The Law Foundation of Ontario recently launched two new granting opportunities to enhance legal services for rural residents and the role of trusted intermediaries. Both calls are for one-time project funding and both are open to nonprofit organizations that work to improve access to justice for the people of Ontario.
1. Trusted help
The Foundation recently commissioned research to gain a better understanding of the role of community-based frontline workers or ‘trusted intermediaries’ who help people with legal problems. The purpose of the Trusted help granting is to encourage action on the research by funding initiatives that help address and apply the findings of the Trusted Help research.
Funded projects will focus on learning and improvement of the role of trusted intermediaries in providing legal help, with a focus on: building the capacity of trusted intermediaries through training, tools, and technology; evaluation to better understand the most effective models for the legal and community sectors and for the end-clients; and integration and collaboration between the legal and community sectors.
Eligibility: Nonprofit organizations who benefit the people of Ontario
Grant amount: Up to $100,000
Deadlines: Letter of Intent – October 1, 2018
Criteria and application process: Visit the Trusted help granting webpage for details.
2. Connecting rural regions
People living in rural areas face unique challenges when they need to access legal information and services. The purpose of the Connecting rural regions granting is to act on the findings of the newly released Connecting Region evaluation report and has the ultimate goal of enhancing and expanding access to legal information and help for the residents of rural communities in Ontario.
Funded projects will coordinate and integrate legal information, services, and referrals in rural settings in Ontario.
Eligibility: Nonprofit organizations working within a rural community in Ontario. Nonprofits must have confirmed participation of at least one legal organization in the project and the proposed project must include at least two additional nonprofit social, community, and/or legal service providers in the project.
Grant amount: Stage 1 funding, projects up to 12 months – up to $100,000
Stage 2 funding, projects up to three years – up to $250,000
Deadline: Stage 1 application deadline – November 1, 2018
Criteria and application process: Visit the Connecting rural regions webpage for details.
photo credit: Paul B0udreau A Moot Had Been Called via photopin (license)
