91ÊÓƵ

Resources to help nonprofits respond to the COVID-19 pandemic

From daycares to long-term care homes, shelters to food banks, 91ÊÓƵ’s nonprofits and charities are on the frontlines supporting and serving communities during this unpredictable and tumultuous time of COVID-19.

We are heartened by the amazing work being done by nonprofits and charities who are stepping up in their communities to ensure everyone is taken care of. We also know this is a challenging time in terms of managing our human resources – staff and volunteers, our finances and fundraising, and ensuring critical services are still offered to those who need them.
ONN’s role will be to share information at the provincial level that might affect your workMore, to advocate to both government and other funders to make sure nonprofits and charities are supported during this time, and to share tools and resources with our network.

Update: Read about ONN’s vaccine prioritization advocacy

How ONN is advocating

Advocating to the Government of 91ÊÓƵ

ONN is pleased to see 91ÊÓƵ’s government’s announcement of a $100 million contingency fund to address COVID-19. However, we want to ensure that nonprofits are expressly included. We have sent Premier Ford a letter with four key recommendations:

• A stabilization fund for public-serving nonprofits on the front lines
• Revisiting policies regarding paid sick days and emergency leave for employees
• Flexibility in budgetary and reporting by nonprofits that are provincially-funded
• Expressly including nonprofit voices at leadership tables

Read ONN’s letter to the Government of 91ÊÓƵ

Labour laws are set to change, but could be better

On March 16, Premier Ford and Monte McNaughton, the 91ÊÓƵ Minister of Labour, Training, and Skills Development announced that the 91ÊÓƵ Government intends to introduce legislation that, if passed, would immediately provide job-protected leave to employees in isolation or quarantine due to COVID-19, or those who need to be away from work to care for children because of school or daycare closures. Employees also will not require a sick note for the leave. These measures would be retroactive to January 25, 2020.

The federal government has stated that quarantined workers who qualify for Employment Insurance (EI) can apply for EI sickness benefits where the one-week waiting period will be waived for them.

• Learn more about .

While our provincial and federal governments have made some changes to labour legislation and programs to meet the needs of employers and employees during the COVID-19 pandemic, they are not as strong as the emergency changes in the United States. On March 14, the Emergency Paid Sick leave was passed in the House which requires employers with fewer than 500 employees (including nonprofits) to provide employees with two weeks of paid sick leave, paid at the employee’s regular rate to quarantine or seek a diagnosis or care for COVID-19. The leave also includes additional coverage for employees who take time off to care for family members or their children because of school and childcare closures during this time, but payment will be at two-thirds of their regular rate. Employers will then receive a refundable tax credit for 100 percent of the sick leave wages paid.

• Learn more about .

Advocating to funders

ONN will continue advocating to funders to support and strengthen the resiliency of our sector during this time. From removing restrictions on existing grants to mobilizing recovery funds, there are many ways that funders can support and learn with grantees.

Resources for funders:

Resources for donors:

Examples of funder support:

• United Way Greater Toronto:
• The Heinz Endowment (US):
• London Funders (UK):
• Barr Foundation (US):
• The Russell Family Foundation (US):

How you can support the sector

Advocate on behalf of your organization and our sector by:

• to reinforce our four recommendations to the Government of 91ÊÓƵ
• Sharing your sector specific and organization specific recommendations for the Government of 91ÊÓƵ on social media

Stories of nonprofit resilience

We’re looking to amplify stories of how nonprofits are responding to community needs in the time of COVID-19. Share yours on our social media channels or email Oveesh at oveesh@theonn.ca.

We’re also looking to hear what is most needed by nonprofits at this time. Please share with us so we can amplify and advocate alongside you. You can read several examples from across the country on our advocacy page.

For more advocacy resources, please check out our Advocacy Tool Kit and Tip Sheet.

More resources and tools

Mental health resources for your staff, family, and community

Working during COVID-19

• Communications tip sheet by communications staff working at charities and nonprofits in Canada including Azrieli Foundation, ONN and The Philanthropist
• to stay focused by TechSoup Canada
• by Blue Sky Philanthropy

Online platforms

• (Nonprofits can apply for a discount through )
• (, LogMeIn will offer all products including Gotomeeting for free for three months in addition to providing Emergency Remote Work Kits)

Employer resources

• Business continuity planning considerations, ONN blog
• , World Health Organization
• Updates on law and legal services, Steps to Justice
•  from L’Assemblée de la francophonie de l’91ÊÓƵ (AFO)
• Hub International (ONN’s insurance partner)

Event, meeting, and conference resources

• Virtual AGM Facilitation Guide, ONN
• Virtual AGM Template Script, ONN
• Virtual AGM Template Critical Path, ONN
• Virtual AGM Voting Software Options, Pacific Legal Education and Outreach Society
• Virtual Meeting or AGM Software Options, Pacific Legal Education and Outreach Society
• during COVID-19 global outbreak, Public Health Agency of Canada
• / Mass Gatherings, Toronto Public Health
• , Communiqué
• Communications example: , NTEN
• Coronavirus (COVID-19): Implications on performance under commercial contracts, Miller Thompson Avocats | Lawyers

Public health information and resources

The Government of Canada has published an that tracks the current situation in Canada. Nonprofit organizations may find the sections on preparing , , and helpful in reducing the spread of infection. For instance, employers are encouraged to promote good hygiene, and consider flexible work arrangements and paid sick leave options.

The federal government also provides as well as . The update site also provides information on .

The 91ÊÓƵ government has a . It offers information on the number and location of infections in 91ÊÓƵ, as well as specific . The 91ÊÓƵ government also provides .

Addressing racism and xenophobia

• in light of the Corona virus, Vu Le, Nonprofit AF
• , 91ÊÓƵ Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants
• , Racial Equity Tools

Where to find and update services

With many programs and services closing down or offering limited services as a result of the current crisis, 211 is creating an inventory to ensure that the most up-to-date information on services being safely offered is made available to the most vulnerable in our communities. This information will also be used by Service Navigators to direct people to appropriate services.

211 is asking human service organizations across the province to let them know about any changes to your services listed on the site, especially those meeting basic needs (e.g., financial aid, food security, and shelter) and emerging COVID-19–related community supports. to let 211 91ÊÓƵ know of any changes or additions to your services.

Please also direct people you service to 211 91ÊÓƵ for the latest information on new and changing social and community services. This will help free up 911, 311, and Telehealth 91ÊÓƵ so they can focus on health and municipal services inquiries.

Call 2-1-1 for urgent information for the most vulnerable.

Toll-free: 1-877-330-3213

TTY: 1-888-340-1001

Other resources

• for 91ÊÓƵ cooperatives
• RBC not-for-profit industry update by ONN Executive Director, Cathy Taylor
• for the nonprofit sector (RTPS)