Deadline: 12-May-23
The United Way Halton & Hamilton’s (UWHH) is pleased to announce the Seed Grant Stream which aims to cultivate new ideas and growth in the social sector.
Funding supports capacity building and innovation processes focused on amplifying impact and transformation.
The application process embeds diversity, equity and inclusion considerations throughout. Organizations led by equity-deserving populations are encouraged to apply. To support any team in deciding whether their initiative is a good fit, they are offering application coaching.
Key Features
- Open to registered charities, but can represent non-profits, partnerships or networks.
- Applicant’s mission aligns with one or more of their focus areas, and benefits Halton and/or Hamilton communities.
- Supports diverse pathways for capacity building and transformation based on where an applicant is at, and the relative degree of change and impact they’re pursuing.
- Offers supportive granting features including application feedback, submission options (e.g. videos), learning-based reporting, and grant advisory sessions.
- Flexibility to adapt budgets, outcomes and timelines alongside emerging needs.
- Grantee-determined outcomes that align with unique contexts and impact objectives.
- Focused on different levels of growth, including learning from successes and failures.
- Sector advancement with grantee commitment to share key insights externally.
- Grantees with strong outcomes can apply for a 50% grant top to action next steps.
Focus Areas & Investment Priorities
- Poverty to Possibility
- United Way helps to meet the basic needs of the most vulnerable people in their communities. Through their supported programs, they help individuals become economically independent, access affordable goods and services, and develop skills to prepare for a better future.
- Employment and Financial Security
- Food Security
- United Way helps to meet the basic needs of the most vulnerable people in their communities. Through their supported programs, they help individuals become economically independent, access affordable goods and services, and develop skills to prepare for a better future.
- All That Kids Can Be
- Children and youth face many barriers that can prevent their healthy development and achievement. For example, poverty, bullying, social exclusion, and lack of academic support can negatively impact their chances of success. United Way helps children and youth realize their full potential.
- Youth Supports
- Family Supports
- Children and youth face many barriers that can prevent their healthy development and achievement. For example, poverty, bullying, social exclusion, and lack of academic support can negatively impact their chances of success. United Way helps children and youth realize their full potential.
- Healthy People, Strong Communities
- Wellness and belonging are the foundation of strong communities for everyone, regardless of age, race, ability, income or personal experience.Good mental health boosts their ability to deal with challenges. Similarly, people thrive when they are valued in community.
- Mental Health & Safety
- Community Inclusion
- Wellness and belonging are the foundation of strong communities for everyone, regardless of age, race, ability, income or personal experience.Good mental health boosts their ability to deal with challenges. Similarly, people thrive when they are valued in community.
Funding Information
- This pilot launch involves a funding pool of $500,000; limited grants will be available.
Eligibility Criteria
- The Seed Grant is for agencies or collaborative groups driving social impact. Applications involving more than one lead agency (e.g., partnerships, collaborative groups, networks) must designate one registered charity as the lead applicant and grant holder.
- You are eligible for the grant if you meet all of the following criteria:
- Registered charity, or a non-profit with a registered charity as a fiscal sponsor
- Mission aligns with one or more of United Way’s focus areas
- Proposed initiative benefits Halton and/or Hamilton, Ontario
- Good governance and financial accountability
- Proposed project aligns with Seed Grant priorities
- Proposal is clear, impactful and feasible to implement within budget requested
- Agency embeds diversity, equity and inclusion considerations
- Agency demonstrates commitment to evaluation and sharing learnings
Ineligible
- You are not eligible if any of the following apply:
- Agencies without a registered charitable number, unless sponsored by another eligible registered charitable agency/organization
- For-profit organizations
- Business non-profit institutions, including business associations, chambers of commerce, and condominium associations
- Provincial/territorial entities, including hospitals, medical centres, schools, private schools, universities, colleges, health authorities, public health authorities, health/social services institutions
- Municipalities and entities controlled by a municipality including municipal governments, regional governments, and regional districts
- Environmental, heritage, or arts agencies with missions and outcomes that are explicitly environmental, heritage or arts focused and do not align with UWHH’s Focus Areas
- Faith based entities, political parties, or organizations that require adherence to or promotion of a religious faith or political affiliation as a condition of receiving services
- Individuals
For more information, visit UWHH.