Partners Providing Grant Funding
Options Mississauga is a self-contained organization. We are not owned, operated or a subsidiary of any other group. We are governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. One of the advantages of being a social enterprise is that about 1/3 of the money we need to operate is internally generated, mostly through the sale of printing products and services. However, we have obtained grants from a number of organizations over time. These grants have in the past – and continue to be - absolutely essential in allowing us to use innovative strategies to provide the kind of employment training that we are known for. Recently Options Mississauga has received funding from the following organizations:
Region of PeelWe have been awarded a 3 year CORE Grant for 2024-2026 (our third consecutive grant of this nature) which is of huge importance to our charity since the Region provides substantial funding to cover some of our fixed costs to allow us the resources to undertake important strategic initiatives. An innovative approach to funding that speaks to the kind of partner the Region is to our charity. Options has a long historical relationship with the Region of Peel, including as a valuable resource for exchanging information and networking. The Region has also provided funding in the last year to assist with our fledgling Arts Enterprise and the purchase of additional print equipment. Our business revenues would not be the success it is without this attention and support from the Region. Mississauga Foundation
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At Options we have an informal policy of making sure all of our business and social partners know about the role our grantors have played, and continue to play, in the provision of service to individuals who have an intellectual disability; and these grantors realize that their funds are highly leveraged by Options since we can utilize investment to grow our business and serve more people while paying for most of the cost of operation ourselves. It is a great model that works! And our mission and values resonate with many agencies - too many to name here - who offer us support in various ways.
A good example? This year we received a capital grant from a new partner, Ian Martin & Associates, to purchase an industrial shredder. This has allowed us to launch a boutique shredding business tailored to the local Port Credit neighbourhood. And best of all? The shredding process can be effectively managed by the people we support, providing sustained employment. One of the goals of our charity/social enterprise is to steadily increase the percentage of our operating costs we can internally generate, which is not easy but we are slowly getting there. Covid-19 has caused a temporary slump, to be expected, but we have the infrastructure - including a wonderful local Port Credit business community as customers - to continue to be a success.
A good example? This year we received a capital grant from a new partner, Ian Martin & Associates, to purchase an industrial shredder. This has allowed us to launch a boutique shredding business tailored to the local Port Credit neighbourhood. And best of all? The shredding process can be effectively managed by the people we support, providing sustained employment. One of the goals of our charity/social enterprise is to steadily increase the percentage of our operating costs we can internally generate, which is not easy but we are slowly getting there. Covid-19 has caused a temporary slump, to be expected, but we have the infrastructure - including a wonderful local Port Credit business community as customers - to continue to be a success.