Community Funding Program

Clarington's Community Funding Program provides opportunities to Clarington's not-for-profit and volunteer-based organizations to grow and make a difference in our community. Our three-streamed approach provides options for start-up funding, growth and in-kind contributions.

Quick Facts

Apply to one of three different streams: Start-Up, Growth or In-Kind.
Applications for the 2024 Community Funding Program, Start-up and Growth streams are now closed. In-kind applications are ongoing.
Up to a maximum of $5,000 can be awarded per application.
Once you've reached a total of $20,000 received, you must wait three years before your organization can apply again.
Attend an information session to learn more about the application process.
Funding decisions are made by a committee of Municipal staff and members of the community.

Start-Up

Applications are due January 31, 2024, for new programs or events. Apply now.

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Growth

Applications are due on January 31, 2024, for the expansion of an organization, program or event.

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In-Kind

Providing in-kind services and support. Applications accepted on an ongoing basis. Apply Now.

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Start-Up funding provides one-time start-up funding related to the development of a new group or initiative.

Apply for this stream if you are starting a new project or initiative that you haven’t tried before. Pilot projects or initiatives where the outcomes are unknown would qualify for this funding. The potential or expected results should achieve a significant impact in the community.

We are accepting applications from anyone with a new idea. Organizations that have been operational for less than a year are also eligible to apply.

Examples:

Provide support or services for an emerging issue.
Develop or pilot a new idea.
Research a new concept or assess the feasibility.

Applications for the 2024 Community Funding Program Start-up Stream are now closed.

Growth funding is available on an annual basis to organizations and event organizers committed to sustainable expansion or growth.

This stream supports projects or initiatives that take an organization or event to the next level. It can be used to increase your reach in the community, increase attendance, or diversify your participants’ demographics. An effort to increase cultural diversity is also a focus of this stream.

For applicants who have been operational for one or more years.

Examples:

Provide support or services that branches out into a new sector.
Add a new idea to an existing program or event.
Sustainable increase in the attendance/membership or reach of the organization.

Applications for the 2024 Community Funding Program Growth Stream are now closed.

In-Kind contributions include space or services that would typically have a fee associated with it at no cost to you or your organization.

For eligible applicants interested in using Municipal services and support, this stream would offset that cost.

Examples:

Consultation—How to Manage a Volunteer Board (Terms of Reference, board governance, volunteer management, volunteer recruitment strategies, effective fundraising techniques, grant writing support), not-for-profit printing, cross-promotion of programs, services or events.

Apply Now

Community Priorities

Tailor your application to Clarington's community priorities for a better chance at success.

Connection

Building strong social connections or an active community that encourages social and civic engagement.

Inclusion

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Creating an accessible community where people feel welcome and they belong. Celebrating diversity.

Environment

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Making contributions to an environmentally sustainable community.

Innovation

Support and showcase unique project ideas, previously untested or pilot projects and new research concepts.

Eligibility Criteria

Once you have applied, your application will be scored by a committee made up of municipal staff and community members. Scoring is based on the following criteria:

The applicant is a registered not-for-profit organization, business improvement area (BIA), or a volunteer not-for-profit organization or group operating under a board of directors’ authority.
The organization must have a written constitution and by-laws that establish the group’s framework.
The organization must have an elected board of directors of not less than three democratically elected members by the membership.
The organization must hold an annual general meeting.
The organization must have less than two years’ equivalent operating budget in unreserved cash demonstrated through a submitted annual financial statement.
Be in good financial standing with the Municipality of Clarington. All outstanding debts to the Municipality of Clarington must be paid in full at the time of the group’s application.

The Community Funding Program will not fund the following:

General operating expenses that support the day-to-day operation of an organization (i.e. utilities, rent, insurance, etc.).
Individuals
For-profit organizations
Political organizations
Local boards and committees of Council, including hall boards (for the purposes of or whose mandate is to operate and/or maintain municipal property).
Religious organizations, except where the program or service benefits the broader community, does not involve religious teachings and is not generating revenue for the organization.
Organizations that receive funding through Clarington’s municipal budget process or are the designated beneficiaries of a fundraising event hosted by the Municipality of Clarington, in the same year of the funding request (i.e. Clarington Golf Classic, For the Love of Art Gala).
Organizations that make donations or charitable contributions.
Organizations that operate with a deficit for more than two years in a row.
Programs or organizations that other levels of government have legislated responsibility for providing funding. This includes a top-up of shortfalls for government-mandated programs or services. Examples include educational programs, public health programs, housing services, provincially mandated childcare services or social assistance programs and health care services.
Organizations whose activities may breach the Ontario Human Rights Code or Charter of Rights.

Application Process and Support

Application Process

The Municipality of Clarington will advertise an annual call for funding on the municipal website and other relevant media. The funding call will occur once per year, and applications are due January 31, 2024.
Organizations are required to read the full Community Funding Program Policy to ensure their eligibility. Organizations must submit their application to the Community Funding Program and any supporting documents through the online portal. For assistance with the online portal, contact communitydevelopment@clarington.net.
All organizations must complete the application form in full, and all the requested supporting documentation must be submitted. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Municipal staff reserve the right to contact any organization for information that requires clarification.
Community Funding Program applications must include signed support by a minimum of two members of the organization’s executive, one of which needs to be the President/Chair or Vice-President/Vice-Chair of the executive and any other board member.
Applications must be received by the Municipality on or before 11:59 p.m. on January 31, 2024. Late applications will not be considered. It is the sole responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the Municipality receives completed applications. Once you submit your application, you will receive an email notification within two to three business days.
Eligible organizations can submit only one application per year to any one of the three streams.
Organizations can receive a maximum of $5,000 per year. Applicants will be required to submit financial statements as part of the application process.
Once an organization has received a total of $20,000 in funding, they must wait three years before they can apply again.
After all funding decisions are finalized, applicants will receive an email to let them know if they’ve been successful.
The Community Funding Program does not have an appeal process for unsuccessful applications. However, groups can discuss how to improve future applications with the Community Development staff by sending an email to communitydevelopment@clarington.net.

Resources

Approval Process

Council has approved the Community Funding Program purpose and criteria; program funds are allocated by Council during the annual budget process.

The Community Services Department administers the Community Funding Program. Community Development staff will be responsible for coordinating the program's details and conducting a thorough review of the submitted applications for eligibility.

All eligible applications will be reviewed and scored according to established criteria by a committee of municipal staff and appointed community members (where applicable). The Director of Community Services and the Director of Finance will make recommendations on funding to the CAO for approval.

The municipal review panel is comprised of:

Director of Community Services
Director of Finance
Director of Public Works, or their designate
Community Development Staff
Community Representative(s) to a maximum of three

Community Funding Program Review Committee Terms of Reference (PDF)

Reporting Requirements

Successful applicants who receive funding from the program must report how it was spent and its impact. Reports must be submitted to the Municipality by December 15 of the same year for which the funding is awarded.

Organizations who do not complete and submit the spending report by December 15 are not eligible for future funding until the Municipality is satisfied that the report has been submitted in full.

Submit your reporting details by completing the Community Funding Reporting Form.

Questions?

Book a call or meeting with our Community Development team at communitydevelopment@clarington.net.