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. 

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.

CEF General Guidelines

The City of Hamilton invests in the community by providing grants through the City Enrichment Fund. The City Enrichment Fund 2021 intake process is now closed. 2021 City Enrichment Fund Program Guidelines (PDF, 374 KB)

Program Areas

Agriculture Program – 2021 Handbook (PDF, 279 KB)
Agriculture Program - Report (DOCX, 46 KB)
Agriculture Program - Budget (XLS, 106 KB)

Information Sessions

Tuesday, September 29, 2020
Online Session
10 to 11:30 am

This information session is geared to applicants in the Program & Events Stream of the Agriculture Program.  All returning and new applicants are strongly encouraged to attend to learn about the application process.

Thursday, October 8, 2020
Online Session
2 to 3:30 pm

This information session is geared to applicants in the Program & Events Stream of the Agriculture Program.  All returning and new applicants are strongly encouraged to attend to learn about the application process.

Arts Program – Capacity Building 2021 Handbook (PDF, 298 KB)
Arts Program – Creation and Presentation for Artists 2021 Handbook (PDF, 364 KB)
Arts Program – Arts Festivals 2021 Handbook (PDF, 349 KB)
Arts Program – Arts Operating 2021 Handbook (PDF, 349 KB)
Arts Program – Arts Creation and Presentation Report (PDF, 87 KB)
Arts Program – Arts Creation and Presentation Budget (PDF, 119 KB)
Arts Program – Arts Operating, Capacity, Festivals Report (DOC, 91 KB)
Arts Program – Arts Operating, Capacity, Festivals Budget (XLS, 114 KB)

Information Sessions

Thursday September 17, 2020
Online Session
1 to 2:30 pm

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

  • Streams
  • Eligibility
  • Goals
  • Application process
  • Budget

Tuesday September 22, 2020
Online Session
1 to 2:30 pm

Review of Creation & Presentation Stream (artists and collectives)

  • Eligibility
  • Goals
  • Application process
  • Budget

Communities, Culture & Heritage Program - Capacity Building for Cultural Organizations 2021 Handbook (PDF, 298 KB)
Communities, Culture & Heritage Program - Events & Established Activity 2021 Handbook (PDF, 355 KB)
Communities, Culture & Heritage Program - New Projects 2021 Handbook (PDF, 363 KB)
Communities, Culture & Heritage Program Report (DOC, 48 KB)
Communities, Culture & Heritage Program Budget (XLS, 113 KB)

Information Sessions

Thursday September 17, 2020
Online Session
1 to 2:30 pm

Review of all Communities, Culture & Heritage Program Streams:

  • Eligibility
  • Goals
  • Application process
  • Budget 

Community Services Program - Grants 2021 Handbook (PDF, 363 KB)
Community Services Information Sessions Presentation (PDF, 639 KB)
Community Services Report (DOC, 75 KB)
Community Services Budget (XLS, 98 KB)

Information Sessions

Thursday, October 15, 2020
Online Session
10 am to 12 noon

Community Services Stream: This session will provide an overview of the submission requirements for the 2020 City Enrichment Fund programs.

Environment Program - Grants 2021 Handbook (PDF, 379 KB)
Environment Report (DOC, 36 KB)
Environment Budget (XLS, 81 KB)

Information Sessions

Tuesday October 6, 2020
Location: Online
10 to 12 noon

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.

Wednesday October 14, 2020
Location: Online
6:30 to 8:30 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.

Sport & Active Lifestyles Program - Grant 2021 Handbook (PDF, 185 KB)
Sport & Active Lifestyles Information Sessions Presentation (PDF, 1 MB)
Sport & Active Lifestyles Report (PDF, 172 KB)
Sport & Active Lifestyles Budget (XLS, 98 KB)

Information Sessions

Date: Wedensday, September 30
Online Session
7 to 8:30 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.

Date: Thursday, October 22
Online Session
7 to 8:30 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The City is pleased to announce the opening of the 2021 intake process. The information on this page is to help you navigate the application process and to ensure that your project, event or program are a good fit to the City Enrichment Funding areas and their streams.

  1. Read the General Guidelines and handbooks specific to your program area and stream.
  2. Review the Grant Applicant Overview Presentation (PDF, 607 KB)
  3. Review Program Budget Overview (PDF, 373 KB) and download the template to be attached in your online application.
  4. Apply by signing in or creating your City Enrichment Fund Account
  5. . The deadline for all applications is November 2, 2020 before 4:30 pm

For any additional questions please contact the City Enrichment Fund at [email protected].

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 creating/signing into your City Enrichment Fund Account.

The deadline for all applications is November 2, 2020 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.

Final Reports

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.

Due to the uncertainties of the COVID impact last year and recognizing that program/event circumstances may have changed since the initial application, flexibility was provided to organizations through the adoption of a phrased approach in reporting, in which applicants/grant recipients could make modifications to their programs and budgets.

Grants awarded for CEF 2020 Cycle according to the phased approach due to COVID-19 must submit as per their final status. 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.

Unspent Funds

The CEF operates on an annual cycle. Funds not spent in 2020 in accordance with the initial or modified 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

Mimi John
Acting Grants & Strategic Partnerships Co-ordinator
Phone: 905-546-2424 ext. 4524
Email: [email protected]

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