CEF Agriculture Program

CEF does not guarantee that funding is recommended at the full request amount. A passing application does not guaranteed funding.

• Funding up to a maximum of $35,000 is available
• Funding Requests Over $15,001: Funding requests should not exceed 30% of the total program budget
• Funding Requests Below $15,000: CEF funding requests cannot be 100% of the proposed program and must demonstrate additional funding / revenue sources

The City Enrichment Fund does not fund 100% of program expenses. Application budgets should include diverse revenue in support of the proposed program

Note: Audited Financial Statements are required for grant requests greater than or equal to $30,000.

The organization must be an incorporated not-for-profit agriculture or rural-based organization or unincorporated group with not-for-profit goals and governance structure.

Organizations that have been incorporated for less than a year are not eligible to apply.

The program and/or event can take place in either (or both) urban and rural Hamilton, where the objectives of the Agriculture Stream are being met.

The organization must have their head office in the city of Hamilton and/or the majority of their activities must occur within Hamilton. The organization must operate year-round (where applicable) and offer programs and services that are open to the public and widely publicized in the city of Hamilton.

• Organizations that do not have an agriculture or rural-based mandate and/or do not have an agriculture or rural-based focused program and/or event
• Religious or political organizations
• Individuals
• For-profit organizations and ventures
• Organizations whose activities are deemed to come under the jurisdiction of other levels, divisions, departments or agencies of the City or other governments, i.e. school boards, post-secondary institutions, social service organizations, hospitals, business improvement associations.
• Organizations that have been incorporated for less than a year

• Volunteer costs (e.g. training, food, non-alcoholic beverages, distinctive clothing)
• Logistical, production and technical requirements (except for alcohol related costs)
• Costs including supplies, fees, and expenses for demonstrators, educators, and performers of agricultural activities
• Marketing promotion and audience development
• Administration
• Insurance
• Policing and security cost (except for those costs related to alcohol)
• Road Closure expenses
• Evaluation

• Alcohol and associated expenses (permit fees, police, fencing, etc.)
• Ongoing operations (e.g. salaries, wages, travel, supplies, material, fundraising, marketing, governance, and other costs related to ongoing operations)
• Costs associated with capital projects (e.g. equipment, renovations, purchase of buildings)
• Deficit reduction
• Retroactive activity
• HST
• Expenses for programming that takes place outside of the City of Hamilton

All applicants must be able to demonstrate good use of public funds. Organizations will be assessed separately using the following assessment criteria and weight:

Organizational Capacity (25%) as demonstrated by:

• An active Board of Directors providing a proper stewardship role
• Effective fiscal checks and balances
• Evidence of thoughtful planning towards the organization’s vision
• Proactive strategies with appropriate and updated policies
• Good financial health 
• History of its commitment to the Hamilton community

Program Merit (40%) as demonstrated by:

• Effective and safe execution, in compliance with your organization’s vision
• The target group that is benefiting from this request 
• The quality in what will be offered / provided to the community
• Benefits beyond the immediate request 
• Demonstrating what you will do to ensure program/project success 

Community Impact (35%) as demonstrated by:

• Project alignment with the City’s strategic goals
• A need within the community
• The types of partnership that will be developed
• The evaluation and reflection upon project completion

This session will introduce the City Enrichment Fund and provide an overview of the Agriculture Program - Events & Programs stream. The presentation will cover eligibility, submission requirements, timelines and a Q&A. This session is intended for returning and new applicants.

Registered attendees will receive the meeting link details by email.

Application Information Form

• Applicant Contact Information
• Additional Contact Information
• Organization/Applicant Full Public Facing Name:
• Organization/Applicant Legal Name
  • All Funding agreements and payments will be issued to the Legal name
  • Please note that the legal names of organizations will be made public.
• Organization/Applicant Address
• Is your mailing address different from your Organization/Applicant address?
• Legal Status of Organization (Select all that apply)
  • Not-for-profit
  • Registered Charity
  • Individual Artist or Collective (not eligible in SAL)
  • Unincorporated group with not-for-profit goals and governance structure
• (Questions for Unincorporated Groups Only)
  • Unincorporated groups must demonstrate governance structure through a governing committee, and an organizational bank account
    • Organization has 3 or more Board members, or Governance Committee Members
    • Organization has a bank account in the organizations name
• Organization Date Established (must be at least one year prior to Application Intake
• Is your organization’s head office located in the city of Hamilton?
• Will the program for which you are applying take place within the city of Hamilton?

Program Information Form

• Brief Summary in 60 words - Not Scored
• Organization’s Mission or Mandate Statement - 5 points
• Provide a brief history of your organization - 5 points
• Provide a detailed description of your program (Approximately 1000 words) - 10 points
  • What is the program direction? What makes it important?
  • A summary of your activities, describing the quality, diversity, and innovativeness. How will you evaluate the quality of your programming?
  • Details of the program’s impact on educating, informing, and enhancing the agriculture sector in the City.
  • Details of key dates and scheduled activities.
  • Details of all marketing plans.
• Specify how funding from the City Enrichment Fund will be used. (Approximately 500 words) - 7 points
  • What will the expenses be and why they are needed?
  • Why are extra funds needed to support this program or event versus using a current operational budget?
  • This description should relate to the details provided in the programming description above and to the proposed budget.

Describe how this program can be scaled should the total funding request not be received. (Approximately 500 words)

• The City Enrichment Fund does not guarantee that successful applicants will receive their full grant request. Applicants are asked to confirm how they will adapt to funding amounts below request level.
• How will your program increase community participation? (Approximately 500 words) - 5 points
  • Details on the following:
    • The contribution of the program to further develop the agriculture sector in the City.
    • Description of your audience and participants.
    • Volunteer program(s) with the organization.
    • External recognition of programming within the organization.
    • Economic impact of the program.
• What are the measurable outcomes of your program? - 10 points
  • Describe the outcome of your program to your organization and / or the community as a direct result to your activities. Ensure that each outcome is measurable. Multiple measures for a single outcome are acceptable. If your application is successful and you receive funding, you will be required to report back on the outcomes achieved.
• Provide up to three measurable outcomes of the program that benefit the organization and /or the community.
  • What is the primary goal?
  • What does success look like?
  • How is success measured?
  • What is the start and end state?
• Describe both formal and informal program partnerships. How do these relationships enhance your program activities? (Approximately 300 words) - 10 points
  • How will you work with other groups? How does this assist your group in achieving its goal?
  • Note: “other groups” may include but are not limited to; your local, provincial, and national organizations, community outreach groups, other agriculturally based not for profits, and for-profit organizations relationships and partnerships.
• List the team members that will ensure your program is well managed and achieves your desired goals. Include a brief explanation of how their expertise / specialization will make your program a success. (Approximately 300 words) - 4 points
  • Describe the Board of Directors and how they reflect the community the organization serves.
  • Information on the organization’s staff and lead volunteers describing their expertise and background.
• How does this program enrich the city? (Approximately 300 words) - 10 points
  • Why is this program needed and how was it identified?
  • What benefits does your programming have on the agriculture sector and the City?
  • What are the challenges facing your organization?
• What City of Hamilton’s community priorities does your program align with (select up to three that apply):
  • Culture and Diversity
  • Economic Prosperity & Growth
  • Community Engagement and Participation
  • Healthy & Safe Communities
  • Clean and Green
  • Built Environment and Infrastructure
• Describe how your program is aligned with the community priorities chosen. (Approximately 200 words) - 5 points

Agriculture Specific Form

Describe the way your organization’s program will create educational opportunities for youth in Hamilton to become engaged and involved with agriculture and/or local food. (Approximately 300 words) - 10 points

• Provide details on youth programming and partnerships to encourage youth involvement agriculture.

Budget Information Form

• Brief Revenue and Expenses - 10 points
  Provide point form, brief notes to support proposed budget. of line items.
• In-kind: Provide the estimated volunteer hours and value of other in-kind contributions. The total in-kind value will automatically be reflected on the program revenue.
• Attachments – Support Material and Documents.
• Board of Directors list (mandatory) - Include role & titles, length on BOD. - 4 points
• Staff list (optional) - Include job titles and whether full or part-time.
• Financial Statements (mandatory) - If audited financial statements are not available, then unaudited statements are required. - 5 points
  Note: for grant requests greater than or equal to $30,000 audited financial statements are mandatory.
• Program Marketing Material (optional). Poster, flyer, pamphlet, etc.
• Program Specific Material (if applicable).

Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Accessibility Form

To help us understand how IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Accessibility) groups are currently supported through City Enrichment Funds, please identify the target population for the specific program you are apply to for this application. These are for data collection only and will not be scored or affect your program’s overall evaluation.

Declaration Form

Complete declaration form to certify to the accuracy of your application, and that your organization understands the terms and conditions related to the application. All declaration statements must be agreed to in order to submit.

Signing Authorities Form

Approved funding recommendations will be sent a City Enrichment Fund Funding Agreement. To ensure accurate delivery, please provide the correct signing authority(s) for your organization.

Application Guide

Download the Agriculture Application Guide(PDF, 332.66 KB)