Imagine communities without nonprofits and charities – no summer camps, no minor softball or soccer clubs, no museums, art galleries or theatres, mental health services, women’s shelters, immigrant services, community health centres, food banks, nonprofit housing. Every Ontarian has benefitted from at least one service or program of a nonprofit or charity.

Yet, the sector is at a precarious tipping point. The Ontario Nonprofit Network (ONN) estimates the sector’s economic losses are in the range of $1.8 billion in just the first three months since emergency closures. The ONN is recommending the Ontario government create a stabilization fund of $680 million for the nonprofit sector to ensure that nonprofits and charities can help rebuild the economy and communities. This funding can come via the unallocated portion of the $3.7 billion set aside for “Supporting People and Jobs” in Ontario’s COVID-19 Action Plan, through a simple application process administered by the Ontario Trillium Foundation. The also recommend the Ontario government create a nonprofit advisory table to inform the Cabinet committee on the economic recovery.

Read their full proposal here.