Applications are due by midnight on September 18th, 2023.
On January 30 2023, Council approved a new Community Impact Grant with three streams: Capital, Projects and Programming and lastly Annual Specific.
Capital stream requests will improve the infrastructure that organizations need to thrive. Whether it’s purchasing equipment, building a new space, or completing renovations, retrofits or repairs, Capital grants support projects that will have a positive impact for the community. The Township supports projects that improve access to community spaces, facilities, programs, activities and services, and facilitate community members’ full participation in the life of the community; improve and build community spaces; make programs and services better and more efficient; and make better use of technology.
Eligible Applicants
Eligible applicants must:
- be operating as a not for profit or charity for at least one year with a volunteer board of directors. Individuals are ineligible for consideration
- meet one of the following:
a) be based in the Township of Centre Wellington, with at least a majority of members being Township residents. Membership and programs must be open to all Township citizens, and services, programs and activities must be of benefit primarily to Township citizens, or
b) an urban off-reserve Indigenous-led organization located in the Township of Centre Wellington which may also provide culturally based programming outside the boundaries of the Township of Centre Wellington.
- Organizations seeking new capital funding, who are currently working to complete capital projects previously funded from any Township of Centre Wellington grant are required to submit a Letter of Intent at least two weeks prior to the application deadline. If a Letter of Intent is not received, the Organization will be deemed ineligible. Organizations could be deemed ineligible if sufficient progress with the initial outstanding capital project(s) has not been met.
- serving clearly identified community needs not already adequately addressed by another organization, be it government, corporate or another not-for-profit organization.
- able to provide evidence that the community has shown a commitment to their programs through participation in the organization or attendance at functions sponsored by the organization.
- able to demonstrate support from some other source of funds, than government funds. Other sources of income should include substantial financial support from private donations, audiences through ticket sponsorships or membership sales, where the functions of the organization are such as to serve audiences.
- be able to demonstrate financial responsibility through the preparation and submission of operating budgets and complete financial statements. Complete financial statements include both a balance sheet and income statement, prepared by a licensed accountant operating independently of the applicant, for organizations with annual gross revenues in excess of $50,000. The Township recognizes that financial statement preparation costs can be prohibitive to smaller organizations, and therefore will accept a current, internally prepared, balance sheet and income statement for entities with annual gross revenues less than $50,000.
- in good standing with the Township. The organization must be current on accounts receivable and not in litigation with the Township.
Ineligible Organizations
- Projects or programs organized by organizations that are profit-oriented, schools, groups or organization with a primary focus other than community service, for example, parent and student councils.
- Organizations with mandates from other levels of government, for example, schools, hospitals and Business Improvement Areas (BIAs).
- Organizations who have failed to provide satisfactory reports, including financial statements, as to the success of the previous year and specifically with respect to the allocation of grant funds.
- Requests for grants to an individual, or to an individual group that is controlled by a parent organization (in this case the parent organization should apply for the grant).
- Stacking of Township funding is not permitted. This includes additional but is not limited to:
a) capital funding for the same project
b) projects and programs funded in the same year.
c) initiatives that have already received subsides from the Township of Centre Wellington
Eligible Applications
- Requests for the Community Impact - Capital stream should not exceed $20,000 per application and is required to be completed by December 31 of the year following grant approval. If there is a unique situation that warrants an ask more than $20,000, the eligible organization must submit a Letter of Intent (more information in section 2.7 of the policy) by the given deadline to be considered.
- If the property is not owned by the applicant, a letter of support and permission for the project from the property owner is required.
Ineligible Expenses
- Travel or accommodation, uniforms, personal equipment, banquets, trophies or entertainment.
- Rent of office space or space required for the operating of business, utilities or debt repayment (i.e. mortgages). A short-term Township facility rental to support a program would be an example of something that would be eligible.
- Attendance at conferences, workshops or seminars.
- Request for contributions to fund prior year deficits incurred by the organization.
- Payroll related costs.
- Funds cannot be used to host an event that is fundraising focused.
- Council may grant special consideration to entities that do not meet all the above criteria but are unique in nature and fulfill a specific need in the community. The organization’s interest in special consideration will be determined at the Letter of Intent stage.
Post Report
If a grant is awarded, within two months post event, project, or service, a post report must be completed.
Community Impact Grant Capital Stream - Post Report
If you need assistance completing your online application, please contact
Community Development c/o Kristen Drexler
1 MacDonald Square
Elora, ON N0B 1S0
Telephone: 519-846-9691 ext. 322