City Enrichment Fund

City Enrichment Fund

City enrichment fund logo

The City Enrichment Fund is the overall name for the City of Hamilton’s municipal investment in a wide range of program areas that supports the City’s strategic plan. The fund comprises 6 Program Areas (Agriculture, Arts, Communities, Culture & Heritage, Community Services, Environment, Sports & Active Lifestyles) with funding streams and categories.

We are implementing a new online system for 2022

Application intake is now open

  1. Review the City Enrichment Fund Program Guidelines (PDF, 374 KB)
  2. Determine application funding stream
  3. Review stream specific eligibility is located within the specific program areas
  4. Attend the relevant funding area workshop. Dates listed below under the specific program area
  5. Create an account and submit the application online beginning 12 am September 1, 2021
  6. Funding Recommendations are made to Council in Spring 2022

​Button "apply online"

This year, we are excited to announce that we are implementing a new online platform, to make the application process even easier for our applicants. To learn how to use the new platform, check out our video tutorial on how to apply.

Funding Areas

Program areas - 6 unique sector areas are served by the City Enrichment Fund.
Funding Streams - Specific grants available within each program area.
Categories - There are categories within the funding streams. Please refer to the individual program handbook for details.

Agriculture

  • Programs & Events

Arts

  • Arts Operating
  • Arts Festivals
  • Capacity Building
  • Creation and Presentation Grants for Arts Professionals

Communities, Culture & Heritage

  • Events & Established Activities
  • New Projects
  • Capacity Building for Cultural Organizations

Community Services

  • No One is Hungry or Without Shelter
  • Everyone Feels Safe
  • Every child and Family Thrives
  • No Youth is Left Behind
  • Everyone can Age in Place
  • Community Capacity Grows
  • Everyone has Someone to Talk to
  • Emerging Needs and Program Innovation

Environment

  • Capacity Building
  • Projects & Programs

Sports & Active Lifestyles

  • Long Term Athlete Development Planing & Implementation
  • Sports Awareness
  • Capacity Building
  • Sport Development / Inclusion
  • Accessibility
  • Active for Life
  • Multi-Sport Housing

Application deadlines

Program application intake is open until 4:30 pm, November 1, 2021

Determine your eligibility

Grant eligibility for the overall fund is in the General Guidelines:

  1. Program Funding request is up to 30% of the total eligible program budget
  2. The program takes place within the City of Hamilton
  3. Legal status of the organization: Non-profit, community organization, volunteer organization with non-profit goals

Submitting your application

Step 1 Develop a grant proposal that explains how you plan to use the funds. Businesses need to show a cost estimate that includes how much funding you need and how the money will be spent.
Step 2 Complete the online application demonstrating that you meet the eligibility criteria and submit your proposal.

Please be advised there are specific items which are deemed eligible and ineligible in the program specific handbooks. Please review this closely as the ineligible items will be removed.

Program Areas

Review the program areas handbooks and attend the relevant funding area workshops.

Agriculture Program - Handbook (PDF, 279 KB)

Workshops

Tuesday, September 28, 2021
Online Session
2 to 3 pm

Thursday October 14, 2021
Online Session
2 to 3 pm

This session is for potential applicants, new or returning, to the Agriculture program area. The session will cover: Goals and objectives of the City Enrichment Fund (CEF); the online application process and review of questions/required materials; financial requirements/eligibility, and; adjudication criteria.

Register by emailing
[email protected]

Arts Program – Capacity Building - Handbook (PDF, 298 KB)
Arts Program – Creation and Presentation for Artists - Handbook (PDF, 364 KB)
Arts Program – Arts Festivals - Handbook (PDF, 349 KB)
Arts Program – Arts Operating - Handbook (PDF, 349 KB)

Workshops

Thursday September 23, 2021
Online Session
2 to 3 pm

Review of all Arts Program Streams (not-for-profit organizations)​:

  • Streams
  • Eligibility
  • Goals
  • Application process
  • Budget

Register by emailing
[email protected]

Monday September 27, 2021
Online Session
2 to 3 pm

Review of Creation & Presentation Stream (artists and collectives)

  • Eligibility
  • Goals
  • Application process
  • Budget

Register by emailing
[email protected]

Communities, Culture & Heritage Program - Capacity Building for Cultural Organizations Handbook (PDF, 298 KB)
Communities, Culture & Heritage Program - Events & Established Activity Handbook (PDF, 355 KB)
Communities, Culture & Heritage Program - New Projects Handbook (PDF, 363 KB)

Workshops

Tuesday September 21, 2021
Online Session
2 to 3 pm

Review of all Communities, Culture & Heritage Program Streams:

  • Eligibility
  • Goals
  • Application process
  • Budget 

Register by emailing
[email protected]

Community Services Program - Grants Handbook (PDF, 363 KB)
Community Services Information Sessions Presentation (PDF, 639 KB)

Workshops

Wednesday, October 20, 2021
Online Session
10:30 am to 12 noon

Wednesday, October 27, 2021
Online Session
2 to 3:30 pm

Community Services Stream: This session will provide an overview of the submission requirements for the 2022 City Enrichment Fund for established programs highlighting changes from 2021. 

Community Services Stream: This session will provide an overview of the submission requirements for the 2022 City Enrichment Fund for new and returning applicants to the Emerging Needs category.

Register for October 20, 2021: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/community-service-cef-information-session-established-tickets-182068390457

Register for October 27, 2021: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/community-service-cef-information-session-emerging-needs-tickets-182095882687

Program Manager: [email protected]

Environment Program - Grants Handbook (PDF, 379 KB)

Workshops

Tuesday October 5, 2021
Location: Online
4:30 to 6:30 pm

This session is for potential applicants, new or returning, to the Environment program area. The session will cover: Goals and objectives of the City Enrichment Fund (CEF); the online application process and review of questions/required materials; financial requirements/eligibility, and; adjudication criteria.

Register by emailing
[email protected]

Wednesday October 14, 2021
Location: Online
6 to 8 pm

This session is for potential applicants, new or returning, to the Environment program area. The session will cover: Goals and objectives of the City Enrichment Fund (CEF); the online application process and review of questions/required materials; financial requirements/eligibility, and; adjudication criteria.

Register by emailing
[email protected]

Sport & Active Lifestyles Program - Grant Handbook (PDF, 185 KB)
Sport & Active Lifestyles Information Sessions Presentation (PDF, 1 MB)

Workshops

New Date: Wednesday, October 6, 2021
Online Session
1 to 2 pm

Wednesday, October 20, 2021
Online Session
7 to 8 pm

All Sport & Active Lifestyles Streams: This is your opportunity to meet with the Sport and Active Lifestyle Program Manager and discuss specific application questions, budget questions, and/or to troubleshoot the online portal. Recommended: bring a laptop and or copy of your application/budget.

Register by emailing
[email protected]

Frequently Asked Questions

A grant is money given to a person or organization that is designated for a specific purpose which does not need to be repaid. It is for a specific period (use it or lose it basis).

The City Enrichment Fund is the overall name for the City of Hamilton's municipal investment in a wide range of program areas that support the City's strategic plan; Our Future Hamilton Community Vision. It is comprised of program areas, streams and categories / funding priorities.

Program Areas
The six unique sector areas are served by the City Enrichment Fund.

Funding Streams
Specific grants available within each program area.

Categories
There are categories within funding streams. Please refer to the individual program handbook for details.

Applicants must consult both the general guidelines and the program specific handbooks in order to ensure all eligibility criteria are met.

The following types of organizations are eligible within the City Enrichment Fund:

  • Incorporated not-for-profit organizations
  • Organizations with a charitable number
  • Community associations
  • Unincorporated groups with not-for-profit goals and governance structure.
  • Creation & Presentation artists and collectives (Arts Program Only)

Funded activities must take place within the city of Hamilton.

Applications are submitted online by registering a City Enrichment Fund Account.

The deadline for all applications is November 1, 2021 before 4:30 pm.

Adjudication teams review each application and assign scores based on set benchmarks. A minimum of 3 independent staff or peer adjudicators review each application and assess a score out of 100.

  1. Application Intake Period via online application process
  2. Internal documentation and processes 330+ Financial Reviews
  3. Adjudication of Applications Scores Assigned Funds allocated according to consistent funding rational
  4. Program Area Meeting & Report Preparation
  5. Grants Sub-Committee Review - Spring

Per the approved guidelines and # 7 in the funding agreement:
The Recipient acknowledges and agrees to return to the City any surplus or unspent CEF Funds to the City within 30 days after the scheduled completion of the Initiatives, unless an extension is granted by City Council. It is the responsibility of the Recipient to request an extension by contacting the Grant Co-ordinator in writing prior to the expiration of the 30-day period within a calendar year.

A cheque can be submitted to the Program Manager or Grant Coordinator within 30 days of the scheduled completion of the program. Cheques are payable to the City of Hamilton.

A requirement of the CEF is the submission of final reports. CEF Final Reports provide valuable information to help us measure and demonstrate the impact of our funding programs. Reporting requirements can be found on page 20 of the CEF general guidelines.

Note that having an overdue final report may impact future grant payments.

The City Enrichment Fund’s mandate is that of a grant program. Funds are requested and to be utilized in accordance to the Council approved CEF guidelines. Accountability is to the tax paying dollars of not only the participants of the fund, but to the greater community.

2021 CEF Program

Funding Recommendations - Grants-Sub-Committee meeting: June 8th, 2021

Next Steps - Grant recommendations were conditionally approved at the June 8th Grants Sub-Committee Meeting and by Council on June 23rd pending the submission of a program status form to Program Area Managers.

Review the appendix with the results for pending program status forms.

Our community health and well-being remain top priority as we remain focused on working with our City Enrichment Fund (CEF) applicants and community partners to navigate through these uncertain times.

Unspent Funds

The CEF operates on an annual cycle. Funds not spent in accordance with the grant request, will need to be returned to the City per the approved guidelines and Item #7 in the funding agreement. All questions, program updates and inquiries can be emailed to [email protected].

City Council Approvals

November 25, 2015 Council Meeting
Council approved: Item 6 - Audit, Finance & Administration Committee Report 15-012 (PDF, 35 KB)

Contact

Grants Coordinator
Phone: 905-546-2424 ext. 4524
Email: [email protected]

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