TD Ready Challenge is sponsored by TD Bank (through PA CDFI Network). The TD Ready Challenge provides grants to organizations like the PA CDFI Network to support innovative solutions for underserved small business owners, helping them develop, launch, or grow their businesses. It focuses on economic opportunity and community development.

The 2024 TD Ready Challenge</h1>\r\n"}}" id="text-67149347c6" class="cmp-text"> The 2024 TD Ready Challenge The TD Ready Challenge is our annual North American initiative, which has ten (10) $1 million grants available to organizations developing innovative, impactful and measurable solutions for a changing world.

This signature program created by TD is a key component to delivering on the bank’s corporate citizenship platform, the <a href=\"/content/tdcom/ca/en/about-td/ready-commitment. html\">TD Ready Commitment</a>.

</p>\r\n"}}" id="text-cbfe00466f" class="cmp-text"> The TD Ready Challenge is our annual North American initiative, which has ten (10) $1 million grants available to organizations developing innovative, impactful and measurable solutions for a changing world. This signature program created by TD is a key component to delivering on the bank’s corporate citizenship platform, the TD Ready Commitment .

In its seventh year, eligible non-profits and community organizations could apply for grants of CDN $1 million for Canadian-based organizations and USD $1 million for US-based organizations. Ten 2024 TD Ready Challenge grant recipients have been announced! Click on the 'Recipients' tab to explore more.

Each year, the TD Ready Challenge invites eligible organizations to submit applications that offer solutions for a Problem Statement that is connected to one of the four drivers of change of the <b>TD Ready Commitment</b>: <a href=\"https://www. td. com/ca/en/about-td/ready-commitment/financial-security/\">Financial Security</a>, <a href=\"https://www.

td. com/ca/en/about-td/ready-commitment/vibrant-planet/\">Vibrant Planet</a>, <a href=\"https://www. td.

com/ca/en/about-td/ready-commitment/connected-communities/\">Connected Communities</a>, and <a href=\"https://www. td. com/ca/en/about-td/ready-commitment/better-health/\">Better Health</a>.

The 2024 TD Ready Challenge is seeking applications from charitable and non-profit organizations that propose innovative approaches to supporting underserved small business owners to develop a business, launch a new business, or grow an existing business.

</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">We encourage applicants to present novel strategies, technologies or partnerships that have the potential to disrupt systemic barriers for underserved entrepreneurs with the goal of cultivating a more inclusive and supportive entrepreneurial landscape across North America.

</p>\r\n"}}" id="text-7ff9c9460d" class="cmp-text"> Each year, the TD Ready Challenge invites eligible organizations to submit applications that offer solutions for a Problem Statement that is connected to one of the four drivers of change of the TD Ready Commitment : Financial Security , Vibrant Planet , Connected Communities , and Better Health .

The 2024 TD Ready Challenge is seeking applications from charitable and non-profit organizations that propose innovative approaches to supporting underserved small business owners to develop a business, launch a new business, or grow an existing business.

We encourage applicants to present novel strategies, technologies or partnerships that have the potential to disrupt systemic barriers for underserved entrepreneurs with the goal of cultivating a more inclusive and supportive entrepreneurial landscape across North America. Background</h2>\r\n<p>Entrepreneurs in Canada and the US are persevering despite the fragility of the small business sector post-pandemic.

Underrepresented and underserved community entrepreneurs are especially vulnerable to certain economic forces. </p>\r\n<p>According to a recent Harvard Business Review <a href=\"https://hbr. org/2024/01/how-the-pandemic-rebooted-entrepreneurship-in-the-u-s\">article</a>, as of October 2023 “Americans were still filing 59% more applications to start new businesses than they were before the pandemic.

” Contrasting this trend, Business Development Canada has found that almost <a href=\"https://www. bdc. ca/en/about/mediaroom/news-releases/nearly-half-as-many-people-are-launching-businesses-as-20-years-ago\">half as many Canadians are starting businesses today</a> as compared to 20 years ago.

</p>\r\n<p>Some industries such as home health and personal care are <a href=\"https://www. forbes. com/advisor/business/small-business-statistics/\">predicted to grow</a>, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics as the population ages.

Meanwhile, other industries such as <a href=\"https://www. forbes. com/advisor/business/small-business-statistics/\">hospitality</a> and the arts are still recovering post-pandemic.

For example, according to research from the <a href=\"https://dais. ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Portraits-of-creative-entrepreneurs-FINAL-1. pdf\">Brookfield Institute for Innovation + Entrepreneurship</a>, self-employed creative workers within the arts and culture sector often see fluctuations in their income, earning on a project-by-project basis, and are usually dependent on multiple funding streams.

This combination means many struggle to meet basic needs. </p>\r\n<p>Regardless of whether a small business is just starting, working to recover from the pandemic, or poised for growth, <a href=\"https://www. bankrate.

com/loans/small-business/small-business-statistics/\">data</a> from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that 18% of small businesses fail within the first year. By the fifth year, 50% will have failed due to insufficient funding and support. Common reasons for small business failure can include <a href=\"https://www.

chamberofcommerce. org/small-business-statistics/\">access to capital, ineffective business planning</a>, <a href=\"https://bipartisanpolicy. org/report/immigrant-entrepreneurship-economic-potential-and-obstacles-to-success/\">lack of credit history</a>, and <a href=\"https://www.

planning. org/blog/9203458/lowering-institutional-barriers-for-immigrant-entrepreneurs/\">lack of knowledge of local languages</a>, especially for entrepreneurs from underserved communities. <a href=\"https://chamber.

ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/StateOfSmallBusiness_EN_Final. pdf\">Research</a> from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce notes that contemporary small businesses face slower growth, lower revenue, and weaker employment. <a href=\"https://chamber.

ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/StateOfSmallBusiness_EN_Final. pdf\"></a></p>\r\n<p><a href=\"https://chamber. ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/StateOfSmallBusiness_EN_Final.

pdf\">The Canadian Chamber of Commerce</a> also found that "large gaps remain in business ownership representation for a variety of equity-seeking Groups." In Canada, visible minorities represent almost 26. 5% of the population but only <a href=\"https://chamber.

ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/StateOfSmallBusiness_EN_Final. pdf\" target=\"_blank\">19. 2% are majority business owners</a> while in the U.S. minorities make up 32% of the population but business ownership represents <a href=\"https://www.

sbc. senate. gov/public/index.

cfm/minorityentrepreneurs\">only 18% of the population</a>. </p>\r\n"}}" id="text-08344ebeba" class="cmp-text"> Entrepreneurs in Canada and the US are persevering despite the fragility of the small business sector post-pandemic. Underrepresented and underserved community entrepreneurs are especially vulnerable to certain economic forces.

According to a recent Harvard Business Review article , as of October 2023 “Americans were still filing 59% more applications to start new businesses than they were before the pandemic. ” Contrasting this trend, Business Development Canada has found that almost half as many Canadians are starting businesses today as compared to 20 years ago.

Some industries such as home health and personal care are predicted to grow , according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics as the population ages. Meanwhile, other industries such as hospitality and the arts are still recovering post-pandemic.

For example, according to research from the Brookfield Institute for Innovation + Entrepreneurship , self-employed creative workers within the arts and culture sector often see fluctuations in their income, earning on a project-by-project basis, and are usually dependent on multiple funding streams. This combination means many struggle to meet basic needs.

Regardless of whether a small business is just starting, working to recover from the pandemic, or poised for growth, data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that 18% of small businesses fail within the first year. By the fifth year, 50% will have failed due to insufficient funding and support.

Common reasons for small business failure can include access to capital, ineffective business planning , lack of credit history , and lack of knowledge of local languages , especially for entrepreneurs from underserved communities. Research from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce notes that contemporary small businesses face slower growth, lower revenue, and weaker employment.

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce also found that "large gaps remain in business ownership representation for a variety of equity-seeking Groups." In Canada, visible minorities represent almost 26. 5% of the population but only 19.

2% are majority business owners while in the U.S. minorities make up 32% of the population but business ownership represents only 18% of the population . Certain groups face greater challenges and barriers to launching a new business or growing an existing business.

These groups can include:<br>\r\n</p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>2SLGBTQ+ communities^{<a href=\"#cmp-modal~overlay1~1\">1</a>}</li>\r\n<li>Indigenous communities^{<a href=\"#cmp-modal~overlay1~2\">2</a>}</li>\r\n<li>Low-income communities^{<a href=\"#cmp-modal~overlay1~3\">3</a>}</li>\r\n<li>Newcomers^{<a href=\"#cmp-modal~overlay1~4\">4</a>}</li>\r\n<li>People with existing health conditions and/or disabilities^{<a href=\"#cmp-modal~overlay1~5\">5</a>}</li>\r\n<li>Racialized communities^{<a href=\"#cmp-modal~overlay1~6\">6</a>}</li>\r\n<li>Veterans^{<a href=\"#cmp-modal~overlay1~7\">7</a>}</li>\r\n<li>Women^{<a href=\"#cmp-modal~overlay1~8\">8</a>}</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n"}}" id="background" class="cmp-text"> Certain groups face greater challenges and barriers to launching a new business or growing an existing business.

These groups can include: People with existing health conditions and/or disabilities 5 Problem Statement</h2>\r\n"}}" id="text-69a9072016" class="cmp-text"> The 2024 TD Ready Challenge is seeking applications from charitable and non-profit organizations that propose innovative approaches to supporting underserved small business owners to develop a business, launch a new business, or grow an existing business.

</p>\r\n<p>We encourage applicants to present novel strategies, technologies or partnerships that have the potential to disrupt systemic barriers for underserved entrepreneurs with the goal of cultivating a more inclusive and supportive entrepreneurial landscape across North America.

</p>\r\n"}}" id="text-3d875ecab5" class="cmp-text"> The 2024 TD Ready Challenge is seeking applications from charitable and non-profit organizations that propose innovative approaches to supporting underserved small business owners to develop a business, launch a new business, or grow an existing business.

We encourage applicants to present novel strategies, technologies or partnerships that have the potential to disrupt systemic barriers for underserved entrepreneurs with the goal of cultivating a more inclusive and supportive entrepreneurial landscape across North America. The 2024 Challenge</h2>\r\n"}}" id="text-0328b8c84b" class="cmp-text"> <b>How can organizations address the Problem Statement?

</b><br>\r\n</p>\r\n<p>The 2024 TD Ready Challenge seeks to provide financial support to organizations that have designed innovative, scalable and/or replicable solutions focused on addressing the 2024 Problem Statement.

</p>\r\n<p>Such solutions could be focused on, but are not limited to, one or more of the following: </p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Providing access to financial capital and support</li>\r\n<li>Building business and financial planning skills</li>\r\n<li>Providing business mentorship</li>\r\n<li>Other</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<p><b>The grants</b><br>\r\n</p>\r\n<p>For 2024, there are a maximum of ten (10) grants available under the TD Ready Challenge for Canada and the US together.

Eligible Canadian-based organizations are able to apply for CDN $1 million and eligible US-based organizations are able to apply for USD $1 million. </p>\r\n"}}" id="text-76067f0703" class="cmp-text"> How can organizations address the Problem Statement?

The 2024 TD Ready Challenge seeks to provide financial support to organizations that have designed innovative, scalable and/or replicable solutions focused on addressing the 2024 Problem Statement.

Such solutions could be focused on, but are not limited to, one or more of the following: Providing access to financial capital and support Building business and financial planning skills Providing business mentorship For 2024, there are a maximum of ten (10) grants available under the TD Ready Challenge for Canada and the US together.

Eligible Canadian-based organizations are able to apply for CDN $1 million and eligible US-based organizations are able to apply for USD $1 million.

We will have a clear preference for programs that:</h2>\r\n"}}" id="text-6bfa0d9687" class="cmp-text"> We will have a clear preference for programs that: Are pilots or that are programs that will use the grant to scale and/or replicate solutions to additional communities or populations; Have wide demographic or geographical reach in areas where the TD Bank Group ("TD") operates.

This includes all of Canada as well as: (a) those US states that are within the TD Retail footprint (map and listing found here) ; and (b) the Lapeer, Livingston, Macomb, Oakland, St.

Clair and Wayne counties in the Metro Detroit area; Have a clear evaluation and measurement process to track impact; and Are put forward by organizations which have not received any funds or grants from TD of CDN $250,000 or more or USD $250,000 or more during the period starting on August 31, 2023 through to and including August 31, 2024.

Additional considerations</h2>\r\n"}}" id="text-168b306169" class="cmp-text"> Additional considerations We will not fund grant applications that focus on:</p>\r\n"}}" id="text-e9698e0614" class="cmp-text"> We will not fund grant applications that focus on: For profit companies or institutions; or Lobbying for policy, legislation or regulations.

As part of the application process, TD requires an understanding of the financial status of your organization. If your organization's audited statement(s) reflect(s) a recent deficit, please explain the reason for this deficit in your application. Please note that a deficit will not impact your eligibility for a TD Ready Challenge Grant.

Eligibility Criteria</h2>\r\n"}}" id="text-1b237f76ba" class="cmp-text"> Programs presented in applications must deal directly with people and provide benefits to people and communities. Applicants can be Canadian, or US organizations as described below. </p>\r\n"}}" id="text-1f3dafc1a2" class="cmp-text"> Programs presented in applications must deal directly with people and provide benefits to people and communities.

Applicants can be Canadian, or US organizations as described below. The following are eligible to apply: \r\n<li>Canadian registered charities and not-for-profit organizations; or</li>\r\n<li>U.S. charitable and not-for profit organizations which meet the following criteria and can provide written confirmation of same:</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n<p style=\"margin-left: 80. 0px;\">a.

Have received Section 501(c)(3) determination from the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS"); or</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin-left: 80. 0px;\">b. Are treated by the IRS as an organization that is not a private foundation as described in Sections 509(a)(1),(2) or (3) of the Internal Revenue Code (the "IRS Code"); or</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin-left: 80.

0px;\">c. Are a local/state government organization. </p>\r\n<p>Note: 2019, 2020 & 2021 TD Ready Challenge Grant recipients are eligible to apply.

</p>\r\n"}}" id="text-3f8db77cab" class="cmp-text"> Canadian registered charities and not-for-profit organizations; or U.S. charitable and not-for profit organizations which meet the following criteria and can provide written confirmation of same: a. Have received Section 501(c)(3) determination from the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS"); or b.

Are treated by the IRS as an organization that is not a private foundation as described in Sections 509(a)(1),(2) or (3) of the Internal Revenue Code (the "IRS Code"); or c. Are a local/state government organization. Note: 2019, 2020 & 2021 TD Ready Challenge Grant recipients are eligible to apply.

The following are not eligible to apply: \r\n<li>Elementary and secondary schools</li>\r\n<li>Religious organizations (i.e., organizations whose primary purpose is religious practice or worship). However, faith-based organizations that provide programs and services for broader community benefit, may be considered.

</li>\r\n<li>Pageants</li>\r\n<li>Sports teams and sporting events</li>\r\n<li>Individuals or individual pursuits/fundraising initiatives</li>\r\n<li>Recreational groups (lodges, fraternal clubs, self-improvement organizations, etc.)</li>\r\n<li>Conferences, trade shows, fairs</li>\r\n<li>Production of videos, DVDs and television shows</li>\r\n<li>TD Employees</li>\r\n<li>2022 and 2023 TD Ready Challenge Grant Recipients</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n"}}" id="text-f4995ee292" class="cmp-text"> Elementary and secondary schools Religious organizations (i.e., organizations whose primary purpose is religious practice or worship).

However, faith-based organizations that provide programs and services for broader community benefit, may be considered.

Sports teams and sporting events Individuals or individual pursuits/fundraising initiatives Recreational groups (lodges, fraternal clubs, self-improvement organizations, etc.) Conferences, trade shows, fairs Production of videos, DVDs and television shows 2022 and 2023 TD Ready Challenge Grant Recipients Challenge Structure and Calendar</h2>\r\n"}}" id="text-3b352e54ac" class="cmp-text"> Challenge Structure and Calendar Final Round Judging Panel</h2>\r\n"}}" id="text-1b022b19ce" class="cmp-text"> Final Round Judging Panel Selected applicants who move into the final round of review will have their applications assessed by our TD North American Executive Judging Panel, consisting of TD executives and external subject matter experts from both Canada and the United States.

</p>\r\n"}}" id="text-976612a64e" class="cmp-text"> Selected applicants who move into the final round of review will have their applications assessed by our TD North American Executive Judging Panel, consisting of TD executives and external subject matter experts from both Canada and the United States.

<a></a><a href=\"#cmp-modal~D2\"></a><a></a><a href=\"#cmp-modal~overlay1\">Legal</a><a href=\"#cmp-modal~D2\"></a></p>\r\n"}}" id="text-c5b7abfe3f" class="cmp-text"> General inquiries</h2>\r\n"}}" id="text-055a1b942a" class="cmp-text"> Must I submit my application using the online grant competition application? Yes. All applications must be submitted electronically via the application portal.

</p>\r\n"}}" id="text-5c754b9e8e" class="cmp-text"> Yes. All applications must be submitted electronically via the application portal. May I advocate for my application in person?

Individual meetings with applicants are not possible. The online submission ensures that all applications are submitted and reviewed in a consistent way. </p>\r\n"}}" id="text-1b164748c1" class="cmp-text"> Individual meetings with applicants are not possible.

The online submission ensures that all applications are submitted and reviewed in a consistent way. Is there someone at TD to review my application before submission? Given the time required to connect with all potential applicants, application reviews are not possible.

The online submission is the best way to manage everybody's time and to ensure that all applications are submitted and reviewed in a consistent way. </p>\r\n"}}" id="text-0b16978c00" class="cmp-text"> Given the time required to connect with all potential applicants, application reviews are not possible.

The online submission is the best way to manage everybody's time and to ensure that all applications are submitted and reviewed in a consistent way. What is the deadline to submit an application? Grant applications must be received by 4:00 p.

m. Eastern Daylight Time on Thursday, September 5, 2024. In fairness to all applicants, late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

Applicants are responsible for allowing enough time when submitting their application to ensure its timely submission. Paper applications will not be accepted. </p>\r\n"}}" id="text-d432703775" class="cmp-text"> Grant applications must be received by 4:00 p.

m. Eastern Daylight Time on Thursday, September 5, 2024. In fairness to all applicants, late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

Applicants are responsible for allowing enough time when submitting their application to ensure its timely submission. Paper applications will not be accepted. Is my US or Canadian organization eligible even if the initiative serves a different country?

No. The initiative proposed needs to be delivered in areas in areas where TD operates. This includes all of Canada, US states within TD's Retail footprint (<a href=\"https://locations. td.

com/us\">map and listing found here</a>), and the Metro Detroit area (Lapeer, Livingston, Macomb, Oakland, St. Clair, and Wayne Counties). </p>\r\n"}}" id="text-63b909845f" class="cmp-text"> No. The initiative proposed needs to be delivered in areas in areas where TD operates.

This includes all of Canada, US states within TD's Retail footprint ( map and listing found here ), and the Metro Detroit area (Lapeer, Livingston, Macomb, Oakland, St. Clair, and Wayne Counties). Submitting the application</h2>\r\n"}}" id="text-aff169c83a" class="cmp-text"> Submitting the application Can I submit multiple 2024 TD Ready Challenge applications?

No. You may submit only one application to the 2024 TD Ready Challenge. Additional applications will not be reviewed. </p>\r\n"}}" id="text-1798d8e320" class="cmp-text"> No. You may submit only one application to the 2024 TD Ready Challenge.

Additional applications will not be reviewed. What financial information must I submit with my application? Your application must be accompanied by your organization's most recent audited financial statement conducted by a public accounting firm/professional, which must have been completed in the past two years.

Important: accountant's reviews of non-audited compilations are not acceptable. </p>\r\n"}}" id="text-506106aafa" class="cmp-text"> Your application must be accompanied by your organization's most recent audited financial statement conducted by a public accounting firm/professional, which must have been completed in the past two years. Important: accountant's reviews of non-audited compilations are not acceptable.

Is my organization still eligible if we do not have all required documents? No. The documentation requested is required in order to submit a complete application. In fairness to all applicants, incomplete applications will not be considered.

</p>\r\n"}}" id="text-72d39d1059" class="cmp-text"> No. The documentation requested is required in order to submit a complete application. In fairness to all applicants, incomplete applications will not be considered. Which file formats are acceptable for the required documents?

All required documents must be in PDF format. The minimum font size for the detailed project application must be 10 point. Excel files will not be accepted.

Your application must be accompanied by your organization's most recent audited financial statement conducted by a public accounting firm/professional, which must have been completed in the past two years, which must be scanned and condensed into a single document. You must not upload separate files as they will not be considered part of the application.

</p>\r\n"}}" id="text-01591fed7d" class="cmp-text"> All required documents must be in PDF format. The minimum font size for the detailed project application must be 10 point. Excel files will not be accepted.

Your application must be accompanied by your organization's most recent audited financial statement conducted by a public accounting firm/professional, which must have been completed in the past two years, which must be scanned and condensed into a single document. You must not upload separate files as they will not be considered part of the application. How will I know that my application has been received?

Shortly after submitting your application, you will receive an e-mail notification confirming your submission. </p>\r\n"}}" id="text-d3aba45041" class="cmp-text"> Shortly after submitting your application, you will receive an e-mail notification confirming your submission. Should I print a copy of my application?

Yes. A copy of your application will be embedded in your e-mail notification confirming your submission. We recommend that you keep a copy of the application for your own records.

However, we ask that you do not send it to us as this may lead to duplicate records. </p>\r\n"}}" id="text-4f827ad6b2" class="cmp-text"> Yes. A copy of your application will be embedded in your e-mail notification confirming your submission.

We recommend that you keep a copy of the application for your own records. However, we ask that you do not send it to us as this may lead to duplicate records. If you receive this error message, please contact a member of your organization's technology staff.

You may need to adjust your computer's settings in order to access the application. </p>\r\n"}}" id="text-b072bcc0ca" class="cmp-text"> If you receive this error message, please contact a member of your organization's technology staff. You may need to adjust your computer's settings in order to access the application.

Can I copy and paste from a Word document into the application? Yes. You can copy information from an existing Word document and paste it into the appropriate text box in the application.

</p>\r\n"}}" id="text-e5efc85a48" class="cmp-text"> Yes. You can copy information from an existing Word document and paste it into the appropriate text box in the application. Evaluation</h2>\r\n"}}" id="text-4ea8968699" class="cmp-text"> What evaluation process will my application go through?

<b>There will be 3 rounds of assessment as follows:</b></p>\r\n<p><b>First Round of Assessment:</b></p>\r\n<p>Following the Submission Deadline Date, an internal TD North American Judging Panel, selected by TD in its sole discretion and consisting of members of the TD Sustainability & Corporate Citizenship team and internal TD employees from both Canada and the United States, will review applications and assess them against the below criteria.

This Panel will select applications to move into the next round of reviews and all applicants, whether successful or not, will be notified of their application status by email. </p>\r\n<table width=\"70%\">\r\n<tbody><tr><th>Assessment Criteria</th>\r\n<th>Weight</th>\r\n</tr><tr><td><b>Strategic alignment</b><br>\r\n<br>\r\nThe need or opportunity described by the applicant aligns with the 2024 Problem Statement.

</td>\r\n<td>30%</td>\r\n</tr><tr><td><b>Feasibility of the proposed plan</b><br>\r\n<br>\r\nThe intended outcomes or results of the 2024 application proposal are feasible considering the activities, resources, and minimum 12-month funding window. The applicant will be in a reasonable position to expand the impact of the 2024 application proposal within 12-36 months.

</td>\r\n<td>30%</td>\r\n</tr><tr><td><b>Well-positioned team</b><br>\r\n<br>\r\nThe mission and/or core activities of the applicant aligns with the 2024 TD Ready Challenge Problem Statement.

The applicant is well-positioned to deliver on intended results and objectives, which includes that the applicant has current established ties with the community in which they are working and/or has the ability to create new ties with communities they may be intending to reach.

</td>\r\n<td>20%</td>\r\n</tr><tr><td><b>Value for money</b><br>\r\n<br>\r\nThe budget is reasonable considering the activities, outputs and scale of the application proposal. </td>\r\n<td>20%</td>\r\n</tr></tbody></table>\r\n<p><b>IMPORTANT:</b> Applicants will not be advised of any of their assessment scores.

</p>\r\n<p><b>Second Round of Assessment:</b></p>\r\n<p>Selected applicants will move into a second round of review completed by an internal TD North American Judging Panel, selected by TD in its sole discretion and consisting of members of the TD Sustainability & Corporate Citizenship team, internal TD colleagues from both Canada and the United States and external subject matter experts from both Canada and the United States.

This Judging Panel will review applications and assess them against the same criteria used for the First Round of Assessment set out above. This Panel will select applications to move into the final round of reviews and all applicants, whether successful or not, will be notified of their application status by email.

</p>\r\n<p><b>Final Round of Assessment:</b></p>\r\n<p>Selected applicants who move into the final round of review will have their applications assessed by our TD North American Executive Judging Panel, consisting of TD executives and external subject matter experts from both Canada and the United States.

</p>\r\n<p>This Judging Panel will review these applications and assess them against the same criteria used for the First Round Assessment set out above plus one additional component involving a TD Employee Voting exercise which will have a 10% weighting.

</p>\r\n<p><b>TD Employee Voting exercise</b></p>\r\n<p>For this TD Employee Voting exercise, applications will be anonymized, summarized and displayed internally so that TD Employees across North America can vote for the application of their choice.

The TD Employee Voting exercise will have a 10% weighting, however this weighting will only be applied provided a minimum of 100 votes are received and the votes demonstrate a thoughtful review of the application in question.

If the TD Employee Voting component is activated, the results of this voting will be provided to the Judging Panel and the weighting of the remaining criteria to be used by the Judging Panel will be adjusted as set out below. If the TD Employee Voting component is not activated, then the Judging Panel will review applications and assess them against the same criteria used for the First Round of Assessment set out above.

</p>\r\n<p>Selected applicants may be asked to prepare supplementary materials for review by the Judging Panel as part of the Final Round of Assessment. Successful applicants will be contacted by email by the end of January 2025.

</p>\r\n<table width=\"70%\">\r\n<tbody><tr><th>Assessment Criteria</th>\r\n<th>Weight</th>\r\n</tr><tr><td><b>Strategic alignment</b><br>\r\n<br>\r\nThe need or opportunity described by the applicant aligns with the 2024 Problem Statement. </td>\r\n<td>27.

5%</td>\r\n</tr><tr><td><b>Feasibility of the proposed plan</b><br>\r\n<br>\r\nThe intended outcomes or results of the 2024 application proposal are feasible considering the activities, resources, and minimum 12-month funding window. The applicant will be in a reasonable position to expand the impact of the 2024 application proposal within 12-36 months. </td>\r\n<td>27.

5%</td>\r\n</tr><tr><td><b>Well-positioned team</b><br>\r\n<br>\r\nThe mission and/or core activities of the applicant aligns with the 2024 TD Ready Challenge Problem Statement.

The applicant is well-positioned to deliver on intended results and objectives, which includes that the applicant has current established ties with the community in which they are working and/or has the ability to create new ties with communities they may be intending to reach. </td>\r\n<td>17.

5%</td>\r\n</tr><tr><td><b>Value for money</b><br>\r\n<br>\r\nThe budget is reasonable considering the activities, outputs and scale of the application proposal. </td>\r\n<td>17. 5%</td>\r\n</tr><tr><td><b>TD Employee Voting Component</b></td>\r\n<td>10%</td>\r\n</tr></tbody></table>\r\n<p><b>IMPORTANT:</b> Applicants will not be advised of any of their assessment scores.

In addition, a financial analysis of the organization may be conducted to measure the financial health of the organization.

</p>\r\n"}}" id="text-50ca962951" class="cmp-text"> There will be 3 rounds of assessment as follows: First Round of Assessment: Following the Submission Deadline Date, an internal TD North American Judging Panel, selected by TD in its sole discretion and consisting of members of the TD Sustainability & Corporate Citizenship team and internal TD employees from both Canada and the United States, will review applications and assess them against the below criteria.

This Panel will select applications to move into the next round of reviews and all applicants, whether successful or not, will be notified of their application status by email. The need or opportunity described by the applicant aligns with the 2024 Problem Statement.

Feasibility of the proposed plan The intended outcomes or results of the 2024 application proposal are feasible considering the activities, resources, and minimum 12-month funding window. The applicant will be in a reasonable position to expand the impact of the 2024 application proposal within 12-36 months. The mission and/or core activities of the applicant aligns with the 2024 TD Ready Challenge Problem Statement.

The applicant is well-positioned to deliver on intended results and objectives, which includes that the applicant has current established ties with the community in which they are working and/or has the ability to create new ties with communities they may be intending to reach. The budget is reasonable considering the activities, outputs and scale of the application proposal.

IMPORTANT: Applicants will not be advised of any of their assessment scores.

Second Round of Assessment: Selected applicants will move into a second round of review completed by an internal TD North American Judging Panel, selected by TD in its sole discretion and consisting of members of the TD Sustainability & Corporate Citizenship team, internal TD colleagues from both Canada and the United States and external subject matter experts from both Canada and the United States.

This Judging Panel will review applications and assess them against the same criteria used for the First Round of Assessment set out above. This Panel will select applications to move into the final round of reviews and all applicants, whether successful or not, will be notified of their application status by email.

Final Round of Assessment: Selected applicants who move into the final round of review will have their applications assessed by our TD North American Executive Judging Panel, consisting of TD executives and external subject matter experts from both Canada and the United States.

This Judging Panel will review these applications and assess them against the same criteria used for the First Round Assessment set out above plus one additional component involving a TD Employee Voting exercise which will have a 10% weighting.

TD Employee Voting exercise For this TD Employee Voting exercise, applications will be anonymized, summarized and displayed internally so that TD Employees across North America can vote for the application of their choice.

The TD Employee Voting exercise will have a 10% weighting, however this weighting will only be applied provided a minimum of 100 votes are received and the votes demonstrate a thoughtful review of the application in question.

If the TD Employee Voting component is activated, the results of this voting will be provided to the Judging Panel and the weighting of the remaining criteria to be used by the Judging Panel will be adjusted as set out below. If the TD Employee Voting component is not activated, then the Judging Panel will review applications and assess them against the same criteria used for the First Round of Assessment set out above.

Selected applicants may be asked to prepare supplementary materials for review by the Judging Panel as part of the Final Round of Assessment. Successful applicants will be contacted by email by the end of January 2025. The need or opportunity described by the applicant aligns with the 2024 Problem Statement.

Feasibility of the proposed plan The intended outcomes or results of the 2024 application proposal are feasible considering the activities, resources, and minimum 12-month funding window. The applicant will be in a reasonable position to expand the impact of the 2024 application proposal within 12-36 months. The mission and/or core activities of the applicant aligns with the 2024 TD Ready Challenge Problem Statement.

The applicant is well-positioned to deliver on intended results and objectives, which includes that the applicant has current established ties with the community in which they are working and/or has the ability to create new ties with communities they may be intending to reach. The budget is reasonable considering the activities, outputs and scale of the application proposal.

TD Employee Voting Component IMPORTANT: Applicants will not be advised of any of their assessment scores. In addition, a financial analysis of the organization may be conducted to measure the financial health of the organization. When are funding decisions made?

Final funding decisions will be made by the TD North American Executive Judging Panel. Successful recipients will be announced in Early 2025. </p>\r\n"}}" id="text-040d694275" class="cmp-text"> Final funding decisions will be made by the TD North American Executive Judging Panel.

Successful recipients will be announced in Early 2025. How will applications for the competition be evaluated? <b>There will be 3 rounds of assessment as follows:</b></p>\r\n<p><b>First Round of Assessment:</b></p>\r\n<p>Following the Submission Deadline Date, an internal TD North American Judging Panel, selected by TD in its sole discretion and consisting of members