City Enrichment Fund
Grants Coordinator
Call 905-546-2424 ext. 4524
Email grant.coordinator@hamilton.ca
Learn about the Funding Principles Review engagement opportunity that concluded in November 2023. The engagement informs a set of funding principles that will help guide funding recommendations.
CEF Grant Application period is now closed
Thank you to everyone who submitted applications. Applications are now being reviewed with decisions expected in May, 2024. Please reach out to the Grant Coordinator and/or one of the Program Managers with any questions.
The City Enrichment Fund is the City of Hamilton’s municipal investment in a wide range of program areas that supports the City’s Strategic Plan and 25 Year Community Vision.
There are seven Program Areas: Agriculture, Arts, Communities, Culture & Heritage, Community Services, Digital (Pilot Program), Environment, Sports & Active Lifestyles.
Applicants support is available to any new or returning applicants. Please contact the Grant Coordinator to let us know how we can provide support through the application process. Currently we offer:
- Translation of the Application Form
- Fillable Forms
- Video support
Funding Principles and Program Updates
Funding Principles
The City of Hamilton recognizes the value and commitment from the not-for-profit sector by investing through the City Enrichment Fund across seven sectors: Agriculture, Arts, Communities, Culture and Heritage, Community Services, Digital, Environment, Sports and Active Lifestyles.
The City Enrichment Fund is guided by the following set of funding principles:
- Allocates available funding amongst not-for profit organizations, registered charities, grassroots organizations and professional artist projects.
- Allocates funding to all passing applicants.
- Provides funding to programs/projects that present diverse revenue sources and a feasible budget.
- Supports the programming and service delivery for both returning and new organizations and programs.
Team Adjudication and Transparency
The City Enrichment Fund bases its funding decisions on the ratings determined by adjudication teams comprised of City of Hamilton staff and peer-adjudicators. Adjudicators are selected based on their subject matter expertise and arms-length position. Each year, the adjudication teams are shared online. Applicants may reach out to staff to access the adjudication comments and general application feedback.
Funding Principles Review - What We Heard
Thank you to all who participated in sharing your thoughts on the City Enrichment Fund program. The feedback from the survey and engagement sessions supports a set of Funding Principles that provides funding to all passing applicants, recognizes returning organizations, and provides access to new applicants and programming.
Funding Policy
Applicable across all CEF program areas, the 30% funding policy has been updated to only apply to requests above $15,001. Applicants with requests below $15,000 may request funding at various % of their budget and must continue to demonstrate additional funding and/or revenue sources.
This policy update provides greater capacity for applicants to realize and deliver programs and provides greater support to organizations that may not have access to other funding sources and/or who have been largely underfunded.
Please note, this funding policy does not apply to operating streams.
Applicant Support
Applicants requiring additional support can access fillable forms and translation of the application, Handbooks, and CEF Guidelines. Please contact your Program Manager or the Grant Coordinator.
CEF Grant Portal
Impacting three program areas: Agriculture, Digital, Sports and Active Lifestyles, applicants are able to select these specific areas when beginning their application.
Application, Programs & Funding
- Review the City Enrichment Fund General Guidelines
- Determine the correct Program Area and specific funding Stream
- Review the Stream specific eligibility
- Reach out to a Program Manager to discuss your application and the Stream specific criteria
- Gather program CEF budget information
- Attend the relevant funding area information session - dates listed below under the Program Areas
- Create an account on the grant portal (select ‘individual’) or login if you already have one
- Submit before December 15, 2023
Submit Application by 4 pm on December 15
Step 1 Develop a grant proposal in support of a specific program. Prepare a budget that reflects the written proposal and gather the required supporting documents.
Step 2 Complete the online application demonstrating that you meet the eligibility criteria and submit your proposal.
Please note that there are specific items which are deemed eligible and ineligible for each stream. Please review the specific handbooks closely as the ineligible items will be removed from the submitted budget.
This short video will help you get started.
How to Apply (Demo)
Agriculture
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Programs & Events
Arts
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Arts Operating
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Arts Festivals
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Capacity Building
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Creation and Presentation Grants for Arts Professionals
Communities, Culture & Heritage
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Events & Established Activities
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New Projects
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Capacity Building for Cultural Organizations
Community Services
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No One is Hungry or Without Shelter
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Everyone Feels Safe
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Every child and Family Thrives
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No Youth is Left Behind
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Everyone can Age in Place
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Community Capacity Grows
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Everyone has Someone to Talk to
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Emerging Needs and Program Innovation
Digital (Pilot Program)
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Digital Equity
Environment
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Capacity Building
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Projects & Programs
Sports & Active Lifestyles
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Long Term Athlete Development
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Sports Awareness
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Capacity Building
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Sport Development / Inclusion
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Accessibility
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Active for Life
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Multi-Sport Hosting
Eligibility
Eligibility is included in the General Guidelines:
- The program must take place within the City of Hamilton
- The legal status of the organization/applicant must be a non-profit or a community organization/volunteer organization with non-profit goals, or a professional artist applying to the Creation and Presentation stream only.
Questions? Attend an upcoming Information Session to learn more about each Program Area, how to apply, and to connect with Program Managers. Review the Additional Information section for more information about the specific program areas, frequently asked questions and City Council reports.