Community Investment Fund

CIF provides financial and practical support for local initiatives that:

• Benefit Centre Wellington residents

• Are well-planned, realistic, and feasible

• Have clear community outcomes (e.g., inclusion, participation, learning, wellbeing and more)

We also offer applicant support (see “Need help?”).

Learn More ⤵️

Eligible Applicants:

Who can apply

• Registered not-for-profit or charity

• In operation for at least 1 year

• Governed by a volunteer board of directors

• Serving residents of Centre Wellington

Location requirement (Policy 2.1.2)

• Organization either: Based in the Township of Centre Wellington (programs are open to Township residents and primarily benefit Township residents),

• Or: An urban off-reserve Indigenous-led organization located in the Township of Centre Wellington.

Partnership pathway (Policy 2.3)

• • New or informal groups or organizations not meeting the location requirement, may apply by partnering with a Township-based eligible non-profit organization. In this case, the Township-based partner must be the lead applicant.

Ineligible Applicants:

• Individuals

• For-profit businesses

• Fundraising events

• Groups not in good standing with the Township. (such as, overdue payments missed reports, or unresolved issues from previous funding).

Eligible Expenses:

• Program supplies

• Venue or event rentals

• Artist or speaker fees

• Educational materials

• Transportation for participants & meals for participants

• Short-term support services, such as youth outreach or trauma-informed care.

Important Note:

Initiatives requesting funds for items available through the Township’s Cultural Resource Centre will receive a lower evaluation score. To view available items, visit: www.centrewellington.ca/culture.

Ineligible Expenses

• Salaries or staff payroll

• Debt repayment

• Long term rent or utilities

• Travel or lodging for your team or staff

• Fundraising expenses (Permitted only if fundraising is a secondary goal of the initiative)

• Office furniture or long-term cost

• Any expenses from previous years

• Expenses that benefit for-profit businesses
• Capital projects.

The Community Investment Fund offers four distinct grant streams to support a wide range of local initiatives, with the funding of up to $5,000 per project.

Step 1: Choose the Right Stream

Review the funding stream descriptions above and select the one that best matches your initiative.

If you’re unsure, start with Check My Eligibility button below.

Step 2: Prepare Your Materials 

You’ll need:

• A completed application form

• A simple project budget (use the CIF Budget Template or your own)

• A short project plan (what you’ll do, who benefits, when/where it happens, how you’ll measure success)

Step 3: Submit your Application Online

Apply by September 30, 2025 (11:59 p.m.).
You’ll receive a confirmation email after submitting.

• Need help?

  • We offer:

    • Application prep support

    • Accessibility/translation/interpretation assistance

Grants - General Inquiry (We’re happy to help you bring your idea to life).
10 East Mill St, Elora
Ontario, Canada, N0B 1S0
Phone: 519.846.9691 x322
Email Us

Provincial & Regional Grants:

• Grants Ontario – Access a wide range of provincial grant programs.

• Experience Ontario 2025 – Support for festivals, events, and tourism initiatives.

Local Supports:

• Centre Wellington Community Foundation – Community grants for local projects.

• Waterloo Wellington Community Futures – Business and community development funding.

• Business Centre Guelph-Wellington – Support for entrepreneurs and small business owners.

• Fergus Elora Rotary Club Grants – Local project and community support.

Other Local/Regional Opportunities:

• Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) – Funding for nonprofits focused on community well-being.

• Guelph Community Foundation – Grants for charitable initiatives in Guelph and area.

• Arts Council of Guelph – Micro-grants and resources for artists and creative projects.

• Elora Centre for the Arts – Occasionally offers artist calls and funding opportunities.

• Wellington-Waterloo Cultural Portal – Listings of grants and artist opportunities.

National & Broader Supports:

• Canada Council for the Arts – Grants for individual artists and arts organizations.

• Community Foundations of Canada – National support networks for local philanthropy.

• Canadian Women’s Foundation – Grants for gender equity, community leadership, and violence prevention.