[bluemoon]

Please tell me more about contribution agreements.

Originally Posted by savinggreen

I have a fair bit of experience with government environment projects, although more in terms of contracts than projects like this. One thing i can definitely tell you is that the funding levels for anything to do with the environment have dropped off significantly since the conservatives came into office. The difference is alarming. The Outreach group at NRCan would probably have been a good route for you, except that they had most of their funding cut - including their biggest project, the One Tonne Challenge. Environment Canada may have some money, although they have a hard time giving money away on account of very strict internal contracting rules.

Here's a more exhaustive list of Government funding programs:
Canada Business - Browse Government Programs and Services by Topic

If you're a non-profit, I'd strongly suggest you look into contribution agreements. Again, these are subject to funding, but from what I've heard, some divisions lost their funding for consulting and other such options, but have money for contribution agreements. This is one way that environmental or industry associations get funding.

Good luck.

[Raptor235]

not yet been very busy with the site and promotion as soon as I get some time I'll be looking in more detail at this...

[cats3]

Is AboutMyPlanet.com a Canadian project?

[Raptor235]

yes cats3 Toronto Canada to be exact.

[horselover]

One of the only Canadian sites I've seen around the web too.

[horselover]

Some important stuff I received via email this morning Raptor. Might be useful for you. It comes from the first link I supplied:

Right now, there are over 251 government assistance programs available for businesses in Ontario and Canada. There are literally thousands of Ontario businesses that have applied forand received funding in the form of grants, loans and other types of assistance.

Every year, the government of Canada and Ontario distribute billions of dollars in assistance for businesses. Many of these businesses which were funded were start-ups just like yours. Experienced counsellors are standing by to discuss how your new start-up business may receivemonies from the government of Canada and Ontario.

Call our information centre toll free at 1-800-310-7617 before Friday, November 17th by 4pm to find out if your new business qualifies. We can be contacted weekdays from 8am to 8pm Eastern Time and from 10am to 6pm on Saturday and Sunday. If calling from the Ottawa region,call 613-564-0189.

The Small Business Funding Centre
Ottawa, Canada

P.S. Be advised that because funding programs can be discontinued without notice, you should call toll free 1-800-310-7617 without delay. A counsellor will discuss your situation and show how your new start-up venture may qualify for funding. Ontario businesses that have received funding from government programs in the past:

$87,000 to direct entry recycling for Abitibi-Price Inc. in Mississauga
$79,500 for a dollar store for Debra Perras in Sudbury
$75,000 for a marketing plan for manufacturing safety systems for Jess Safety Systems Inc. in Sudbury
$50,000 for a medium density fiberboard (MDF) from waste wood/ waste paper for The Canfibre Group Ltd. in Oakville
$13,500 for a new e-commerce website for Delta Impressions Inc. in Vaughan
$2,750,000 for a paint stripping robot to work with fighter planes for Vadeko Agra Technologies Inc. in Mississauga
$17,000 for a recording studio (Wairua Studios) for Deborah L. Ngahuka in Hagersville
$15,000 for a study to develop integrated action plan on bar codes for Piller Sausages & Delicatessens Limited in Waterloo
$75,000 for a trailer park for David Lyman Corbiere in Billings
$43,350 to acquire a camera photo-finishing business for Linda Ried in Strathroy
$46,500 to acquire waterjet cleaning system for L. S. Kosowan Limited in Copper Cliff
$191,506 for acquisition of advanced equipment for De Havilland Inc. in Downsview
$1,825,000 for advanced landing gear technology for Messier-Dowty Inc. in Ajax
$50,870 to airborne mapping system - digital for Aquarius Flight Inc. in Markham
$93,402 for aircraft flight line troubleshooting training system for Atlantis Aerospace Corporation in Brampton
$46,800 to alpha test of a new patented building design for Hollerdome Inc. in Sudbury
$90,373 for an on-line wood chip measuring system for Dipix Technologies Inc. in Ottawa
$49,000 for artic eco-tourism market research proposal for Unaaq Incorporated in Ottawa
$50,000 for artwork and design for potato chip bags for Small Fry Snack Foods (Atlantic) Ltd. in Cambridge
$3,820 for assessment of campmate washer for Joel Maki in Toronto
$355,355 to assist with the planning and development of a new earth science for Science North in Sudbury
$4,703 to attend trade show at Frankfurt Fall Fair for Legends in Sioux Lookout
$34,830 to build a cold storage warehouse and purchase equipment for Tamarac Nurseries Ltd. in Dryden
$68,250 to build class a arena and stable for Kathy Atfield, Larry & Rosalyn Jakeman in Parry Sound
$68,250 to build resort and ice cream parlor for tourists for Karen & Denis Belanger in Hilton Beach
$3,750 for business plan to start up of a charter boat operation for Alma & Gerald Adams in Thunder Bay
$40,000 for Canadian base global access television network for WETV Global Access Television Network in Ottawa
$3,040 for capital and marketing for flags and banners for Georgina Florence Montgomery in Ottawa
$27,559 for capital for a bed and breakfast for Ron And June Simon in Sarnia
$250,000 for capital for a grain operation for Tahgahoning Enterprise in Wallaceburg
$13,430 for capital for a landscaping operation for Mark Shilling in Rama
$32,325 for capital for aquaculture facility for Jonathon Cummings in Tyendinaga
$3,000 for capital for architectural design for Roland Niganobe in East York
$49,590 for capital for bakery for Scott Hill in Nanticoke
$4,072 for capital for batting cages for Teresa Abitong in Massey
$10,635 for capital for commercial cleaning service for Robert G. Fenton in Thunder Bay
$33,314 for capital for computer software and services for Virtual Wave Inc. in Ottawa
$88,985 for capital for crematorium and removal service for Joseph Eshkakogan in Massey
$22,160 for capital for custom cabinets for Henry Panamick Jr. & Lance Migwans in Billings
$28,815 for capital for desktop video production for Chris Matinet in Sault Ste. Marie
$48,251 for capital for disc jockey service for Wade H. Griffin in Oakville
$71,932 for capital for dump truck services and contractor for Darren Jewell in Thunder Bay
$7,925 for capital for garbage disposal and haulage for Samuel Kewaquado in Mcdougall
$16,500 for capital for goat farm for Andrew Joseph in Haldimand
$49,500 for capital for hardware and lumber supply outlet for Willard J. Niganobe in Blind River
$78,900 for capital for haulage of construction material for Blaine Laforme in Haldimand
$49,175 for capital for horse stables for Tim Thompson & Nena Lacaille-Johnson in Midland
$52,280 for capital for JP Contracting for Julian Pine in Cutler
$16,894 for capital for JR Bus Lines for Sandra Boyer-Nolan in Blind River
$25,000 for capital for lodging and accommodations for Dominic Craftchick in Nipissing
$62,780 for capital for logging for Dean Brizard in Red Rock
$76,783 for capital for masonry business for Jerome Pheasant Jr. in Manitowaning
$4,560 for capital for odour control and sanitation for Karl Masters in Sault Ste. Marie
$80,625 for capital for organic ginseng operation for Roy Decaire in Wilmot
$66,750 for capital for outfitting and tourist camp for Nelson Leo Montreuil in Mattawa
$5,154 for capital for painting and staining of cottages for Roxanne Potts in Nipissing
$45,540 for capital for Polar Bear Park Getaways for Sam Hunter in Peawanuck
$10,000 for capital for portable bandsaw mill for Tim Bellerose in Sault Ste. Marie
$11,357 for capital for Potan's Cabinet's and Renovations for James Potan in Nipigon
$57,372 for capital for print shop for Christopher Lorne Riley in Wallaceburg
$30,000 for capital for Ronald Beaver Farms for Ronald Beaver in Hagersville
$60,750 for capital for sand pit for Jolene Unger in North Bay
$65,100 for capital for Seguin Brothers Trucking for Robert & Real Seguin in Thunder Bay
$39,965 for capital for signs and displays for Kenneth J. & Muriel L. Henry in London
$14,900 for capital for snack vending operation for Walter Bannon in Thunder Bay
$35,750 for capital for sports cards and memorabilia for Darren Ransom in Sault Ste. Marie
$6,025 for capital for strawberry farm for Gaston Obomsawin in Sudbury
$43,200 for capital for summer resort for Maurice M. Lariviere in Sturgeon Falls
$6,000 for capital for The Bear Cave for John Beaucage in Parry Sound
$10,000 for capital for traditional teepee camp for Virginia Saville Mckenzie in Nipissing
$57,200 for capital for trucking business for Jason Pereira in Sudbury
$6,600 for Capital Inn and outfitting/ guiding for Killarney Adventures Inn & Outfitting in Sudbury
$143,450 for capital of cabinet manufacturing operation for Shawn & Ronald Brant in Deseronto
$15,000 for capital to establish a pizza and sub shop for Yvonne S. Storr in Forest
$24,980 for capital to expand natural garden designs landscaping for Randy Migwans in Kanata
$32,990 for capital to expand operations for The Anishinabe Experience in Hagarty & Richards
$30,000 for capital-automobile aftermarket supply and service for Gale Hill in Haldimand
$20,000 for chemical effects on reproduction for Johnson & Higgins Ltd in Ottawa
$24,999 to conduct preliminary roundtable on environmental industry for International Indigenous Network in Ottawa
$60,000 to construct mill and install assembly lines, improve efficiency for Lori J. Gunter in Shining Tree
$92,800 to construct a new kiln for drying lumber for Quality Hardwoods Limited in Powassan
$32,320 to construct a new wolf enclosure for Earlton Zoo in Earlton
$121,004 to construct a plant to manufacture work gloves for Superior Glove Works Limited in Acton
$25,000 to construct boat storage building and breakwall/ dock system for James Michael Payne in Pointe Au Baril
$38,775 to construct new washrooms for handicap accessible for G.A. Demers Ltd. in Pancake Bay
$50,000 for contribution to the analysis supply capability/ environment prod. for Doyletech Corporation in Kanata
$14,850 for delivery of two seminars on services of trading houses/ export for Les Entreprises "Boreal" in Sudbury
$732,000 to design, develop, test and qualify a de-icing timer unit for Messier-Dowty Inc. in Peterborough
$14,070 to determine potential demand for geodesic housing units for Flexadome Systems Inc. in Carleton Place
$25,000 to determine the environmental effects of selective hardwood for Upper Lakes Environmental Research Network in Sault Ste. Marie
$25,000 to develop a snowmobile touring company for Polar Bear Rider's Snowmobile Club Inc. in Cochrane
$115,200 to develop an interactive web site for Science North in Sudbury
$30,770 to develop automated vehicle location system for Eliris Inc. in Sault Ste Marie
$9,450 to develop brochure for computer consulting company for Matdev Corp. in Thunder Bay

[Raptor235]

thanks a lot I'll call them in the next few days.. I want to start doing this full time next year so any help will be great.

[horselover]

Or sooner right? It's always nice to be able to quit your regular job to do something you love.

I'm trying to get my business off the ground, but it will take a lot of time and patience, especially since I'm stuck for at least a year. I can't relocate so I can't get my business going. Oh well, in time, but at least I'm checking into it right now.


Glad I can help.

[horselover]

I just got off the phone with the Small Business Funding Centre.

*sarcastic* They don't ask for much. They only want 2 payments of $197 to get an information package that's good for 7 years so you can reapply for grants or loans for free. *sigh* I'll have to come up with $197 just for the one year service.

[Raptor235]

that's too bad.. I think they might be like a middle man... the whole purpose of a grant is to get you money and the fact that you need money...