Community Foundation Application

    Applying for a Community Foundation grant

    Step 1. Review the eligibility criteria to learn what type of grant you can apply for.

    Step 2. Gather the documents you will need to complete your application.

    Step 3. Visit our application website to complete and submit your application before the application deadline.

    Step 1: What type of grant should you apply for?

    Each grant type has different eligibility criteria. Depending on what type of grant you are interested in, different information may be required. Each year, we receive applications for a wide variety of programs.

    The examples listed below are not exhaustive and are intended only to give applicants an idea of the type of projects we have supported in the past.

    Here is a breakdown of the different grants we offer and what groups are eligible.

    Grant type Who is eligible for this grant? Examples of projects that are eligible
    Project Grant (maximum $5,000)
    • schools (as defined by the education act in each province)
    • school/parent organizations
    • community libraries
    • daycares
    • indigenous groups
    • recreation facilities
    • unregistered organizations
    • small municipalities
    • playground equipment and upgrades to parks
    • educational field trips (not including multi-day class trips)
    • library supplies
    • chrome books and other electronics
    • musical instruments
    • art supplies
    • sporting goods (balls, hockey sticks, curling brooms, etc.)
    • sporting facility improvements (pools, ice rinks, skateboard parks, climbing walls, etc.)
    • participation in school-organized humanitarian efforts
    • after-school programs
    • special needs supplies and adaptive equipment (autism room supplies, modified sporting equipment for children with special needs, etc.)
    Project Grant ($5,001 - maximum $25,000)
    • registered charities with a Canadian Charitable Registration Number
    • registered non-profit organizations with a valid B/N business registration number
    • registered Canadian amateur athletic associations
    • small municipalities

    *these groups can also apply for a project grant under $5,000 for smaller projects
    • mentoring programs
    • STEM/STEAM activities
    • literacy programs
    • mental health support and resources
    • workshops and community programs for at-risk youth, young immigrants, children exposed to domestic violence, etc.
    • sporting equipment/ improvements for a community centre
    Signature Grant ($50,000)
    • National charities and organizations
    • General operating costs or project-specific requests are accepted
    Indigenous Truth and Reconciliation Signature Grant ($50,000)

    See if you qualify
    • Indigenous regional or local organizations
    • Programming anchored in the principles of Indigenous truth and reconciliation and supports Indigenous children and youth across the country.
    Project Grant (maximum $5,000)
    Who is eligible for this grant?
    • schools (as defined by the education act in each province)
    • school/parent organizations
    • community libraries
    • daycares
    • indigenous groups
    • recreation facilities
    • unregistered organizations
    • small municipalities
    Examples of projects that are eligible
    • playground equipment and upgrades to parks
    • educational field trips (not including multi-day class trips)
    • library supplies
    • chrome books and other electronics
    • musical instruments
    • art supplies
    • sporting goods (balls, hockey sticks, curling brooms, etc.)
    • sporting facility improvements (pools, ice rinks, skateboard parks, climbing walls, etc.)
    • participation in school-organized humanitarian efforts
    • after-school programs
    • special needs supplies and adaptive equipment (autism room supplies, modified sporting equipment for children with special needs, etc.)
    Project Grant
    ($5,001 - maximum $25,000)
    Who is eligible for this grant?
    • registered charities with a Canadian Charitable Registration Number
    • registered non-profit organizations with a valid B/N business registration number
    • registered Canadian amateur athletic associations
    • small municipalities
    Examples of projects that are eligible
    • mentoring programs
    • STEM/STEAM activities
    • literacy programs
    • mental health support and resources
    • workshops and community programs for at-risk youth, young immigrants, children exposed to domestic violence, etc.
    • sporting equipment/ improvements for a community centre
    Signature Grant ($50,000)
    Who is eligible for this grant?
    • National charities and organizations
    Examples of projects that are eligible
    • General operating costs or project-specific requests are accepted
    Indigenous Truth and Reconciliation Signature Grant ($50,000)

    See if you qualify
    Who is eligible for this grant?
    • Indigenous regional or local organizations
    Examples of projects that are eligible
    • Programming anchored in the principles of Indigenous truth and reconciliation and supports Indigenous children and youth across the country.

    Projects ineligible for grants

    The following projects do not qualify for any of the Foundation grants.

    • professional or amateur sports teams
    • activities outside Canada
    • debt reduction campaigns
    • requests to cover mailing, shipping and/or delivery fees
    • lobby, advocacy or partisan groups that promote a particular social, political or economic point of view
    • fundraising events such as golf tournaments, galas, runs or races
    • brand or general advertising, as distinguished from information directly related to front-line activities
    • financial assistance for individuals
    • trade shows
    • organizations, political parties or other programs that require, as a condition for receiving support or services, an adherence to, or promotion of a particular religious faith, political affiliation or cultural group
    • conventions, conferences or events
    • ongoing operating costs (e.g., administrative costs not directly linked to delivery of front-line programs) (Signature Grants are exempted)
    • salaries and administrative costs for school employees
    • school celebration trips (note: educational field trips are eligible for consideration, but graduation or class trips abroad are not)
    • standard classroom supplies
    • professional development

    Step 2: Gather the documents you will need

    Gather the documents you will need to complete your application. The application checklist also includes all financial documents you will require.

    Download application checklist

    Step 3: Complete and submit your application

    Visit our application website to complete and submit your application before the application deadline.

    It will take 30 – 60 minutes to complete your application. You can save an application and complete it at a later date if needed.

    Important deadlines

    February 13, 2023: Application website is available
    March 9, 2023 (12:00 pm ET): Application deadline
    March to June: Application review and trustee approval period
    Summer 2023: Decision is communicated to applicants
    September 2023: Public announcement of grant recipients
    Winter 2024: New application period opens

    Get more information on the Community Foundation

    Read our frequently asked questions or contact us.