Ontario Trillium Foundation announces first-ever Future Fund grant recipients

$2 million grant program will strengthen Ontario's environment sector by fostering innovation and collaboration

Recipients represent collaborations of almost 100 participating organizations

TORONTO - The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) today announced the first five recipients of the Future Fund, a grant program created to enhance the future of Ontario communities.

"The McGuinty Government is pleased to celebrate Earth Week by announcing the recipients of the inaugural Ontario Trillium Foundation Future Fund," said Aileen Carroll, Ontario Minister of Culture. "By strengthening the environment sector with this $2 million fund we are improving the health of our communities today, and investing in a greener future for all Ontarians."

The 2007-2008 Future Fund of $2 million supports collaborative partnerships among not-for-profit organizations working on environment issues, strengthens their impact, enhances leadership and builds capacity within the sector.

"We commend the Ontario Trillium Foundation for their leadership in supporting the growth and effectiveness of the environment sector in this province," said John Gerretsen, Minister of the Environment. "We are particularly impressed with the spirit of collaboration among established organizations who can share their expertise with smaller, local groups."

The five recipient organizations, representing almost 100 participating Ontario-based non-profit environmental organizations, were honoured during a media event held at Toronto's Allan Gardens Conservatory and attended by Ontario's Ministers of Culture and the Environment (a full listing of the recipients is attached). Highlights of this year's recipient programs include: <<

- Studying links between early environmental exposure and chronic disease in children;

- Reducing pollution and strengthening leadership in communities, organizations and First Nations groups;

- Creating a North-South Climate Change Network;

- Optimizing the use of information technology among environmental groups;

- Engaging a broad range of environmental organizations in a shared strategy. >>

"This year's Future Fund will invest in organizations who partner in new and innovative ways, share their knowledge and create exciting new initiatives," said Helen Burstyn, Chair of Ontario Trillium Foundation. "Ultimately, our aim is for these organizations to achieve sound environment outcomes, thereby enhancing the future of our communities," adds Burstyn.

"We are very proud to be Ontario's biggest funder in the not-for-profit environment sector. That's why helping these organizations grow and have more of an impact in their communities is imperative," says Burstyn. "Our future health requires a thriving and vibrant environment sector to deliver programs, educate and create awareness on environment issues, and explore new ways to protect our resources."