City Enrichment Fund
Grants Coordinator
Call 905-546-2424 ext. 4524
Email [email protected]
Please reach out for applicant support and translation services.
Use the interactive web maps to review the 2024 requests and total funding by ward, program area, and funding streams.
2025 Applications Now Available
The 2025 City Enrichment Fund intake period is open from October 1 to November 15 at 4 pm.
City Enrichment Fund 2025 Cycle
The City Enrichment Fund (CEF) is the City’s municipal investment in a wide range of program areas that support the City’s Strategic Plan and 25 Year Community Vision. The grant program is comprised of Program Areas, Streams and Categories.
Program Overview
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 & Heritage, Community Services, Digital, Environment, Sports & Active Lifestyles.
The City Enrichment Fund is guided by this 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.
2025 Grant Portal Updates
- The CEF grant portal has been updated to included separate selections for each CEF program area. Please be sure to select the correct program area when beginning the application.
- Due to the grant portal updates, returning applicants are not able to reuse the previous year information. This feature will return in 2026.
3-year Multi-Year Funding
The City Enrichment Fund is piloting a 3-year Multi-Year Funding program. To be considered for multi-year funding applicants must:
- Be within an eligible Program Area and Stream
- Self-identify as a multi-year candidate within the year 1 application (2025)
- Have received CEF funding for the same program in the prior year (2024)
- Submit a 3-year programming outline as part of the year 1 application
- Is in a healthy financial position according to the CEF financial review process and, if applicable, provides a deficit reduction plan and surplus justification
- Is providing the program and/or service described in the year 1 application over the 3-year multi-year funding period (2025-2028)
Please review the CEF General Guidelines for more information.
- Annual CEF cycle opens each Fall, with Information Sessions available to new and returning applicants.
- Review the guidelines and handbook(s) to ensure the program meets the CEF program area and stream. Please reach out to staff to discuss the program and CEF requirements.
- Prepare the application! Provide detailed application responses and a clear budget.
- Submit the application and required support material.
- Submitted applications are assessed and scored by adjudication teams made up of City staff and external community members. Final ratings are determined through this assessment.
- Funding recommendations are based on the available CEF budget and final ratings.
- In the Spring, applications results and funding recommendations are presented to Grants Sub-Committee and Council for approval.
- Successful applicants are notified and provided with a funding agreement.
- Funding is released following the submission of the agreement.
- All applicants may request application review and receive adjudicator comments.
- Grantee final reports are submitted through the grant portal (February to April).
Eligibility is included in the General Guidelines. Applicants are strongly encouraged to review the Guidelines and Handbooks for specific eligibility requirements and attend an upcoming Information Session to learn more about each Program Area, how to apply, and to connect with Program Managers.
- The program must take place within the city of Hamilton.
- Applicants must be a non-profit organization (professional, community, or volunteer based). Professional artists and collectives may apply under the Arts - Creation and Presentation stream only.
- Applicants must also meet Program Area and Stream specific eligibility for which they are applying.
Program Funding Areas
Bridge and Appeal Funding
The Bridge and Appeal funding process is now closed. View results
Notice of Collection
The City of Hamilton collects information under authority Section 227 of the Municipal Act, 2001. Any personal information collected for the City Enrichment Fund will be used for the administration of the City Enrichment Fund grant program. By providing your email address, you are consenting to receiving emails from the City of Hamilton and/or their agents/contractors for the administration of the City Enrichment Fund. Information collected for this initiative may be stored on servers located in Canada and the United States and may be subject to Canadian and/or American laws. Questions about the collection of this personal information can be directed to Grant & Strategic Partnerships Coordinator, Government & Community Relations Division, 71 Main St W, Hamilton Ontario, 905-546-2424 ext. 4524.