French application and eligibility requirements here.
A: Yes, grassroots community groups and small community-based organizations are eligible. Community groups interested in applying to the grant are not required to have a trustee or have charitable status. In the case of smaller or newly formed groups who do not have event planning experience, we strongly suggest collaborating with a local organization that does. Grassroots community groups representing diverse communities or neighborhoods are especially encouraged to apply.
A: No. You do not need non-profit or charitable status to apply. Informal grassroots groups are welcome to apply.
A: Yes. We encourage new groups to apply and we encourage partnerships with other organizations who can provide support for your events
A: Yes. BIA’s are eligible to apply for the grant so long as the events meet the eligibility criteria outlined in the guidelines section of the grants page
A: No, municipalities are not eligible to apply for a TD Park People Grant. The grant is aimed at grassroots community groups that include, but are not limited to: volunteer-based park groups, local agencies, resident associations, and not-for-profit groups active in their local parks. However, partnerships between any or all of the above and a municipality will be accepted, as long as the application is submitted by the group, not the municipality.
A: If you are not sure if your group falls within the program’s geographic granting areas, please check out the maps linked below, or email us at boursestdppgrants@parkpeople.ca.
A: Only groups based in the selected nine areas are eligible to apply. We hope to expand the program in the future to include more cities across Canada. To keep up to date with changes to the TD Park People Grant program or other funding opportunities, sign up for our newsletter or join the Park People Network.
A: Yes. However, we would like to support as many new community groups as possible, so in cases of comparable applications, preference will be given to applicants who have not previously received a grant. If you did receive a previous TD Park People Grant, we will be looking for new ideas and events than what was previously funded.
A: Yes. The three events can be held in multiple locations in the city, or in the same location.
A: You are welcome to focus your event theme or outreach efforts in specific communities as long as the event remains open to everyone.
A: It would count as three events. Remember that one event must take place on June 20, 2020.
A: One of your three events must take place on June 20, 2020 (the first day of summer when we’ll be celebrating a “park day” across the country) You can select dates for the other two events. We’ve chosen the first day of summer to promote Park Day, where all 92 TD Park People Grantees will celebrate vibrant parks. The day will be promoted through Park People social media channels and through a media relations effort.
A: This grant was created to support community led groups animate their local city parks through new or existing parks programming, so groups can apply for programming that they are currently running or a combination of new and old events, or all new events. But remember that one of the three events does need to take place on June 20th
A: Yes.
A: 92 grants in total across the nine geographic areas.
A: Yes! Money received from this grant can be combined with other sources of funding.
A: If successful, you will receive $2000 in total, to be spread across your three events.
A: Cheques for the events will be mailed to successful applicants in early May.
A. Yes. Receiving TD Friends of the Environment Foundation Grants does not make a group ineligible for TD Park People grants, however, the scope of the grants are different. The TD Park People Grants are intended for grassroots community groups that include, but are not limited to, volunteer-based park groups, local agencies, resident associations, not-for-profit groups active in their local parks. For more information about TD FEF Grants, click here.
