Outreach Support Fund

The Outreach Support Fund provides funding for projects which advance social change, focus on the removal of inequities and empower marginalized groups.

Projects recently funded include:

• Women in Peace Network, Zorzor District, Liberia: Cotton Planting project. The Women in Peace Network  is composed of women from Zorzor and Salayea who conduct regular prayer meetings to help reduce the trauma of war. It has established a cotton planting initiative as an income-generating and empowerment project.                                        

• Fraternidad de Presbiteriales Mayas (FPM): Rabbit Husbandry project. Guatemala endured heavy rains in 2010 resulting in the loss of animals and field crops for many families. Through this initiative, eight women will receive 4 pairs of rabbits and related eqipment. The project will improve the nutrition, well-being and capacity of the women to sustain themselves.
•  Canadian Friends Service Committee: DVD on the UN Declaration of Indigenous Rights. This DVD is being prepared by an adhoc group, including human rights and Indigenous organizations. The purpose of the DVD is to explain the UN Declaratrion on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and is meant to be used in workshops in Indigenous communities throughout Canada.
• FCJ Reugee Centre. This refugee centre serves refugees and others at risk due to their refugee status by providing advice, counsel and support about the refugee process and related matters. The centre also provides temporary housing for women and children refugee claimants along with refugee settlement services.
• Ecumenical Institute for the Empowerment of Dalits: Skills Training Program. This is a program for people belonging to the Dalit caste in the Safai Karmachari communities in India. It will provide a basic course in beauty management and tailoring. The training will allow participants to find jobs or join advanced courses with an aim to improving their living standards.

• Cordillera Peoples Alliance: MAQUITACDG assembly. MAQUITACDG is an assembly being convened to address issues relating to the operation of the Lepanto Consolidated Mining Company, which is causing waste and tailings to be dumped into the Abra River, the most extensive river system in the Philippines. Dumping in the river has caused serious problems for the communities along the river, such as decreased agricultural yield, deterioration of riparian life, etc.
• Just Earth Coalition: Town Hall Meeting. This meeting is intended to increase community awareness of the need for immediate measures that will mitigate climate change.
• Rebecca Garrett Videographer: Video depicting an Indigenous Rights march that occurred on the eve of the G8/G20 summit. The video will be used tp promote solidarity among social justice and faith communities.

Fund Objectives

• To fulfill the calling of the United Church of Canada as expressed in its Creed to demonstrate commitment to the "love, justice and freedom of Jesus Christ" of the TSP Mission Statement and to support advocacy for and struggle by powerless amd marginalized groups.
• To help build community in the wider world, firmly based on the values of the Gospel.
• To nurture hope, both in ourselves and in those with whom we share our resources.
• To raise awareness of justice concerns in the congregation.

Evaluation Criteria

• The applicant's acceptance and/or respect for the objectives stated above.
• The applicant's commitment to carry out a program which advances social change, focuses on the amelioration/removal of inequities existing in the local, national and global community, empowers marginalized groups and strives to correct systemic inequities/problems.
• The funding awards in a given year will be divided approximately one third for global projects/programs and two thirds for local.
• Normally, multi-year grants may be made for up to three years. However, where the applicant's association with TSP is strong, and the project objectives closely aligned with those of TSP, this time could be extended.
• Applications must be supported by a TSP member(s).
• In accordance with the strategic plan approved for the period 2009 -2014, we will focus our public witness in the areas of housing/homelessness, aboriginal justice, peace making and climate justice.         

Application  Procedures

• TSP members are invited to recommend and endorse applicants whose projects / acitvities they are well aware of, and whose programs/projects are in keeping with the Objectives stated above in section 1. If the project is funded, the TSP contact will report on the project to the congregation.
• Applicants are required to submit in writing a project/program proposal, outlining its nature, scope, the budget, the anticipated results, and whether other sources of funds are being sought.
• Primary distribution of the amount available in the Outreach Fund will be made by the end of October , based on the applications received  by September 10, 2010.
• Up to $1000 is available each year for emergency requests that are received prior to the fall allocations.
• An amount determined by the Public Witness Circle will be reserved for use by pastoral staff for emergency assistance to individuals.
• Funding recipients are required to submit a report on the allocation of funds at the end of the project or program year (or accompanying a renewal application). The TSP contact will be responsible for ensuring that this is forthcoming.
• Successful applicants for the Outreach Fund who do not have a charitable registration number will be required to sign an agency agreement with Trinity-St. Paul's.
• Once funding decisions have been made and publicized, congregational members will be advised of the opportunity to make additional contributions to a particular project.