TORONTO, Nov. 23 /CNW/ - The TD Friends of the Environment Foundation (TD FEF) is proudly celebrating 20 years of funding grassroots environment and wildlife projects nationwide. To help mark this milestone anniversary, TD FEF today announced that it will award four special grants of $5,000 each to support capacity-building within environmental charities.

"During our cross-country community forum tour earlier this year, our partner organizations told us that they need assistance in organizational capacity building," shared TD FEF Executive Director Mary Desjardins. "What better way to mark our 20^th year than by recognizing the exceptional work of some of the many wonderful organizations that work towards a more sustainable Canada."

How the TD FEF 20^th Anniversary Grant Program Works
Canadian environmental charities are invited to submit a grant application to TD FEF that describes (in 300 words or less) how their organization has demonstrated creativity and leadership in one of the following four areas:

• Fundraising
• Volunteer Engagement
• Innovation
• Organizational Leadership

One $5,000 grant will be awarded in each category. To be eligible to win a grant, the applicant organization must be a registered Canadian charity with an environmental focus.

How to apply
Applications should be sent by email to tdfefaward@td.com with the subject "TD FEF 20th Anniversary Grants". The nomination must also be posted to the TD FEF Facebook page.

Applications must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. EST on Friday, December 17, 2010. Grant recipients will be notified by 5:00 p.m. EST on Friday, January 7, 2011.

For more information, please email tdfefaward@td.com.

About TD Friends of the Environment Foundation:
Since 1990, TD FEF has provided more than $53 million in funding to over 19,000 grassroots environment and wildlife projects across Canada. Thousands of donors give to TD FEF on a monthly basis and TD Bank Financial Group contributes in excess of $1 million annually. TD also covers the management costs of running TD FEF, which guarantees 100 per cent of every dollar donated goes directly to funding environment and wildlife projects in the community where the donation was made. For more information on how to donate and get involved in your community, visit www.tdfef.com.