HANDBOOK FOR THE INDIGENOUS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FUND
May 2017
(WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU APPLY)
Before completing an Indigenous Economic Development Fund (IEDF) application, please read
the entire Handbook.
Email or telephone enquiries about the IEDF may be directed to:
Tim Sim, Program Lead
Telephone: 416-314-7217
Email: [email protected]
Table of Contents
A. INTRODUCTION TO THE INDIGENOUS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FUND ............................ 3
A.1. BACKGROUND............................................................................................................ 3
A.2. OBJECTIVES ................................................................................................................ 3
A.3. IEDF Programs ............................................................................................................ 3
A.4. IEDF REQUIREMENTS.................................................................................................. 4
A.4.1 Contribution to Program Objectives ..................................................................... 5
A.4.2 Eligibility Criteria ................................................................................................. 5
A.4.3 Demonstrated Need............................................................................................. 5
A.4.4 Promising Projects ............................................................................................... 6
A.4.5 Value for Money .................................................................................................. 6
A.4.6 Sound Budget ...................................................................................................... 6
A.4.7 Compliance with Project Management Requirements .......................................... 7
A.4.8 Promoting Diversity ............................................................................................. 7
A.4.9 Environmental Considerations ............................................................................. 7
A.4.10 Promoting Partnerships ..................................................................................... 7
A.4.11 Promoting Procurement & Employment ............................................................. 8
A.4.12 Conflict of Interest ............................................................................................. 8
A.5. THE APPLICATION PROCESS ........................................................................................ 8
A.6. APPLICATION EVALUATION PROCESS.......................................................................... 9
A.7. MANAGING PROJECTS .............................................................................................. 10
A.7.1 Monitoring and Reporting .................................................................................. 10
A.7.2 Record Keeping .................................................................................................. 10
A.7.3 Acknowledgement ............................................................................................. 11
A.7.4 Procurement...................................................................................................... 12
A.7.5 Corrective Action ............................................................................................... 12
B. DISCLAIMER .................................................................................................................... 12
A. INTRODUCTION TO THE INDIGENOUS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FUND
A.1. BACKGROUND
The Indigenous Economic Development Fund (IEDF) is investing $95 million over ten years in Indigenous
businesses and communities. It is a program of the Jobs & Prosperity Fund, a 10-year, $2.5 billion fund
that helps Ontario compete to attract new business and form partnerships to secure investments that
focus on job-creating innovation, productivity and going global.
The IEDF is designed to break down economic barriers for Indigenous people across Ontario and close
the socio-economic gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people by improving access to
financing, training and planning supports.
The IEDF achieves this through three funding programs:
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Business and Community Fund Program
Economic Diversification Grant Program
Regional Partnership Grant Program
Eligible applicants may submit one application per Program per year.
The IEDF has a competitive application process and a limited number of awards.
A.2. OBJECTIVES
The IEDF is designed to provide support for business financing, skill development training and strategic
economic planning. The IEDF is intended to achieve the following objectives:
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Increase economic activity by promoting the diversification of Indigenous economies and
strategic planning.
Increase participation of Indigenous people in the labour market by improving access to jobs
and training opportunities.
Increase the success and competitiveness of Indigenous businesses by improving access to
financing for start-up and small- and medium-sized companies.
Promote partnerships in business, employment and community development.
A.3. IEDF PROGRAMS
Projects are funding through the following IEDF Programs:
Business & Community Fund Program
Promotes local economic development through grants for economic capacity-building and loans to
ensure viable business initiatives proceed when other sources of funding have been exhausted. This
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program intends to improve the ability of Indigenous entities to leverage other sources of funding for
promising business initiatives.
Economic Diversification Grant Program
Assists communities and organizations to identify new areas of economic opportunity. This is achieved
through supporting planning activities for promising economic opportunities within and around the
community. All initiatives funded must contribute to economic diversification, jobs, training and the
start-up or expansion of businesses.
Regional Partnership Grant Program
Support projects focused on improving access to business financing and accredited skills training
opportunities.
For more information on these programs refer to their individual guidelines or contact the Aboriginal
Financial Institution which delivers the Business and Community Fund Program to your area.
A.4. IEDF REQUIREMENTS
In order to be eligible for funding under the IEDF, a project must meet the following conditions:
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•
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Meet relevant eligibility criteria of the program;
Demonstrate a clear need for assistance to successfully deliver the project;
Demonstrate a market need and/or gap related to addressing barriers to economic
development;
Demonstrate high potential to provide jobs, training and business opportunities for Indigenous
people;
Demonstrate high potential to be sustainable;
Demonstrate acceptable value for money in terms of outputs and results;
Provide a detailed budget with eligible funding activities and, where applicable, verify match
funding from other public and/or private sources; and
Where appropriate and applicable, projects should also:
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•
•
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Increase participation of Indigenous people in the workforce; and/or
Facilitate access for Indigenous suppliers to procurement opportunities. (An Indigenous
supplier is an Indigenous-owned business that provides a product or service for an IEDF-funded
project).
Contribute towards demographic and economic diversity;
Have a positive environmental impact;
Contribute to building new partnerships and fostering positive relationships;
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Applications will be assessed on the above requirements. Each program may have additional
requirements, which are outlined in their application guides. These guides should be reviewed before
submitting an application.
IEDF requirements are explained in detail below. Information provided in this section should be
considered when applicants prepare their business case, project details and business plan.
A.4.1 Contribution to Program Objectives
Applicants must show how their project will meet one or more objectives of the IEDF and the relevant
program.
A.4.2 Eligibility Criteria
All projects must comply with eligibility requirements outlined in the application guides for each
program. Applicants should review the application guide for the program they are applying to for
funding.
For all programs, mandatory eligibility requirements include:
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Legal status of applicant (i.e., established by or under legislation, federally or provincially
incorporated, or a First Nation in the Province of Ontario).
Applicant is not in default of the terms and conditions of any grant or loan agreement with any
ministry or agency of the Government of Ontario.
Information provided in the application is true, correct and complete (as verified by an
authorized official).
All areas of the application form are completed, including work plans and budgets which
coincide with work plan activities.
A.4.3 Demonstrated Need
Generally, IEDF funding should not replace funding available through other provincial or federal sources.
IEDF funding should add value to existing provincial, national, local and private sector supports or
leverage funding from other sources. The goal is to ensure the success of promising projects with the
potential to deliver tangible benefits to Indigenous people and/or communities, including jobs, training
and business opportunities.
Projects must respond to a gap or barrier to Indigenous economic development, either at the local or
regional level. Gaps and barriers include the failure of the market to provide sufficient financing and
training to Indigenous people as well as the inability of existing public and private sector funders to
support projects contributing to jobs, training and business opportunities for Indigenous people.
Projects must demonstrate the need for government funding to address the identified gap and/or
market need.
Need and gaps might relate to:
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Barriers that prevent Indigenous businesses and entrepreneurs from accessing adequate
financing to develop a new product, service or process.
Barriers that prevent Indigenous businesses from bringing a promising product or service to
market.
Barriers that prevent a project from being fully funded.
Barriers to accessing on-reserve training leading to provincially-recognized qualifications.
Lack of supports to assist Indigenous communities’ strategic plans in a variety of sectors.
Additional information on demonstrating need is included in the application guides for each program.
A.4.4 Promising Projects
Applicants must show how projects will contribute to new and/or sustained jobs, training and business
opportunities for Indigenous people. High-potential or promising projects are those where there is a
reasonable anticipation of indirect or direct benefits to Indigenous people and/or communities, such as
meaningful jobs, training and business opportunities.
Where possible, projects should be linked to planned or existing economic development strategies or
projects. In these cases, applicants should demonstrate how IEDF funding will contribute to the success
of applicable strategies and/or projects.
A.4.5 Value for Money
A project must demonstrate value for money. Specifically, applicants must show that the project will
generate sufficient benefits (e.g., jobs, training, business opportunities) to justify the costs associated
with implementing the project.
Value for money is an important component in assessing whether or not to fund a project. As such any
costs should be necessary for achieving desired results of the project.
A.4.6 Sound Budget
A project must have a sound financial plan with a viable budget and eligible funding activities.
Where resources are shared with other projects and activities (e.g., office space, equipment and staff
resources), it is permissible to include these costs in the project budget. These overhead costs must be
allocated in a fair and transparent manner (e.g., using a flat rate or pro rata allocation) and linked
directly to project activities.
IEDF funding is designed to fill funding gaps for promising projects. As such budgets must show how
other sources of funding will support a project (i.e., match funding). For the purposes of the IEDF, match
funds may include any money from a government program, a First Nation, Métis or Inuit community or
Indigenous organization, a charitable organization, a private business, Economic Development
Corporations, co-operatives, financial institutions, and individual investors. Other sources of provincial
funding may be explored here: https://www.ontario.ca/page/business-and-economy.
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In-kind contributions are considered as match funding. The project budget must identify any in-kind
contributions, including the total cash value of donated goods, commodities or services provided for the
project at no cost. The contributions should be valued at the lesser of demonstrated fair market value or
actual cost to the donor.
Applicants are discouraged from incurring any costs for activities to be funded by the IEDF until an
application has been approved. Any expenses incurred prior to the agreed effective date or after the
agreed end date in the Funding Agreement will be ineligible.
A.4.7 Compliance with Project Management Requirements
Funding recipients must adhere to the compliance requirements outlined in A.7. in the use of IEDF
funding. As part of the evaluation process, applicants will be assessed as to whether they have the
capacity to deliver the project and understand all requirements and obligations. As such an application
must provide details on how a project will be managed and delivered. Funding recipients are required to
ensure any delivery partners also adhere to the compliance requirements.
A.4.8 Promoting Diversity
All projects should make reasonable efforts to promote equal opportunities to on- and off-reserve
Indigenous populations, where appropriate. Although the IEDF restricts certain activities to only eligible
Indigenous persons and organizations, projects must not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, sexual
orientation, religion or belief, or disability. All projects must also comply with provincial accessibility
requirements and regulations under the Ontario Human Rights Code and French Language Services Act.
For more information on these subjects, IEDF applicants are encouraged to visit the following site:
www.ontario.ca/accesson; http://www.ohrc.on.ca/en; http://csfontario.ca/en/.
A.4.9 Environmental Considerations
Where appropriate, applicants must make reasonable efforts to identify and consider potential
environmental impacts their project may have, including identifying positive environmental impacts and
how any negative impacts would be addressed, mitigated or avoided. Applicants must identify whether
their project will impact a protected area, such as a national or provincial park.
A.4.10 Promoting Partnerships
Applicants should consider partnerships in the delivery of projects in the same geographical area
involving the same purpose – funding, jobs, training and planning. Such partnerships often assist with
overcoming common operational challenges as well as pooling resources. Funding incentives are offered
to applicants who partner on a project in each program. Additional information is available in the guides
for each program.
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A.4.11 Promoting Procurement & Employment
Applicants will be assessed on how their projects promote jobs for Indigenous people and procurement
opportunities for Indigenous suppliers.
A.4.12 Conflict of Interest
A successful applicant shall carry out the project without an actual, potential or perceived conflict of
interest. A conflict of interest includes any circumstances where the applicant or any person who has
the capacity to influence the applicant’s decisions has outside commitments, relationships or financial
interests that could, or could be seen to interfere with the applicant’s objective, unbiased and impartial
judgment relating to the use of IEDF funds.
The applicant must disclose to the Ministry, without delay, any situation that a reasonable person would
interpret as either an actual, potential or perceived conflict of interest. The applicant must also comply
with any terms and conditions that the Ministry may prescribe as a result of the disclosure.
A.5. THE APPLICATION PROCESS
Eligible applicants must submit applications online through Grants Ontario at www.grants.gov.on.ca.
Grants Ontario is the Province of Ontario’s online application system for grant funding. It is important
that you understand the steps for registering with Grants Ontario prior to submitting your IEDF
application. Applicants using Grants Ontario for the first time must create a “ONe-key” account and be
enrolled in the Transfer Payment Common Registration system. If an applicant has previously submitted
an application for funding from other programs through Grants Ontario, a new ONe-key account is not
required, but you may be still be required to enroll in the Transfer Payment Common Registration
system. For more details regarding the ONe-key account, Transfer Payment Common Registration, or
Grants Ontario, please refer to the Grants Ontario registration web page.
Since applicants must register with Grants Ontario in order to access Economic Diversification Grant and
Regional Partnership Grant application forms, most of the information requested in the first few
sections of the application form (such as address, contact information, etc.) will be automatically filled in
using data from the registration process. Business and Community Fund application forms are available
directly from the appropriate Aboriginal Financial Institution delivering the Business and Community
Fund.
Please note that the ONe-key account is registered at the individual level and not the organization level.
If someone in your organization has an account that is used for a different grant application, an
individual account is still required if you are the one submitting the application.
Once an application has been started it may be saved or downloaded at any point and returned to later.
Please refer to the Grants Ontario System Reference Guide for Applicants for instructions on how to
save and submit the application.
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Technical questions regarding Grants Ontario may be directed to the Grants Ontario Customer Service
Line at [email protected] or by telephone at 416-325-6691 or 1-855-216-3090, Monday to
Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.
All applications will be assessed, evaluated and approved using requirements outlined in this handbook
and the application guides for the programs.
Applications must be made to a specific IEDF program and projects must comply with the eligibility
criteria of that program.
A.6. APPLICATION EVALUATION PROCESS
Applications for IEDF funding will undergo a two-stage review process:
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A preliminary assessment; and
A full assessment.
A preliminary assessment will be undertaken by the Ministry to ensure each application is complete. This
assessment will determine compliance and suitability with the IEDF. The Ministry will:
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Confirm eligibility and undertake background checks on applicants and partners to ensure
eligibility.
Undertake a risk assessment and financial review on applicants and partners to confirm that
they have the capacity to undertake and complete the proposed project.
Applicants will be informed in writing whether the application will/will not proceed to the full
assessment stage.
The Ministry may request additional information if an application is deemed incomplete. Applicants
must provide the requested documentation within the time provided or the application will be deemed
ineligible.
A full assessment involves a complete review of the project to determine if it fits with the criteria of the
funding program applied to. The review committee will assess each application using the criteria
outlined in Section 4 below and within the guides for each program. The review committee will also
consider:
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The business plan, including the project management approach and governance structure.
The business case, including overall need and demand for the project.
The anticipated results of the project within the proposed timeframe.
Applicant’s history on managing projects funded by the Government of Ontario.
Each applicant will be informed of the funding status of their application and provided with copies of the
Funding Agreement to sign. Applicants will be advised of any changes required to the project prior to
finalizing a Funding Agreement. Applicants of unsuccessful projects will be informed in writing and
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provided with a brief explanation as to why the project wasn’t funded. The applicant may request a
debrief on why their proposal was not approved.
A.7. MANAGING PROJECTS
Funding recipients must adhere to project management requirements when using IEDF funds. The
following section outlines how projects should be managed to ensure compliance.
A.7.1 Monitoring and Reporting
Funding recipients are legally responsible for ensuring the delivery of the approved project. Funding
recipients must provide any financial reports and other documentation as requested by the Ministry and
as outlined in the Funding Agreement.
Compliance may be checked at any point during the life of the project by the Ministry. Checks may also
be undertaken after project completion. Checks may include the review of financial information and
other documentation related to the project. During the life of a project, a funding recipient can expect
at minimum the submission of annual activity and financial reports to the Ministry. Reporting
requirements for these reports will be outlined in the Funding Agreement.
A final report is required at the end of the project. The final report includes audited financial information
on the use of funds as well as information on outputs and results of the project, as outlined in the
Funding Agreement. Reporting requirements for the final report are outlined in the Funding Agreement.
The Ministry is responsible for analyzing reports for accuracy and eligibility of expenditures. During the
review of any reports or visits, the Ministry will verify that expenditures and outputs are eligible and
compliant with the IEDF. Funding recipients may be asked to provide copies of invoices or other
documentation for any expenditure item.
A.7.2 Record Keeping
The Ministry may request documentation as part of its reporting and monitoring processes. Funding
recipients must maintain records to support expenditures and prove compliance with the IEDF.
For joint projects the Funding Recipient is responsible for maintaining an accurate audit trail and
ensuring that all delivery partners maintain adequate records.
Examples of documentation that should be maintained include:
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•
•
Documents related to work carried out during project development, the application process,
and during and after the project.
Any invoices and bank statements to show payments were made for work done.
Records of eligible beneficiaries and the steps taken to determine their eligibility, including
proof that a beneficiary is eligible.
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•
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Evidence of match funding, such as copies of funding acceptance letters and bank statements
showing receipt of match funding.
Copies of all promotional and publicity materials, including press releases and marketing to
demonstrate the correct use of the IEDF identifier logo and any required text.
The Funding Agreement including any amendments.
Correspondence between the Ministry and the funding recipient.
Claim forms for IEDF-related expenditures and financial reports
Documentation showing how IEDF-related expenditures were calculated, including any flat rate
and pro rata methodologies for indirect overhead costs and salaries allocated to the project.
Documentation related to any procurement undertaken for the IEDF project, such as proof of
invitation to suppliers to bid or advertising of procurement opportunities, procurement
submissions received from suppliers and the scoring methodology used for selecting a supplier.
Documentation and evidence related to any claims made on results of an IEDF-funded project,
such as evidence of the number of jobs created as a result of support from the IEDF.
A.7.3 Acknowledgement
Support through the IEDF must be acknowledged through all stages of a project’s life. The
acknowledgement requirements are outlined below as well as in the Funding Agreement.
All printed and electronic documents and publications produced in relation to IEDF-funded projects
must acknowledge and reference the IEDF. Documents must display the IEDF identifier provided by the
Ministry in a prominent position. Where applicable, the IEDF identifier and any related text must be
included in promotional material, media releases, job and procurement advertisements, reports,
application forms for beneficiaries and funding agreements with beneficiaries. The identifier must
appear on the homepage for project-specific websites and on relevant pages within the funding
recipient’s website. If it is not possible to display the IEDF identifier on materials due to space and size
restrictions, a text reference
indicating the support
Funding recipients must use the following text for project-related media
received should be used.
releases:
The Ministry will assist
The [INSERT NAME] project is funded by the [INSERT NAME OF
funding recipients in the
PROGRAM] of the Indigenous Economic Development Fund. An
development of promotional
initiative of the Government of Ontario, the Indigenous Economic
material, announcements or
Development Fund supports promising projects that lead to
employment, training and business opportunities for Indigenous
media releases, as needed.
people.
Quotes to show the support
for the project from the
Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation may also be available for media releases or other
publicity. Funding recipients should contact the Ministry for quotes.
Any conference, seminar, exhibition or event related to an IEDF-funded project should promote the
support of the IEDF. Materials and documents produced for the event must acknowledge and reference
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funding and include the IEDF identifier. Funding recipients may contact the Ministry to inquire about the
attendance of the Minister or a representative from the Ministry for the event.
For media interviews related to an IEDF-funded project for print, radio, television or other media, as well
as any advertisement to promote the project, reference should be made to the IEDF and the support
provided.
A.7.4 Procurement
Funding recipients are encouraged to select suppliers of goods and services through an open and
transparent tendering process. Value for money must be sought when purchasing any good or service.
Funding recipients are encouraged to promote the participation of Indigenous suppliers in their projects.
Funding recipients may accomplish this through the use of evaluation criteria or competitive processes
involving eligible Indigenous suppliers (i.e., a “set aside”). A “set aside” competition is a procurement
process for only Indigenous suppliers and should only be undertaken when sufficient capacity exists
among suppliers to successfully deliver procurement requirements, as determined by the funding
recipient.
A.7.5 Corrective Action
When a project is found to be non-compliant with IEDF requirements, the Ministry may take action in
accordance with the Funding Agreement. This may include requiring funding recipients to take
corrective action to resolve any breach in funding conditions, poor management, or inadequate control
of the project.
B. DISCLAIMER
Applicants should note that:
• Consideration of an application by the Ministry does not guarantee funding. Funding is
dependent on the availability of funds, the Ministry’s review of the application, and on the
recipient’s entering into a Funding Agreement.
• Funds received in a given funding year may only be spent on eligible activities carried out during
that funding year and specified in the budget and work plan as approved schedules of the
Funding Agreement.
• All projects must comply with relevant Canadian and Ontario laws, regulations, standards and
policies.
• All applications submitted to the Ministry are subject to the access to information provisions of
the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (the “Act”). The Act provides all
persons with a legal right of access to information in the custody and/or control of the Ministry,
subject to a limited set of exemptions. One such exemption is information that reveals a trade
secret or scientific, technical, commercial, financial or labour relations information supplied in
confidence, where disclosure could reasonably be expected to result in certain harms. If an
applicant believes that any of the information it submits in connection with its application is
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confidential and wishes to protect the confidentiality of such information, the applicant should
clearly mark the information “confidential.” If the Ministry receives a request for access to the
information marked “confidential”, the Ministry will contact the applicant so that it may, if it
wishes, make representations concerning the release of the requested information. Marking the
information “confidential” does not mean that the information will not be released if and as
required under the Act.
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