This afternoon, Tuesday, October 29, the Mayor presented his proposed 2025 budget adjustment to the City's 2024-27 Multi-Year Budget. Following Council's earlier direction, the Mayor is proposing to reduce funding available through the City's Community Grants program by at least half, to a maximum of just $250,000 per year in 2025, 2026, and 2027 from the $500,000 originally budgeted. This involves reductions to the Capital Grants stream, Innovation stream, and Grassroots Grants stream that help to fund community infrastructure, new solutions, and equity-deserving communities experiencing barriers to other funding. It also involves reducing these streams to zero from property taxes and only issuing the remaining funding provided the Community Investment Reserve Fund has a minimum remaining balance of $1M each year.
The risks to area nonprofits and communities are clear in the language of the proposed budget adjustment itself.
"In recent years London’s not-for-profit sector has reported increased demand for services, increased costs to deliver services, and decreased fundraising opportunities. Council confirmed that not-for-profit agencies are key partners in delivering vital services and opportunities to the residents of London through several strategies in its strategic plan...."The City of London Community Grants program is the primary funding opportunity available to realize the commitments made to not-for-profit partners within Council’s Strategic Plan. Should this budget amendment be approved, the ability to achieve these strategies will be reduced, and potentially eliminated. In addition, not-for-profit organizations will be at risk of experiencing further challenges with this funding opportunity reduced."
Pillar will be working to persuade Councillors to amend the Mayor's budget to restore these streams to at least the levels promised in the Multi-Year Budget. Watch your inbox for ways you can join in this debate.
In the meantime, there are a number of ways you can learn more about the Mayor's budget, the 2025 Budget adjustment, and the work of the Budget Committee.
The City's Budget Team is putting on a virtual information session with Q&A, Wednesday, November 13, 12pm. Register here.
The Budget Team is also “popping up” to offer in-person information sessions at various locations across the city, including at
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Covent Garden Market, 130 King St, Saturday, November 2, 10am-12pm
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Canada Games Aquatic Centre, 1045 Wonderland Rd N, Monday, November 4, 9-11am
- Westminster Ponds Centre, 944 Western Counties Road (with London Environmental Network), Monday, November 4, 3-4:30pm
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Stoney Creek Community Centre, 920 Sunningdale Rd E, Wednesday, November 6, 4-6pm
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East Lion’s Community Centre, 1731 Churchill Ave, Tuesday, November 12, 9-11am
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StarTech.com Community Centre, 501 Southdale Rd W, Thursday, November 14, 5-7pm
To contribute feedback:
The City is conducting an online survey to solicit feedback on budget amendments. Results will be provided to the budget committee prior to the start of their deliberations.
You can also contact your City Councillor with your feedback and concerns. Click here to learn who your Councillor is, the ward your neighbourhood is located in, and your Councillor's contact information.
Article type:
News
News Topic:
Advocacy and Awareness
ChangeTheWorld
Grants and Funding
Leadership
Nonprofit Sector Development