October 15, 2020
Ongoing support and flexibility for grantees
Since March, The Law Foundation of Ontario has been working closely with our grantees to help them manage their existing grants with us. We remain impressed and inspired by their dedication and resourcefulness as they creatively adapt their programs in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
We have supported their efforts by offering flexibility in the use of their grant funds and the timing of their projects where needed. As the pandemic continues to affect all of our lives in unprecedented and unpredictable ways, this flexibility will continue.
Our Grants Officers have connected with Foundation grantees who have an open grant with us. By now, all grantees who have requested a grant modification should have an approved direction on their grant’s activities and use of funds. Grantees who have not connected with their Grants Officer should do so as soon as possible.
Our standard practice for requesting modifications to a grant remains in place. Grantees who are considering changes outside of the approved use of grant funds are to contact their Grants Officer before implementing any changes. Grantees should contact their Grants Officer if they are not sure if the modification they are considering fits within the approved use.
July 15, 2020 (updated July 22, 2020)
Use of grant funds flexibility extension
As a follow-up to our important March 31 notice to grantees with existing approved grants, the Foundation will continue to support flexibility in the use of grant funds.
Based on grantees’ June 30 COVID-19 related activity updates, grantees who have connected with their Grants Officer are to follow the Grants Officer’s approved direction on the grant’s activities and use of funds. Grantees who have not connected with their Grants Officer or submitted their update should do so ASAP. Lastly, grantees who have new modification requests that have come after or outside of the approved use of grant funds, should reconnect with their Grants Officer.
Outside of an approved plan in place, the Foundation will continue, until September 30, 2020, to support the use of grant funds for the activities outlined in the initial grant application, modified activities related to the objectives outlined in the original grant application, or for the kinds of costs, outlined in the approved budget, which are reasonably incurred to maintain the organization’s ability to continue with the grant activities once more normal conditions return. Organizations that require a payment at or prior to that date should provide a report using the same criteria for the purpose of requesting payment.
March 31, 2020
Economic consequences on The Law Foundation of Ontario
The economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic have affected the Foundation's financial position. As you may know, the Foundation's revenue is based on the interest on lawyers' and paralegals' mixed trust accounts. In 2020, there has been a 150 basis point reduction in interest rates. More may be to come. In addition, reduced economic activity may lead to reduced balances. Even while focusing on immediate needs and circumstances, the Foundation takes a long-term approach to its decisions. In our granting, we have tried to maintain backup funds designed to support granting through periods of low revenue.
Important message for our grantees with existing, approved grants
As we all find ourselves in an unprecedented situation dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic and the continuing fallout, our focus is on the immediate impact. We are providing this important notice to grantees with existing approved grants from The Law Foundation of Ontario. We want our existing grantees to know how they can use grant monies they already have and reporting and payment information in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Please read the full message here: Message to Foundation grantees with existing, approved grants. (Le message en français est ici.)
March 30, 2020
Deadline extended: Measuring Impacts and Progress Call for Applications
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 Measuring Impacts and Progress Call for Applications deadline has been extended to June 30, 5:00 p.m. EST. If you have any questions, please email Lili Pach at lpach@lawfoundation.on.ca. Visit the 2020 Measuring Impacts and Progress Call for Applications webpage for full details and the application form.
Present and future granting calls and decisions
The Foundation still has open calls for applications and there may be further opportunities in the future. In some cases, the Foundation has extended the application deadlines for granting programs. Given current circumstances, there may be delays in consideration of applications once received. Information about any possible delays will be communicated directly with applicants. If you have a question about your current grant application, please email the contact listed within the call for applications material.
March 23, 2020
Deadline extended: Responsive Call for Applications
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Responsive Call for Applications deadline has been extended to April 15, 5:00 p.m. EST. If you do not require an extension, please submit your application any time before April 15. If you have any questions, please email your Grants Officer (if you have one) or email grants@lawfoundation.on.ca. Visit the Responsive Call for Applications webpage for full details and the application form.
March 17, 2020
Office closure
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, The Law Foundation of Ontario has closed our office space until further notice. We are still operating and staff are available to respond to your questions during normal business hours. To contact a staff member, please use email. Staff are working remotely and are not in the office to answer phone calls.
We are not holding face-to-face meetings at this time. If you have an in-person meeting scheduled with one of our staff members, please email them directly to reschedule. (Our staff directory is here: https://lawfoundation.on.ca/about-us/our-people/)
Questions about a grant
If you have a question about your grant or about applying for a grant, please email your Grants Officer or send an email to one of these grant-specific addresses:
- Access to Justice Fund
- Measuring Impacts and Progress
- Community Leadership in Justice Fellowship
- Responsive, and all other: tau@lawfoundation.on.ca or grants@lawfoundation.on.ca
For other inquiries:
General inquiries
Guthrie Award nominations
Mixed trust reporting inquiries: sbeckett@lawfoundation.on.ca or mixedtrust@lawfoundation.on.ca
Cy-près award inquiries
For inquiries in French
