Community cash grants

The cash grants program is available to organizations that encourage recreation, sports, arts, culture, festivals and neighbourhood participation.

On this page

  1. Eligibility requirements
  2. Types of grants
  3. Application requirements
  4. Apply online
  5. Approval process
  6. Other grants

The Community Cash Grant is available for not-for-profit and community organizations that play important roles in providing programs and services to our community. 

Eligibility requirements

  • the organization must benefit the community through recreation and sports, arts and culture, festivals and events or neighbourhoods
  • be organized for a minimum of 1 year and be in compliance with all applicable legislation, regulations and bylaws for all levels of government
  • must submit a complete application form providing all documents by required deadline

For complete grant information see the Community Cash Grant Policy (PDF).

Due to COVID-19 we are providing more flexibility in the use of grants and organizations are welcome to apply for funds supporting one or more of the following:

  • purchasing PPE equipment for staff or volunteers
  • shifting operations to be in compliance with public health and provincial guidelines
  • transitioning programs and events that follow public health and provincial guidelines
  • other innovative projects to help recover and/or adapt to the current environment

If you have any questions regarding your organization's eligibility please contact:

Types of grants

The maximum amount of funding a group can receive for either an operating or a project grant is $5000 for this grant cycle.

Requests in excess of $5000 for either an operating or a project grant will not be considered. It is possible to apply for both an operating and a project grant. The total maximum amount any one organization can request is $10,000.

If a grant request total is $7500 or more organizations more must provide:

  1. Professionally reviewed financial statement for the previous year.
  2. Must show proof of incorporation or proof of incorporation under an umbrella organization.

Operating grants are:

  • ongoing costs that support day-to-day working of your organization
  • growing or expanding your programs and/or copying an existing program in another location, or at another time
  • programs funded as a project in a past year

Examples of operating grants are: rent, insurance, telephone and Internet service, equipment for core services / community programs, salaries for staff or services, volunteer recruitment, training and office supplies / equipment. 

Project grants are:

  • one time, temporary projects with a specific objective
  • are completed in a set timeframe with a clear beginning and end
  • do not take longer than a year
  • they must differ from your core services or programs 

Examples of projects grants are events or activities.

Application requirements

Before beginning the cash grant application form, below is a list of the main sections of the form for your organization to prepare.

Documentation and information required in the Community Cash Grant application
  1. Know what type of grant you are applying for and how much funds you are asking for.
  2. If your organization is developing or in transition:
    1. Developing: formed within the past 3 years and have been operating for at least 1 year prior to the deadline of the application
    2. Organizations in transition: established organizations or organizations undergoing a substantial change in direction over the next 1-3 years in order to enhance organizational resiliency
  3. Information describing services you provide to the community through your activities, projects and events, including demographics and the future goals of your organization using up to 2400 characters.
  4. The year your organization was established, if it is directed by an elected volunteer board of directors or executive committee, and the list of those members.
  5. How your organization accommodates / subsidizes low income residents using up to 750 characters.
  6. How you accommodate those with disabilities using up to 750 characters.
  7. How you keep community members safe using up to 750 characters.
  8. If you have paid staff, whether they are full or part time and if you have any volunteer staff, and how many of each.
  9. How many members you serve (whether directly or as audience members) and in what area of the Waterloo you service your members, or surrounding Regions.
  10. How your organization benefits the community of Waterloo through engaging citizens, reaching diverse populations, improving quality of life, economic impact, building community and offering unique programming using up to 2400 characters.
  11. How you will evaluate your programs success using up to 750 characters.
  12. Organization's income statement and balance sheet for the most recent year-end financial statements.
  13. A list of all other funding requests or sponsors you have applied to and if your request has been approved or not. 
  14. A list of any partner organizations you collaborate with, the purpose of collaboration and when the relationship began.
  15. If planning to use funds for COVID-19 purposes, you will be asked how it will be used, using up to 750 characters. 
  16. Based on the funding request you choose, you will be required to:
Operating grant Project grant

Describe how the grant will assist your organization to attain your goals and objectives using up to 3000 characters.                              

Proposed project and description including a brief timeline/work plan using up to 4800 characters. Projects must be different from/or in addition to current core services or programs. Must include a project name.
You will need to provide an operating budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

You will need to provide a revenue and expenses budget breakdown directly associated with the project.
  If your project is intended to be ongoing, you will need to explain the reason for continuation using up to 750 characters.

 

Apply online

Applications are due on Tuesday December 1, 2020 at 2:00 p.m.

In order to apply online you will need an email address and some time. You will be able to save the form and come back to it.

Apply for cash grant online

Any questions regarding the application process can be directed to Lynn at lynn.dicksegley@waterloo.ca

Approval process

The volunteer grants committee will only consider an application that is complete, fits a funding category, includes all required information and meets the deadline. The 2021 round of applications will be notified in February 2021. 

Other grants

Visit our neighbourhoods page for information on other types of grants.