Deadline: 16-Dec-20
The City of Kitchener offers community grant opportunities to not for profit community organizations and groups that provide services in the areas of arts and culture/special events, community support and development, and minor sports and recreation. Sports grants are offered to affiliated minor sports groups who provide programming to youth 18 years of age and under.
The City of Kitchener recognizes the fundamental importance of working side by side with these groups and organizations, continually reaffirming the appropriate roles for all parties. Sometimes the municipality is best able to marshal and deliver community-wide services. In other circumstances, community groups and organizations are much closer to understanding the evolving needs and interests of residents, and hence better able to provide services specifically tailored to those needs.
Grant Purpose
The purpose of Tier 2 grants is to provide funding for:
- Operating support to enable the provision of the basic service of the organization;
- Project support;
- Special event support;
- Equipment support.
Grant Criteria
Tier 2 services must meet the following criteria:
- Services provided by the organization/group for which funding is requested must demonstrably meet the Council’s strategic objectives as documented in the City of Kitchener Strategic Plan and other policy documents.
- Services provided by the organization/group for which funding is requested must be considered a municipal responsibility and not be the responsibility of other levels of government; services such as health care, social services, training and education are not eligible.
- Services provided by the organization/group for which funding is requested must not be precluded under the Municipal Act, e.g. religious services.
- Services provided by the organization/group for which funding is requested must not already be provided by the City or by other groups funded by the City of Kitchener; requests from organizations/groups that provide similar services as provided by the municipality must be assessed as to whether there is a duplication of services; the municipality will not issue grants for services that conflict with or are in direct competition with programs operated internally.
- Services provided by the organization/group for which funding is requested must be provided directly to the citizens of Kitchener, i.e. grants are for direct programs only. Grant applications from organizations that themselves distribute grants to other organizations will not be considered, i.e. fundraising events are not eligible. Service clubs are eligible to apply for funding if the purpose of the event they are sponsoring is deemed to be a municipal responsibility and the event is city-wide, targeted toward a broad cross-section of the community.
- Grant applications submitted by individuals or ‘part groups’ of an organization/group will not be considered.
- Volunteer organizations/groups planning an event to raise funds to support an organization/group that is receiving a City of Kitchener grant will be not considered for Tier 2 funding.
- Organizations/groups applying for funding who offer services to residents outside of the City of Kitchener are strongly encouraged to also approach all other relevant municipalities for funding.
- Organizations/groups wishing to be considered for community grants Tier 2 do not need to be incorporated as not for profit corporations; however, budgets and subsequent accounting must not show an excess of revenue over expenses; applicants must demonstrate the capability to manage and govern the program or project, usually evidenced by the existence of an executive committee or coordinating board.
- Organizations/groups are encouraged to ensure as much inclusive public participation and access as possible, e.g. minimum charge or no admission charge whenever possible.
- Any organization/group applying for funds will give regard to the inclusion and accommodation of persons with a disability.
- Any organization/group applying for funds that is in arrears and/or in litigation with the City of Kitchener is ineligible.
Application Process
- The application window typically opens in October and closes in December.
- To apply, eligible groups submit fully completed application forms by the deadline.
- Interested community groups are welcome to attend a meeting to learn more about the program and the application process held in advance of the application deadline.
Grant allocation process
- Following the application deadline, a Peer and Staff Review Committee (made up of community volunteers and city staff), evaluates the applications and makes recommendations regarding grant amounts. As requests regularly exceed available funds, the committee must make decisions within budget availability.
- Applicant groups are advised of the Peer and Staff Review Committee’s grant recommendations, and the available appeal process.
For more information, visit https://www.kitchener.ca/en/city-services/community-grants.aspx#Program-overview