Funding Opportunities

 Funding Streams

1. Community Grants Program 

Provides funding to support vital services delivered by located charitable and community-based organizations in Perth County.

Criteria for applying to the Community Grants funding stream:

• Address existing and emerging community needs, opportunities and demonstrate innovation
• Strengthen the applicant’s and the community’s capacity
• Have additional funding partners and/or developed strong collaborative relationships
• Improve organizational effectiveness
• Demonstrate fiscal responsibility and sustainability
• Receive volunteer support from the community
• Build on the community’s strengths, assets, skills and resources
• Develop leadership and self-reliance, mobilize civic participation and resources
• Do not duplicate programs offered
• Multi-year projects may be considered

2. Regional Smart & Caring Community Grant Program

Smart & Caring Communities is a landmark effort that brings together community foundations from across Canada in response to the Former Governor General, David Johnston’s challenge to build a ‘smart and caring nation’ in celebration of Canada’s sesquicentennial. Smart & Caring Community Grants are available for the six regions of the Stratford Perth Community Foundation’s geographic footprint – Stratford, St. Marys, North Perth, Perth East, Perth South and West Perth. Grants will be awarded to applicants that show how their program/project responds to their community’s priorities in a smart and caring way.

Note: Available funding for the Smart & Caring Community Grants is determined by the size of the respective regional fund and the investment results from the previous year. This may result in different funding amounts for each region. At this time, we anticipate each region will have between $2,000 to $3,000 in available funding, with the exception of Stratford, which will have between $5,000 to $7,000 available.

Criteria for applying to the Smart & Caring Community Grants funding stream:

• Project/Program addresses a priority need specifically in one of the six geographic areas identified in the application
• Project/Program helps create smart caring communities where local citizens can succeed, contribute and develop their talents to their fullest potential
• Project/Program mobilizes civic participation
• Application to the Smart & Caring Community grant Program must not duplicate any other application submitted to the SPCF Community Grants Program
• A charitable organization may submit a unique grant application to both Grant Programs

Eligibility Guidelines

To be eligible to apply for a grant from the Community Foundation, the applicant must: 

• Be registered as a charity with Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) for at least one (1) year and have filed at least one (1) T3010 with CRA, or be sponsored by same
• Provide services for or within Perth County, Stratford and/or St. Marys
• Provide services without discrimination

Projects not eligible for grants from the Community Foundation include:

• Programs that have direct religious or political activity
• Programs that are mandated by another funder
• Expenses incurred prior to awarding the grant
• Deficit reduction, debt retirement, reserves, mortgage pay-down
• Endowment and fundraising campaigns
• Core operating costs
• Individuals

Please check out the Stratford Perth Community Foundation for more information and Grant Opportunities and Deadlines. 

United Way Perth-Huron is a leader in understanding the root cause of social issues and bringing people and resources together to find lasting solutions. United Way Perth-Huron is creating real change in the lives of people - meaningful, positive change not just for today but for the long term. 

General Eligibility (New Initiative and Impact Funding Grants)

• Provide services to Perth County and/or Huron County
• Be a well-established qualified donee (as defined by the Canadian Revenue Agency)
• Have a volunteer Board of Directors
• Submit annual financial reviews
• Be non-partisan
• Adhere to United Way Perth Huron policies

Impact Funding

This funding stream is intended for ongoing projects/program that are park of the organizations over-arching structure and mission.  Organizations must be fulfilling community needs as identified by the United Way Perth-Huron (UWPH) Framework, and must demonstrate excellence in terms of programming, community collaboration and operational management.  Organizations that are not currently funded by UWPH are welcome to apply for an Impact Funding Grant.

Impact funding applications will be only considered every three years. The year after applications are received will be considered the first year of the funding cycle.

New Initiative Grants

United Way Perth-Huron recognizes that encouraging new approaches and innovations in community services and programs are important. The New Initiative Grant funding stream was created to respond to:

• Emerging needs
• Test and evaluate new models of service
• Support collaborative partnerships or smaller-scale projects
• Assist in the pilot of new projects

Amount: Up to $20,000

Term: funding for one year

Youth in Action Grants

Youth in Action Grants are a one-time grant opportunity for program that are youth-led and offer creative ideas to address youth community issues in Perth and Huron Counties. Youth and/or groups of youth between the ages of 14 and 24 are invited to submit an application in partnership with an adult trustee (25+). These funds support youth-led projects that positively benefit the participants’ communities and support youth development.

Please note that Youth In Action Grants do not have to meet the same eligibility requirements as the other investment streams and no EOI will be required.

Amount: up to $1,000

Term: One time amount 

Website link: https://perthhuron.unitedway.ca/

The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF), is one of Canada's leading grant-making foundations and is an agency of the Government of Ontario. OTF is a catalyst that enables Ontarians to work together to enhance the quality of life in their communities. They believe that communities across Ontario are rich in talent, creativity and drive, and our grants stimulate communities to build on these assets.

Grant Streams:

Seed Grants: Grants that support projects at the idea or conceptual staff to staff a Priority Outcomes.

Activities funded include:

• Conducting new research or feasibility studies
• Testing new approaches
• Hosting discussions about emerging issues or new opportunities
• Developing a new idea
• Launching a new event
• Convening people together

Amount: From $5,000 to $75,000

Term: Up to 1 year

Grow Grants: Grants that support the evidence based development of activities to achieve a Priority Outcome

Activities funded include:

• Replicating, adapting or scaling a proven model
• Piloting or demonstrating a tested model

Amount: From $50,000 to $250,000 per year

Term: 2 to 3 years

Capital Grants: Grants that broaden access, improve community spaces to achieve a Priority Outcome

Activities funded include:

• Buying and installing equipment
• Doing renovations, installations and repairs
• Building structures or spaces
• Making better use of technological resources

Amount: From $5,000 to $150,000
Term: Up to 1 year

Making Positive Local Impact

Libro invests 100% of profits back into the people, businesses and communities we serve. One of the ways we do this is by supporting organizations that are making a positive local impact helping address some of the most challenging issues in southwestern Ontario: Employment, Financial Resilience, Local Food Accessibility and Housing.

Sponsorships, Donations and Partnerships

Through Sponsorships and Donations, Libro provides in-kind and financial support up to $20,000 for local initiatives and events aligned with our pillars. 

Applications for $20,000 and above will be reviewed as Impact Partnerships. Libro partners with organizations that help us advance our strategic social purpose in southwestern Ontario creating measurable outcomes in the areas we have identified as our pillars. 

Please keep in mind: 

• Applications for Sponsorships, Donations and Impact Partnerships are accepted year-round.
• There is only one application form and the questions will vary based on the support requested. 
• Typically, 4 - 6 weeks are required for us to decide on applications under $20,000 and then contact you with a response.
• Partnership applications up to $50,000 will be reviewed bi-monthly. Applications over $50,000 will be reviewed quarterly.
• Previous support by Libro Credit Union does not guarantee approval of your application and not all eligible requests can be funded.

Ineligible applicants or projects:
•    Not aligned with Libro pillars
•    Individual or private business applicant
•    Projects and programs that take place outside of southwestern Ontario
•    Requests that attach significant legal exposure or financial risk to Libro
•    Partisan or religious events or initiatives that are not open to all members of the community

Website Link: https://www.libro.ca/community/grants-sponsorships-partnerships

 The Trillium ROOTS Community Support Fund will ensure that continuous meaningful assistance will be provided in the future. They have established a new and fresh approach that is designed to improve the consistency of support over time and provide an independent and objective process. Requests for funding are reviewed quarterly. 

Trillium ROOTS Community Fund focus areas include:

1. Healthcare
2. Recreation and Wellness
3. Emergency Response (Fire Fighters)
4. Agricultural
5. Eco/Sustainability/Other

Eligibility

Recognizing Our Opportunity To Support (ROOTS) would like to hear from you regarding capital projects and facility/equipment upgrades in your community.

Capital Project Definition

Capital projects for consideration will include the construction, expansion or major renovations of facilities as well as purchasing equipment to enhance the services provided.