City of Brantford Community Grant Program Spring Round

Spring Round 2024 Now Open!

The City of Brantford’s Grant Program has been an integral part of our City since 2001 and has helped to shape the vitality and sense of belonging that we enjoy in our community.  The City is proud to work with local non-profit organizations to help build a stronger and more vibrant community.  They are committed to facilitating opportunities to enhance community wellbeing through support of arts, culture, heritage, recreation, the environment, and health and human services.

Applications are due May 15 2024 at 4:00PM

Please email completed application forms to grants@brantcf.ca

Guidelines and Application Forms

Please ensure you fill out the correct form for the stream you are applying to.

We suggest downloading the application form and saving it to your computer or device before filling out the sections.

Grant Program Guidelines: City Grants Guidelines 

Recognition Guidelines: City of Brantford Grants Recognition Guidelines

Operational Stream Application: City Grant Application Form – Operational

Capital / Seed Application: City Grant Application Form – Capital Seed

Event Stream Application: City Grant Application Form – Events  

Travel Stream Application: City Grant Application Form – Travel

Funding Streams

Operational (Grant Maximum $10,000)

Purpose:

To assist with funding to improve the well-being of the community and its residents by providing financial assistance to various non-profit community organizations.

Applications will be rated on the following:

  • Community Benefit
  • Financial Need
  • Financial Reporting and Controls
  • Accountability of organization and clear identity and structure

Operational Grant – Special Project or Event

A special project or event will be considered if the project or event will be of benefit to the City and promote more active community life; Given on a one-time basis only; No grant or subsidy will be given for any project where profit is anticipated (further details included in Application Form).

Capital / Seed (Grant Maximum $15,000)

Purpose:

  • To assist with SEED and/or CAPITAL funding for projects that improve the well-being of the community and its residents by providing financial assistance to various non-profit community organizations.
  • To promote the self-sufficiency of community non-profit groups and programs by encouraging those in receipt of City Grants to become self-supporting
  • The SEED / CAPITAL grants are not for funding of existing programs.

Applications will be rated on the following:

  • Community Benefit
  • Need for new program/project or capital items
  • New organization/project/program
  • Financial Need
  • Financial Reporting and Controls
  • Accountability of organization and clear identity and structure
  • Sustainability (if applicable) and lasting improvements

Events Stream (Grant Maximum $5,000)

Purpose:

  • To assist with funding to improve the well-being of the community and its residents by providing financial assistance to various non-profit community organizations that host events
  • The Event Funding Stream is aimed at addressing the increasing cost and demand to host events in the City and the need for a process that permits event organizers to apply for support funding.
  • Previously this stream was called the “City Services Special Events” and was meant to reimburse applicants for costs associated with City of Brantford Services or using City Property. This stream has changed to allow applicants to apply for costs including but not limited to City-related expenses for running events. 

Applications will be rated on the following:

  • Community Benefit
  • Financial Need
  • Financial Reporting and Controls
  • Accountability of organization and clear identity and structure

Travel

  • See City Grant Guidelines for further details on grant maximums and eligibility criteria

Application Guidelines

  1. Only one request per non-profit organization or group to each stream is to be considered in a grant program year (Fall 2023 – Spring 2024).
  2. Grant application forms must be completed and all questions answered. 
  3. Funds must be used for the purposes specified on their grant application.
  4. Applicants will be required to complete a final evaluation.
  5. Any requests that do not meet the criteria will be returned to the applicant.
  6. The applicant is to return to the City of Brantford Community Grants Program any municipal grant funds as a direct result of the termination of all or part of the program/activity for which funding has been awarded
  7. The recipient of a grant is to acknowledge receipt of City of Brantford Community Grant funding on all promotional material.
  8. Decisions of the grants committee are final.

Basic Principles of Eligibility

  1. Grants should not be considered as a primary source of funding.
  2. Applicants must demonstrate that they have fully explored other sources of potential funding.
  3. Organization must show that it involves volunteers.
  4. Programs offered must address identifiable needs and/or problem in the community; address an under-serviced demand; represent an innovative approach to delivering service; and bestow some community benefit.
  5. Grants will not be considered for profit-oriented organizations or activities.
  6. Minimum of 75% of those served by the organization must be Brantford residents.
  7. Partnerships with other community organizations will be encouraged.
  8. The organization must have a clear identity.
  9. The organization must have a governing body with identifiable structure and signing authorities.
  10. The organizations must be able to monitor outcomes and be able to evaluate activities for which the grants were received.