Community Grants program
On this page
- Overview
- Community Project Grants
- Community Investment Grants
- Advice for applicants
- Frequently asked questions
- Past recipients
Applications for the 2024 Community Grants Program closed on December 6, 2023 (noon). Applications will reopen in the fall of 2024. To receive an alert when this webpage is updated, please subscribe to this page by clicking on the 'Subscribe to this page' button on the right hand side.
The City of Peterborough's Community Grants provide funding to non-profit, community-based organizations that deliver direct programs, services, or activities that improve the quality of life for our residents. The grants support activities in the areas of social services and health, arts, culture, heritage, recreation, and the environment.
To apply for a Community Grant, you must fill out the online application when the call for applications is open. We call for applications each year.
The two Community Grants streams are:
-
Community Project Grants – support for specified project for which the requested amount is $250 to $1,000
-
Community Investment Grants – support for projects and special events, specific programs or operating budgets for which the requested amount is $1,000 to $15,000
Have a question?
You can contact the Community Services department at 705-742-7777 ext. 1822 or email communitygrants@peterborough.ca if you have any questions.
Community Grant streams
| Community Project Grants |
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It is a competitive process. The requests for funding may be more than the available funding. Applicants are not guaranteed funding. Senior City staff review the applications and make recommendations to City Council for approval.
The intent is that the grant is seed money for a project or special event. The funding is available once a year.
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Eligibility criteria
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To be eligible for funding, applicants must:
First-time applicants must apply for and receive a grant in the Project Grant category for at least two years (in the last five years) before they can apply for an Investment Grant.
Allocated funding must be used within the year it is granted.
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| Not eligible for a Community Project Grant |
The following are not eligible for a Community Project Grant:
- Organizations receiving a Community Investment Grants or Community Service Grant
- Individuals
- For-profit businesses
- Organizations with political affiliations
- Organizations serving as funding sources for others, e.g. Service Clubs
- Faith organizations where services/activities include the promotion and/or required adherence to a faith
- Hospitals, clinic-based services or medical treatment programs
- Fundraising events
- School boards, primary and secondary schools, post secondary institutions
- Programs within legislated mandates of other government or city departments
- Provincial/national organizations, unless a local chapter exists to service the residents of Peterborough
- Organizations receiving 80% or more of funding from senior levels of government
- Organizations that conduct the majority of their activities outside of the City
- Costs for major capital equipment/renovations, minor renovations, and financing of deficits
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Applications for either funding program will be adjudicated on the following criteria and weighted as follows:
- Community Need: Organization demonstrates its understanding of current community needs and addresses these through its activities and partnerships in the application in a diverse, equitable and inclusive manner – 25%
- Financial Viability: Demonstrated sound financial management and revenue generation (accurate records, responsible budget, various sources of income; if deficit, then reduction plan); Operating surpluses or reserve accounts should not exceed 25% of total operating without acceptable explanation, e.g., capital campaign); Board and staff skills are appropriate for this size and scope of organization and ensuring the success of the application – 25%
- City Priorities, Feasibility and Evaluation: The application meets one or more City priorities and participant priorities within target sectors (as outlined on the application forms), the organization has the feasibility to complete the proposed activity or service, and has identified accountability/mechanism for evaluation (identification of key performance measures and outcomes) – 20%
- Strategic Direction and Previous Funding: Organization identifies benchmarks and goals for organizational development. The organization has plans to sustain and develop its audience, service and or participants (specific to Investment Grants) The application has adequately demonstrated the impact of previous year’s funding support. – 15%
- Other Funding/Community Support: Funding from various levels of government, foundations, support or sponsorship from other organizations, local businesses, industry, service clubs; and evidence and impact of community collaboration, partnerships – 15%
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| Community Investment Grants |
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It is a competitive process. Requests for funding each year are for much more than the available funding. Applicants are not guaranteed funding. The Community Investment Grant Advisory Committee reviews the applications. City Council appoints community members, representatives from the arts, culture, heritage, social services, health, environment and recreation sectors, and a community member with a financial background to serve on the committee. City staff prepare the final recommendations for Council’s consideration.
The intent is that the City investment supports larger projects or special events, specific programs of larger organizations, or operating budgets.
| Eligibility Criteria |
|
To be eligible for funding, applicants must:
- be incorporated as a not-for-profit organization with a local Board of Directors;
- be not-for-profits that are located, and conduct the majority of their activities, within the geographic boundaries of the City;
- have sustained a history of activity over two years prior, normally achieved as past recipient of at least two Community Project grants (within the last five years);
- have demonstrated sound financial management, good standing with the City, and submit one the following financial documents; Audited financial statement, a Notice to Reader or a profit and loss statement;
- be able to demonstrate that they provide those services and programs in an effective, accessible, open, and inclusive manner
- not receiving more than one additional source of City funding/support
Allocated funding must be used within the year it is granted
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| Not eligible for a Community Investment Grant |
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The following are not eligible for a Community Investment Grant:
- New unincorporated not-for-profit organizations or not-for-profits receiving a Community Project Grant or incorporated not-for-profits receiving a Community Service Grant
- Individuals
- For-profit businesses
- Organizations with political affiliations
- Organizations serving as funding sources for others, e.g. service clubs
- Faith organizations where services/activities include the promotion and/or required adherence to a faith
- Hospitals, clinic-based services or medical treatment programs
- Fundraising events
- School boards, primary and secondary schools, post-secondary institutions
- Programs within legislated mandates of other government or city departments
- Provincial/national organizations unless a local chapter exists to service the residents of Peterborough
- Organizations receiving 80% or more of funding from senior levels of government
- Organizations that conduct the majority of their activities outside of the City
- Costs for major capital equipment/renovations, minor renovations, and financing of deficits
|
Applications for either funding program will be adjudicated on the following criteria and weighted as follows:
- Community Need: Organization demonstrates its understanding of current community needs and addresses these through its activities and partnerships in the application in a diverse, equitable, and inclusive manner – 25%
- Financial Viability: Demonstrated sound financial management and revenue generation (accurate records, responsible budget, various sources of income; if deficit, then reduction plan); Operating surpluses or reserve accounts should not exceed 25% of total operating without acceptable explanation, e.g., capital campaign); Board and staff skills are appropriate for this size and scope of organization and ensuring the success of the application – 25%
- City Priorities, Feasibility and Evaluation: The application meets one or more City priorities and participant priorities within target sectors (as outlined on the application forms), the organization has the feasibility to complete the proposed activity or service, and has identified accountability/mechanism for evaluation (identification of key performance measures and outcomes) – 20%
- Strategic Direction and Previous Funding: Organization identifies benchmarks and goals for organizational development. The organization has plans to sustain and develop its audience, service and or participants (specific to Investment Grants) The application has adequately demonstrated the impact of previous year’s funding support. – 15%
- Other Funding/Community Support: Funding from various levels of government, foundations, support or sponsorship from other organizations, local businesses, industry, service clubs; and evidence and impact of community collaboration, partnerships – 15%
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Please review the full Community Grants Information and Guidelines document. You can contact the Community Services department at 705-742-7777 ext. 1822 or email communitygrants@peterborough.ca if you have any questions.
Advice for applicants and F.A.Q.s
| Advice for applicants |
- Self assessment first:
- Do you really need the funding? (surplus/deficit/reserve)
- Can you generate revenue from any of your programs or services? (sales, admissions, sponsorships)
- Can you generate surplus revenue through fundraising (donations, special events, volunteerism)
- The Canada Revenue Agency will consider the ratio of fundraising cost to fundraising totals as follows:
- Under 35% no questions or concerns
- 35% or greater the Canada Revenue Agency will review trends, the higher the ratio the more likely there will be questions
- 70% or greater the fundraising costs are unlikely to be accepted without reasonable explanation
- Look at eligibility and fit
- Review the Community Grants Guidelines
- Review the Criteria applications are adjudicated on (on this website and in the Community grants guidelines)
- Talk to City staff to ask for advice and direction
- When entering data, save often!
- The way you complete the application reflects on the organization
- Don’t cut and paste from last year’s application
- Be realistic with your request
- Explain and justify increases
- Balanced budget or explain a deficit or surplus
- Decision is based on the information you provide
- When in doubt, call Community Services at 705-742-7777 ext. 1822 or email communitygrants@peterborough.ca
- Give specific information
- Don’t leave it until the last minute - as applications cannot be accepted after the deadline
- If unsuccessful with your application, get feedback and keep trying
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| Frequently Asked Questions |
| Will you contact me if I have not fully completed the application or sufficiently answered a question? |
| The online version of the application is designed to prevent omissions. The format of the application will now require applicants to be succinct. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that the information is accurate and provides sufficient response. City staff will still be reviewing all applications and may contact applicants for clarification. |
| Do we have to be incorporated to apply for an Investment Grant? |
| Incorporation is now a requirement to obtain a Community Investment Grant. |
| Is it to my advantage to submit my application in duo-tangs or presentation folders? |
| No, each committee member evaluating applications will be reviewing the applications electronically. Paper copies are not required. |
| I am getting an error message once the application times out and I can't seem to enter new information. What should I do? |
| Please log out and login again. Information can not be added after the application times out. Also, remember to save your application often as any information entered, that was not saved, will also be lost. |
| I am having difficulty uploading documents. When I try and attach a document, nothing happens. |
| Please ensure that you click on the Choose File button, then choose your file, and then click on the Attach button. Files should then be uploaded. |
| Is it OK to hand-write applications? |
| No, the online application process must be used. |
| We have been saving money for a new building. Do we have to include that in our financial information? |
| Yes, include it as a surplus or as a reserve fund, but explain. |
| If we do not apply for a couple of years, but were funded at least twice previously, can we re-apply for an investment grant? |
| Applicants must have received two years funding within the last five years. |
| If our funding is for one program within our organization, do we need to include budget information for the entire organization? |
| Yes, we need to review the entire budget and sources of the organization’s funding to determine eligibility. |
| Can we be assured that we will be granted funding in the amount we require? |
| This is a competitive process and all funding decisions are made at the same time by the evaluation committee. No one is guaranteed an amount of funding in advance. |
| If the program or event we need funding for is held in January or February of the next year, is that OK? |
| As long as you are consistent in the timing of the expenditure of funds from year to year, there is no problem. At no time will you be allowed to use City funding twice in a 12-month period. |
| If we have applied for a project grant two years in a row, but were not approved, can we apply for an Investment Grant the next year? |
| No, an organization that is new to the Community Investment Grant stream must have completed two successful years in the Project Grant category (within the last five years) and then meet all of the Investment Grant eligibility criteria before applying for an Investment Grant. |
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Have a question?
You can also contact the Community Services Department at 705-742-7777 ext. 1822 or email communitygrants@peterborough.ca if you have further questions.
Past recipients
2023 Community Grants
Council approved awarding $20,655 in Community Project Grants to various community groups and $148,828 in Community Investment Grants to various local charitable and not-for-profit organizations. The grants will be provided to 48 groups and organizations.
The grants support activities in the areas of social services and health, arts, culture, heritage, recreation, and the environment.
The City received 41 applications for Community Project Grants and 28 applications were approved. It received 25 applications for Community Investment Grants and 20 were approved.
| 2023 Community Project Grants |
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The Project Grant committee that reviewed Community Project Grant applications was comprised of six City staff members.
Social services
| Recipient | Funding |
|---|
| Community Fridge Nogojiwanong/Peterborough |
$775 |
| Dalhousie Youth Support Services |
$400 |
| Hearts 4 Joy Skills Development Project |
$675 |
| Kawartha Haliburton Children's Foundation |
$1,000 |
| Operation Catnip Peterborough |
$1,000 |
| Peterborough Gleans |
$1,000 |
| Peterborough Veterinary Outreach |
$1,000
|
Arts
| Recipient | Funding |
|---|
| Creepy Doll Museum |
$650 |
| Kawartha Potters Guild |
$675 |
| Nogojiwanong Indigenous Fringe Festival |
$1,000 |
| Peterborough Friends in Music Community Band |
$750 |
| Show and Tell Poetry Series |
$775 |
| The River Magazine |
$800 |
Environment
| Recipient | Funding |
|---|
| Ashburnham Memorial Stewardship Group |
$450 |
| Bird Friendly Peterborough (BFP) |
$430 |
| Kawartha Wildlife Centre |
$700 |
| Sheet Seven Community Garden |
$750 |
| Trent Vegetable Gardens |
$900 |
Sports
| Recipient | Funding |
|---|
| FairPlay Sports |
$625 |
| Kawartha Lakes Lightning Athletic Club Inc. |
$600 |
| Peterborough City Soccer Association |
$750 |
| Peterborough Swim Club |
$475 |
Health
| Recipient | Funding |
|---|
| Food for Kids Peterborough and County Student Nutrition Programs |
$1,000 |
| ME/FM Association of Peterborough & District |
$350 |
| Quilts for Cancer Peterborough County |
$900 |
Culture
| Recipient | Funding |
|---|
| Peterborough Chinese Community Organization |
$775 |
| Ukrainian Community of Peterborough and the Kawarthas - UCPK |
$675 |
Recreation
| Recipient | Funding |
|---|
| Peterborough Pickleball Association |
$775 |
|
| 2023 Community Investment Grants |
|
The Investment Grant committee that reviewed applications for Community Investment Grants was comprised of two City Councillors and 11 citizen appointments.
Arts
| Recipient | Funding | 1 or 3 year grant |
|---|
| ReFrame Film Festival |
$15,000 |
3 |
| Kawartha Youth Orchestra |
$12,460 |
1 |
| Public Energy Performing Arts |
$9,900 |
3 |
| New Stages Peterborough |
$9,900 |
1 |
| The Art School of Peterborough |
$8,250 |
1 |
| Peterborough Concert Band |
$5,000 |
3 |
| Peterborough Children's Chorus |
$3,960 |
1 |
| SPARK Photo Festival |
$3,000 |
1 |
| Creating Space Community Arts Studio |
$2,758 |
1 |
Culture
| Recipient | Funding | 1 or 3 year grant |
|---|
| Trent Radio |
$9,900 |
1 |
Environment
| Recipient | Funding | 1 or 3 year grant |
|---|
| Kawartha World Issues Centre |
$7,500 |
1 |
| Camp Kawartha |
$5,500 |
1 |
| Peterborough Bicycle Advisory Committee (P-BAC) |
$2,000 |
1 |
| Transition Town Peterborough |
$1,000 |
1 |
Heritage
| Recipient | Funding | 1 or 3 year grant |
|---|
| P. R. Community & Student Association (Sadleir House Facility) |
$5,000 |
1 |
Social services
| Recipient | Funding | 1 or 3 year grant |
|---|
| Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre (KSAC) |
$13,000 |
1 |
| Elizabeth Fry Society of Peterborough |
$12,460 |
1 |
| B!KE: The Peterborough Community Bike Shop |
$7,000 |
3 |
| Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peterborough |
$6,000 |
1 |
Sports
| Recipient | Funding | 1 or 3 year grant |
|---|
| Kawartha Komets Special Needs Hockey Program |
$9,240 |
1 |
Community Investment Grants already approved as multi-year funding
Arts: year 2 of 3
| Recipient | Funding |
|---|
| The Peterborough Academy of Circus Arts |
$15,000
|
Social services: year 2 of 3
| Recipient | Funding |
|---|
| The Down Syndrome Association of Peterborough |
$8,000 |
| Heads Up for Inclusion |
$8,000 |
Arts: year 3 of 3
| Recipient | Funding |
|---|
| Peterborough Symphony Orchestra |
$13,000 |
| The Peterborough Singers |
$5,500 |
Social services: year 3 of 3
| Recipient | Funding |
|---|
| Bedford House / Greenwood United |
$7,000 |
| Telecare Distress Centre of Peterborough Inc |
$7,000 |
| PARD Therapeutic Riding |
$3,500 |
|
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