ONTARIO YOUTH ENTREPRENEURSHIP FUND HIGH SCHOOL ENTREPRENEURSHIP OUTREACH PROGRAM REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS GUIDELINES 1.0 CONTEXT The High School Entrepreneurship Outreach program is part of Ontario s comprehensive Youth Jobs Strategy that was announced in the 2013 budget. The Youth Jobs Strategy aims to invest $295 million over two years to help young people find jobs or start their own business while helping employers find the skilled workers they need to thrive in the global economy. The High School Entrepreneurship Outreach program is meant to bring exposure and awareness of entrepreneurship to 250,000 high school students over two years. It will proactively promote entrepreneurship as a career option and increase participation of Ontario youth in entrepreneurship programming offered by the government and others. 2.0 KEY DEFINITIONS Unless otherwise specified in these program guidelines, capitalized words and phrases have the meanings set out below: Entrepreneurship Skills: The ability to start and operate an enterprise using a combination of aptitudes (e.g. initiative, creativity, innovation, resilience, critical-thinking, decision-making, leadership) and knowledge (e.g. financial literacy, market analysis, risk assessment, business planning, etc.). Not-for-Profit Organization: A legal entity, registered as a provincial (Ontario) or federal (Canada) not-for-profit corporation without share capital with an operating presence in Ontario. Project: A project is a collection of activities with a definite beginning and a definite end that will spark an interest in entrepreneurship and/or provide students with an understanding of entrepreneurship concepts and skill sets through including: e.g. role models, success stories and future opportunities. 1
Racialized: Describes groups of people who might experience unequal of differential treatment on the basis of race, ethnicity, language, religion or culture. Newcomer: Describes individuals who have resided in Canada for less than five years Youth facing multiple barriers: Youth from a High-Needs Community and or Vulnerable Population High Needs Community: Geographic locations with the following characteristics: high rates of Youth unemployment, unique requirements for improving youth employability; limited community resources; and/or limited opportunities to attract industry and other partners. This may include: Aboriginal communities; northern communities; small communities (a municipality with a population less than 20,000 or population density of less than 100 persons per square kilometre); and/or urban neighbourhoods with a high concentration of a Vulnerable Population. Vulnerable Population: A demographic group that faces challenges to participating in employment. For the purposes of the Youth Jobs Strategy, this includes: Aboriginal Youth; Newcomer Youth; Racialized Youth; Youth in care; Youth in, or at risk of, conflict with the law; Youth in poverty or from low income families; and/or Youth with disabilities and/or special needs. 3.0 OBJECTIVES Increase the engagement of high school students with entrepreneurship through exposure and learning activities. Leverage the expertise and capacity of provincial, regional and local organizations to offer entrepreneurship exposure, exploration and/or experience; and build collaboration among educators, community organizations, parents and/or the private sector. Align student entrepreneurship activities with current Ministry of Education policies and programs (e.g. Creating Pathways to Success, Specialist High Skills Major (SHMS) program, Co-operative education). 2
4.0 ELIGIBLITY CRITERIA The Ministry invites applications from not-for-profit organizations, in operation for a minimum of three (3) years, municipalities, Aboriginal communities, post-secondary institutions, and boards of education to apply to the Ontario Youth Entrepreneurship Program for high school outreach. Applicants are expected to have: 1. Strong relationships in the secondary education sector; 2. A capacity to engage a high volume of students; and 3. Entrepreneurship expertise and/or desire to expand programming to include entrepreneurship. The applicant must provide its legal name and registration number along with proof that it is a legal entity and was incorporated in Ontario or federally (Canada) as a not-for-profit organization without share capital. Organizations must also have a legally recognized presence in Ontario. Partnerships between organizations are encouraged, and multiple applications from an organization will be considered. Note that for partnerships a lead applicant must be identified. The following organizations are not eligible for funding under this program: for-profit organizations; not-for-profit organizations not in operation for at least three (3) years prior to submission of application; individuals or students; and organizations that do not provide proof of not-for-profit status. 5.0 PROJECT REQUIREMENTS Projects are expected to: Expand an established entrepreneurship program of the organization; and/or Develop new entrepreneurship program(s); and/or Leverage Future Entrepreneurs and/or Business Plan Wizard resources where applicable (www.ontario.ca/business-and-economy/learn-be-entrepreneur-student-resources). Project Content Applicants will be expected to include the use of a role model (e.g. presentation by a successful young entrepreneur) in project activities. 3
For illustrative purposes, an eligible project under this program may include, but is not limited to, the following activities: classroom presentations conferences speaking opportunities workshops demonstrations resource kits (development and delivery) interactive games competitions group projects training camp Marketing/Advertising The approved delivery organizations will be encouraged to engage in local marketing that includes speaking at local schools and at youth events. Applicants are encouraged to integrate Ministry resources and promote Ministry entrepreneurship programs where applicable. Ministry programs for high school students include: Young Entrepreneurs, Make Your Pitch is a contest that challenges students in grades 9 to 12 to pitch their business idea in a two-minute video that will be voted on by the public and expert judges. Finalists will present their ideas in front of a judging panel in Toronto at The Ontario Centre of Excellence Discovery 2015. Summer Company provides hands-on business training and mentoring, and up to $3,000 in awards to help enterprising students (aged 15 to 29) start and run their own summer businesses. Business Plan Wizard is an online e-learning application that presents the theory and skills of developing a business plan in a fun and interactive way. Future Entrepreneurs is a curriculum support toolkit accredited by Curriculum Services Canada that is available to teachers that introduce students Grades 7 to 10 to the skills and mind set of entrepreneurship through models, case studies and interactive activities. These and other Ministry youth programs can be accessed by visiting the Ministry s website: www.ontario.ca/youngentrepreneurs. Project Duration All projects must end by January 31, 2016. 6.0 PERFORMANCE INDICATORS Projects will be expected to set performance targets for the following key outcomes: Number of Youth reached Number of Youth facing multiple barriers reached 4
7.0 FUNDING Successful applicants to this program may be eligible for funding in the form of a grant. It is anticipated that the Ministry will fund up to $200,000 per project. The Ministry, in its sole discretion, may approve a higher contribution amount for larger community projects or those that include multiple communities. Applicants must provide cash and/or in-kind contributions to a minimum of 10% of the eligible project from internal sources and/or partnerships. Projects may combine contributions from the federal government, foundations and other sources. Other Ontario provincial funding cannot be deemed as a contribution to a project; however, organizations receiving core operational provincial funding may apply. Applicants must enter into a funding agreement acceptable to the Ministry in order to receive any funding. The High School Entrepreneurship Outreach program is a discretionary and non-entitlement program with a limited budget. Therefore, notwithstanding any other statement or provision in these guidelines, even if an applicant meets all stated criteria, there is no guarantee that funding will be awarded, as there may be other applicants that more effectively meet the objectives. The Ministry reserves the right to take into consideration regional location and diversity of projects to ensure an equitable distribution across the Province. Eligible and Ineligible Costs and In-kind Expenditures Eligible project expenditures must be directly related to the project and not the type that would be incurred in the normal course of business. As well, expenditure costs are not to exceed fair market value. Documentation for all expenditures must be kept; the Ministry may request to see them at its discretion or for audit purposes. In the event of any interpretation issues regarding expenditures or valuations, the decision of Ontario shall be final and determinative. Applicants who are selected to participate in this program may claim reimbursement for eligible costs from the date of their application. However, applicants will only be reimbursed for such expenses if they (a) have satisfied all program criteria; (b) they have signed a funding agreement acceptable to the Ministry and (c) the Ministry is satisfied that the costs are eligible relative to program guidelines. Eligible Costs: Administration: Costs to set-up and support the project Travel costs to attend business meetings within Ontario related to contract administration or to attend meetings that the Ministry or Ontario convenes or supports subject to Ontario s Travel, Meal and Hospitality Expenses Directive. Professional fees, including legal, audit and insurance fees directly related to and required for the management of the project or to conduct the work of the project. Costs are not to exceed demonstrated fair market value. 5
Telecommunication fees including connectivity charges directly related to and required for the management of the project. Staff training costs directly related to delivery of the project. Delivery: Costs to implement the project Training delivery and participant support costs directly related to the development and delivery of the project. Costs related to work performed by project staff which is pro-rated to the time spent on the delivery of the project. Travel costs, within Ontario, required for the training or mentorship components. Costs for volunteer training to support Youth in the project. Marketing materials and related communication costs if they are directly related to the project. Information session costs required to attract qualified Youth to the project. Facility and equipment rental fees used specifically for the project. Costs related to work performed by companies or individuals that contribute to the project. Support: Costs to reduce barriers to participants for youth Job readiness training such as job specific literacy/numeracy skills, interpersonal skills, communication skills, workplace health and safety. Curriculum development or modification to support training. Industry support and approval needed for either the development of new curriculum or the modification of existing curriculum. Support mechanisms to aid in overcoming participation barriers faced by vulnerable Youth facing multiple barriers to employment. Participation barriers may include: Dependent care, transportation, tools and uniform costs. Cost/time of obtaining criminal record checks. Ineligible Costs: The following costs are not eligible for reimbursement under the program: Costs related to the development of the proposal and program application. Costs not directly associated with the delivery of the project or directly required to meet the deliverables of the project. Salaries (except for project management costs covered under project administration and communications), and private sector contractors/consultants fees. Out of province travel costs for project staff, chaperones, or travel costs of non-ontario youth. Expenses or fees payable to organizations outside Ontario. Capital expenses including, but not limited to, buildings and land. Annual membership fees to associations. In-Kind Expenses Ontario regards the following as in-kind expenditures eligible for reimbursement and which must be listed as part of the project's overall budget (expenditures and revenues). Applicants must be able, if asked, to verify the value of donated goods and services. The contributions must be valued 6
at the lesser of demonstrated fair market value or actual cost to the donor. In the event of a disagreement between an applicant and the Ministry regarding the value of an in-kind expenditure, the Ministry s valuation shall be final and determinative of such value. Eligible In-Kind Expenditures: The following are examples of eligible in-kind contributions: Donations of travel services (e.g., vehicles, airfare) subject to Ontario s Travel, Meal and Hospitality Expenses Directive. Time donated by various relevant partners in the development and/or delivery of the project or for consulting and professional services required for the project. This must be valued at the individual s actual salary for the time spent on the project, and not any other value. Donation of organization s premises to deliver the project on a pro-rated basis. Donation of space at a location other than the organization s premises necessary to conduct the project. Discounts greater than or above regularly discounted prices. Work performed by project staff which is pro-rated to the time spent on the project. Ineligible In-Kind Expenditures: The following will not be considered as in-kind contributions: Donations in the form of knowledge, goodwill and other such intangibles. Guest speakers that would normally not be paid for services (e.g. local entrepreneurs). Costs for roles that would traditionally be filled by volunteers (e.g. community mentors). All remunerations and fees paid to the Board of Directors. Opportunity costs. Standard discounts. Interest charges. Any items or services not directly related to the project. The determination of the eligibility or non-eligibility of any proposed in-kind contributions shall be at the sole discretion of the Ministry. 8.0 APPLICATION PROCESS Organizations are invited to submit an application using the Proposal Template. Please note that full sentences are not required and bullet points or charts with detailed information will be accepted. Proposals must follow the prescribed format and not exceed the maximum word count of 2350 (approximately 9.4 pages in Arial 12 point font) while including: description of the project outlining the applicant s capacity to deliver and the tools to be used for the project. target number of youth to be reached and how the applicant will engage youth facing multiple barriers and/or living in high needs communities the regions of Ontario in which the project will take place (provide a map and identify specifically where the project will take place e.g. which high school) 7
description of the applicant s project implementation plan and how the applicant will coordinate with the Ontario Network of Entrepreneurs (e.g. ONE also promotes Ministry entrepreneurship programs) description of the partnerships, if applicable including letters of support past experience / internal capacity with entrepreneurship Use of a young entrepreneur in the project (e.g. Best practice of youth engagement is to use a successful youth entrepreneur and someone that youth can relate to) Risks and risk mitigation strategy Project budget Timeline May 6, 2014 May 16, 2014 June 30, 2014@ 4:00 p.m. (Toronto Time) August 26, 2014 *September 2014 Call for Proposals opens Information Session Call for Proposals ends Activity Notification to all successful and unsuccessful applicants Execution of Funding Agreements with successful applicants for the delivery of the High School Entrepreneurship Outreach project September 2014 Initial funds flowed October 2014 Program Activities begin *Note: Dates are approximate and are subject to change A complete application has two components: 1. Email an electronic MS Word File of the proposal to hs.outreach@ontario.ca with the Subject: [Name of applicant s organization] 2. Courier the signed original plus four (4) copies (double sided, stapled and three-hole punched) to the following address: Ministry of Economic Development Trade and Employment Entrepreneurship Branch - Youth Partnerships 56 Wellesley Street West, 5 th Floor Toronto, ON M7A 2E7 Phone: (416) 327-0530 Attention: Jennifer MacGowan, Business Consultant Youth Partnerships Deadline to receive proposals is 4:00 pm (Toronto Time) on Monday, June 30, 2014. Ensure that proposals are complete and are signed by a designate with the authority to bind the organization in a funding agreement. An application will not be reviewed if it: does not follow the prescribed format; exceeds the maximum word count; or is incomplete. 8
Additional materials other than those requested will not be accepted or reviewed by the Ministry. 9
9.0 SELECTION PROCESS The following criteria will guide the Ministry s evaluation of each proposal submitted: Demonstration of how many youth in Ontario will be engaged over the project s time period (up to January 31, 2016) Each project s target audience will be considered carefully when evaluating applications in order to achieve an equitable distribution of outreach across the province. Demonstrate how it will engage youth through a variety of methods Projects to engage youth at any point of the engagement continuum (exposure, exploration, experience). Projects that introduce entrepreneurship principles. Projects that allow youth to explore and/or experience a wide range of entrepreneurial activities. Projects that build a team of informal entrepreneurship ambassadors and youth influencers that will help promote and support entrepreneurship in Ontario. Demonstrate how gaps will be addressed in current programming and/or in a specific region Projects should identify needs in the province/community and introduce entrepreneurship exposure and or programming to fill these needs. Projects will be assessed on their ability to introduce entrepreneurship and successfully engage a high number of youth not currently being reached. Demonstrate how leverage existing partnerships, resources and networks will be used Projects should articulate how a collaborative network will be formed to help businesses succeed. Demonstrate how the integration of entrepreneurial government initiatives will occur (e.g. Summer Company, Young Entrepreneurs, Make Your Pitch) When addressing youth audiences, where appropriate, the successful applicants will be expected to promote at least two or more Ministry Youth Entrepreneurship Programs. Demonstrate how youth facing multiple barriers and/or living in high needs communities will be engaged. Demonstrate how youth will be used to engage high school students (e.g. A successful young entrepreneur under 30 started her/his own business and is now very successful have a session where high school students are able to ask about the successful young entrepreneur s experience). For further details on evaluation criteria, please see proposal submission template. The Ministry, in its sole and absolute discretion, may evaluate and select an organization due to the following considerations: strategic government priorities time sensitivity of the project 10
partnership availability to support the project regional distribution requirements. 10.0 CONDITIONS OF APPLICATION The project must provide good value for money. Costs costs should be reasonable and consistent with outcomes. The Ministry reserves the right to ask applicants with similar or complementary projects to consider collaborating to make sure that there is an equitable distribution across the Province. The Ministry will apply a regional equity and diversity lens to ensure a strong cross section of projects and distribution of funding across Ontario. The Ministry reserves the right to give preference to projects that, in the Ministry s sole opinion, address government priorities through the evaluation process as addressed in the evaluation criteria. Applicants should not take any action, or incur any costs related to the project, that is predicated on receiving funding under this program from the Ministry until a proposal is approved by the Ministry and all parties have entered into a formal written agreement which is acceptable to the Ministry. The Ministry reserves the right to impose whatever conditions it deems advisable in the acceptance of an application. The Ministry, in its sole and absolute discretion, may determine whether to provide funding; the amount of any funding; and the purpose for which the funding will be used. The Ministry, reserves the right to hold another call for proposals should it be required. The High School Entrepreneurship Outreach Program is a discretionary and non-entitlement program with a limited budget. Therefore, even if an application meets all stated criteria, there is no guarantee that program funding will be awarded, as there may be other applicants that more effectively meet the program s objectives. 11
11.0 CONFIDENTIALITY Please note that the Ministry is subject to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (the Act ). The Act provides every person with a right of access to information in the custody or under the control of the Ministry subject to a limited set of exemptions. Section 17 of the Act provides a limited exemption for third party information that reveals a trade secret or scientific, commercial, technical, financial or labour relations information supplied in confidence where disclosure of the information could reasonably be expected to result certain harms. Any trade secret or any scientific, technical, commercial, financial or labour relations information submitted to the Ministry in confidence should be clearly marked. The Ministry will provide notice before granting access to a record that might contain information referred to in Section 17 of the Act so that the affected party may make representations to the Ministry concerning disclosure. The applicant is advised that the names and addresses of grant recipients, the amount of grant awards, and the purpose for which grants are awarded is information the Ministry makes available to the public. Communications requirements, including use of the Ontario Trillium, will be included as part of the mandatory legal agreement entered into with successful applicants and the Ministry. 12