Support & resources

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Ontario Power Generation's (OPG) Power for Change Project was designed to be simple and reduce the burden on you so you can focus on making a difference.

Explore the many resources available to you, including funding and evaluation criteria, tips for optimizing your application, and frequently asked questions.

Eligibility criteria

Before you begin the application process, please check the eligibility criteria to ensure you qualify for one of our grants. 

  1. Your organization is a registered Canadian charity, not-for-profit, or qualified donee. Definition of qualified donee can be found here.
  2. We provide funding for Indigenous organizations that are a registered charity or non-profit, non-registered charity, or non-profit, a Band Program or Community Group. We encourage applications that support one or more of our focus areas and OPG will also remain committed to open, flexible funding dependent on community priorities.
  3. Your project, program, or event is focused on one or more of the focus funding areas, has measurable positive outcomes, and demonstrates filling a need or demand connected to the focus funding areas.
  4. Your project, program, or event is based in an area, or has a connection to where OPG operates in Ontario. For the Province-Wide Empowerment Grants program, the benefit can be province-wide but must include supporting the areas where we operate. 
  5. Priority will be given to projects, programs and events that demonstrate one or more of the following: a clear commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, a commitment to safety, a commitment to advancing Indigenous Reconciliation actions
  6. Priority will be given to projects, programs and events with a mandate to support equity-seeking populations (Indigenous, women, racialized people, people with disabilities, 2SLGBTQ+) and additional considerations will be given to organizations who are led by or include equity-seeking populations in their highest operational level
  1. Your organization is a registered Canadian charity, not-for-profit, or qualified donee. Definition of qualified donee can be found here.
  2. We provide funding for Indigenous organizations that are a registered charity or non-profit, non-registered charity or non-profit, a Band Program or Community Group.
  3. We encourage applications that support one or more of our focus areas and OPG will also remain committed to open, flexible funding dependent on community priorities.
  4. Your event is open to the public, inclusive, and has wide appeal/reach.
  5. Your event is based in an area where OPG operates in Ontario.
  6. Your event is aligned with one or more of the funding focus areas.
  7. Your event addresses a community need and provides economic and social impact to the community served.
  8. There are planned, measured outcomes and metrics that can be shared with OPG after your event.
  9. Priority will be given to events where there is an educational component tied to one or more of our focus areas or provides an activation/opportunity to engage and educate attendees.
  10. Priority will be given to events that demonstrate one or more of the following: a clear commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, a commitment to safety, a commitment to advancing Indigenous Reconciliation actions.
  1. Funding requests for Individuals.
  2. Funding requests for Sports teams.
  3. Funding requests for religious organizations unless the program being funded:
    • is open to all, regardless of religion, sex, age, race, national or ethnic backgrounds, sexual orientation, values, gender identity or expression, marital status, family status.
    • will not incorporate religious teachings or participation in religious services.
  4. Political organizations, including political parties, election campaigns, advocacy or lobby groups where your main/core work is advancing public policy or politics.
  5. Organizations with values, policies, or practices that are in conflict with OPG values and mission. 
  6. Organizations that discriminate based on sex, age, race, national or ethnic backgrounds, religion, sexual orientation, values, religious beliefs, gender identity or expression, marital status, family status, religious organization, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.
  7. Sponsorship of fundraising and other events that are closed to the general public (e.g. golf tournaments) and/or for political events.
  8. Retroactive funding.
  9. Travel, trips, and tours including subsidized travel, accommodation and entertainment expenses for groups, teams, or individuals. Will support travel related expenses if it is a part of program delivery.
  10. Sponsorships must not support alcohol or cannabis consumption or sales.

Evaluation criteria

Transparency is core to who we are as a company. Each application will be reviewed by a diverse group of subject matter experts and local community staff and rated on a points-based scale. As you go through the application process, we encourage you to review and understand the evaluation criteria. 

  1. Your application meets all of our criteria listed.
  2. Whether your project, program or event is directly aligned with one or more of our focused funding pillars.
  3. Whether your organization can measure and demonstrate clear positive outcomes.
  4. Whether your project, program or event demonstrates one or more of the following: a clear commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, a commitment to safety, a commitment to advancing Indigenous Reconciliation actions.
  5. Whether your project, program or event demonstrates support for equity-seeking populations  (Indigenous, women, racialized people, people with disabilities, 2SLGBTQ+) and if your organization is led by or include equity-seeking populations in their highest operational level.
  6. If your request is a sponsorship, whether your event has an educational component tied to one or more of our focus areas or provides an activation/opportunity to engage and educate attendees.

Application tips

  1. Review the eligibility criteria – let’s make sure there is a good fit between our organizations.
  2. Demonstrate how you collaborate with others in your sector – learning from and sharing knowledge within your sector demonstrates a commitment to innovation and excellence, which OPG values.
  3. Show how your project, program, or event will fill a demonstrable need connected to one or more of our focused funding pillars.
  4. Demonstrate a commitment to one or more of our funding lenses (Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, Safety, Advancing Indigenous Reconciliation) to prioritize your funding application.
  5. Priority will also be given to projects, programs, and events with a mandate to support equity-seeking populations  (Indigenous, women, racialized people, people with disabilities, 2SLGBTQ+)
  6. Connect with us if you have questions about applying or have an idea for a project or event that you’d like to discuss before submitting your application.
  7. Allow enough time for your application to be reviewed and processed - it can take up to 6-8 weeks for internal reviews, processing, and funds disbursement.
  8. If you have multiple projects, programs, or events, we ask you to combine your requests into a single application – this helps us allocate our budgets accordingly and reduces administration and service fees for your organization and OPG.

FAQs

We've compiled a list of commonly asked questions about the Power for Change Project.  Should you require additional support, please contact us. 

To help ensure diversity, inclusivity, and knowledge expertise, a team of OPG staff thoroughly reviews and scores all applications on an ongoing basis. Those applications with the highest scores are selected and approved for funding. Please allow 6-8 weeks for internal reviews, processing, and funds disbursement.

We encourage applicants to submit all questions via our Contact Us form found at the bottom of this page. All form submissions are reviewed daily, and we do our best to respond within 48 hours of receipt. 

Yes, our application forms are on a grant platform called Benevity, and information is saved as you go, so you can return to your application form at a later time.

You can also share, collaborate, and export the application form through the “Actions” button at the top of the application page.

You cannot edit your application once it’s submitted.

To view it after submitting, make sure to save and export a copy through the “Actions” button at the top of the application page before you submit.

You will receive an automated email confirming we’ve received your application, usually within 5 minutes of submitting your application.

We do our best to review applications as quickly as possible, but it can take up to 6-8 weeks to complete the review, notify a decision, and if approved, disburse the funds.

If we require additional information, more time could be required to complete the review and disbursement process. We encourage all applicants to plan their submission timing accordingly so you receive funds when needed. 

Yes, you can reapply.

We’d be happy to help. We encourage applicants to submit all questions via our Contact Us form found at the bottom of this page. All form submissions are reviewed daily, and we do our best to respond within 48 hours of receipt. 

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