Community Grants

Cenotaph

COVID-19 and Community Grants: It is recognized that impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic may have an effect on an organizations ability to operate in the same way as usual. Please be aware that this will be taken into consideration during the review of each application.

Applications for the 2023 Community Grants have now closed.  Please contact the Community Services Department at 705-742-7777 ext. 1822 or email  communitygrants@peterborough.ca if you have any further questions.

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 three 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 

  • Community Service Grants – support for municipally mandated services for which the requested amount is more than $15,000 (Community Service Grants are not available through the application process as the City initiates agreements for this funding)

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

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. Applicants may make a delegation to City Council, but there is no guarantee that this would change the outcome of the funding recommendations.

The intent is that the grant is seed money for a project or special event. The funding is available once a year. 

COVID-19 and Community Grants:  It is recognized that impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic may have an effect on an organizations ability to operate in the same way as usual. Please be aware that this will be taken into consideration during the review of each application. 

Eligibility criteria 

To be eligible for funding, applicants must:

  • be new or existing, incorporated or unincorporated not-for-profit organizations or neighbourhood associations; and 

  • be located and conduct the majority of activities within the geographic boundaries of the City of Peterborough.

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.
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
 Applicants should demonstrate:
  • one or more City priorities and participant priorities within target sectors (as outlined on the application forms);
  • community need for proposed activity or service;
  • community support (funding support or sponsorship from other organizations, local businesses, industry, service clubs);
  • community benefit/impact;
  • financial need (operating surpluses or reserve accounts should not exceed 25% of total operating without acceptable explanation, e.g., capital campaign);
  • sound financial management and revenue generation (accurate records, responsible budget, various sources of income; if deficit, then reduction plan);
  • accountability/mechanism for evaluation (identification of key performance measures and outcomes);
  • feasibility (organization’s ability to complete the proposed activity or service);
  • evidence of community collaboration, partnerships;
  • impact of previous year’s funding support.
Community Investment Grants

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.

The funding is available once a year but applicants can apply for three-year funding with no additional annual increases. Organizations must be in operation for at least five years before applying for multi-year funding.

COVID-19 and Community Grants:  It is recognized that impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic may have an effect on an organizations ability to operate in the same way as usual. Please be aware that this will be taken into consideration during the review of each application.

 

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 been in existence for five years if requesting multi-year funding; 
  • have demonstrated sound financial management, good standing with the City, and submit one the following financial documents; Audited financial statement, or a Notice to Reader;
  • be able to demonstrate that they provide those services and programs in an effective, accessible, open, and inclusive manner.

Allocated funding must be used within the year it is granted
Not eligible for a Community Investment Grant

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

Applicants should demonstrate:

  • one or more City priorities and participant priorities within target sectors (as outlined on the application forms);
  • community need for proposed activity or service;
  • community support (funding support or sponsorship from other organizations, local businesses, industry, service clubs);
  • community benefit/impact;
  • financial need (operating surpluses or reserve accounts should not exceed 25% of total operating without acceptable explanation, e.g., capital campaign);
  • sound financial management and revenue generation (accurate records, responsible budget, various sources of income; if deficit, then reduction plan);
  • accountability/mechanism for evaluation (identification of key performance measures and outcomes);
  • feasibility (organization’s ability to complete the proposed activity or service);
  • evidence of community collaboration, partnerships;
  • impact of previous year’s funding support.
Community Service Grant

There is no application process for this grant. Eligible organizations will be identified by City staff and approved by Council. They will be required to enter into a Service Contract with the City in order to receive the funding.

This grant program is intended for:

  • not-for-profit organizations currently receiving transfers, operating grants from the City or managing Municipal Capital Facilities for the City;
  • organizations identified by the City that provide a specific service that the City should be providing but the not-for-profit organization can do so more effectively and efficiently;
  • transfer of funds from senior government through the municipality to a community agency to achieve very specific outcomes/deliverables;
  • funding the core program of an agency or service that is supportive to the attainment of municipal or community objectives that are not within the parameters of the municipal corporate mandate.

Please review the full Community Grants 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
  • Highlight key words and phrases that the City needs to hear
  • Don’t try to make the application fit; you must fit it
  • 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
  • Don’t miss the deadline as applications cannot be accepted after the deadline
  • If unsuccessful with your application, get feedback and keep trying
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, however, you receive approval for a specific amount over three years, that level of funding is guaranteed.
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.

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.