New Ottawa Sustainability Fund

Planning and Environment Committee approved on its consent agenda today the creation of an Ottawa Sustainability Fund. This was a proposal from the Environmental Advisory Committee.

The Fund would be an "Advised Fund" within the Community Foundation of Ottawa. The City would transfer $10,000 from its Community Environmental Project Grants program to get the Fund started. The idea is to attract Outside donations, with a long term goal to have a $5-10 million capital base.

The purpose would be to "provide financial support to initiatives and organizations that enhance the sustainability of the City of Ottawa from a source other than the municipal tax base. Initiatives that enhance sustainability, for the purpose of the Fund, are defined as any initiatives that improve environmental integrity, economic stability or growth, and social well-being in the City." Its focus would be on:

"- Reducing Ottawa's impact on climate change,
- Improving Ottawa's air quality,
- Addressing water issues, both urban and rural,
- Promoting sustainable land use in the City of Ottawa,
- Promoting waste reduction and sustainable waste management in the City of Ottawa,
- Other projects or initiatives that enhance the sustainability of the City of Ottawa."

The staff report notes that "The financial resources needed to fulfill the goals put forth in [the Ottawa 20/20 plan and its Air Quality and Climate Change Management Plan] exceed the City's ability to fund initiatives to meet these goals."

Only registered charities (or corporations such as municipalities) can be the beneficiaries of disbursements from this Fund.

An Advisory Team will be assembled to develop a fund raising strategy and to allocate grants.

For more information, contact Mary Hegan, the new EAC Chair (and Greenspace Alliance member), at mhegan[at]ripnet.com.