City Enrichment Fund

Information Session

Tuesday, November 21, 12 noon to 1pm Online

Agriculture Program – Events & Programs
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.

Registration
Email [email protected]
 

Information Sessions

Tuesday, November 14, 12 noon to 1 pm Online

Creation & Presentation Stream - Artist Project Funding
This session will introduce the City Enrichment Fund and provide an overview of the Creation & Presentation funding stream. The eligibility, artist project overview, support material requirements, expectations and the requirements of the funding stream will be reviewed. It will also include tips on preparing an application and conclude with a Q&A.

This session is intended for artists and artist collectives at any stage of their career. The Creation & Presentation stream provides project grants for the creation of new work and its presentation.

Registration
Email [email protected]

Wednesday, November 15, 12 noon to 1 pm Online

Arts Organizations
This session will introduce the City Enrichment Fund and provide an overview of the three Funding Streams that are available to not-for-profit Arts Organizations: Arts Operating, Arts Festivals, and Arts Capacity Building. The presentation will cover submission requirements and process for the 2024 City Enrichment Fund and conclude with a Q&A. 

This session is intended for returning and new applicants to provide grants to Established, Semi-professional, and Emerging Organizations.

Registration
Email [email protected]

Information Session

Thursday, November 16, 12 noon to 1 pm Online

Communities, Culture & Heritage
This session will introduce the City Enrichment Fund and provide an overview of the three Funding Streams that are available to not-for-profit Cultural organizations: Events and Established Activities, New Projects, and Capacity Building for Cultural Organizations. The presentation will cover submission requirements and process for the 2024 City Enrichment Fund and conclude with a Q&A. This session is intended for returning and new applicants.

Registration
Email [email protected]

Drop-in / Q&A appointments for Arts and Communities, Culture and Heritage Funding Streams

There are multiple options to meet with the Program Manager to receive one-on-one assistance ahead of the City Enrichment Fund application intake deadline.

Virtual Sessions

• Monday November 20, 1 to 4 pm
• Tuesday November 21, 1 to 4 pm
• Thursday November 23, 1 to 4 pm

Please register by emailing [email protected]. First come, first served

In Person

• Wednesday November 22, 2 to 4 pm
• Friday November 24, 1 to 4 pm

No Registration Required. First come, first served.

In-Person drop-in sessions will be held at:
Tourism Hamilton Visitor Information Centre
28 James Street N, Hamilton ON L8R 2K1, Canada.

For more information, or to register for a one-on-one appointment contact [email protected].

Information Sessions

Thursday, November 16, 2 pm to 3 pm Online

Community Services - Program Overview
This session will provide an overview of the Community Services Stream and allow time for questions.

Registration
Email [email protected]

Thursday, November 16, 11 am to 12 noon Online

Community Services - Refresher Session 
This session is targeted to applicants from the Community Services stream that have completed a CEF application before and are comfortable with completing the application form and using the online platform.  This one-hour session will spend the first 30 minutes updating “what’s new for 2024” and the remaining 30 minutes will be reserved for questions and answers.

Registration
Email [email protected]

November 6 to November 30

New Applicant Virtual One on One 30-minute Consultation
For new applicants to the Community Services Emerging Needs stream who require additional support beyond quick responses by phone or email. These focused online mini sessions will provide an opportunity for enhanced support. Once an email request is received, staff will confirm a date/time. To allow access to a mini-session new applicant are limited to one session per program.

Schedule appointment
Email [email protected]

Recorded Community Services Application Information Session

Information Sessions

This session will introduce the City Enrichment Fund and provide an overview of the Digital Program - Digital Equity Initiatives Stream as well. The presentation will cover eligibility, submission requirements, timelines and a Q&A. This session is intended for returning and new applicants.

Registration
Email [email protected]

Alternative Drop In Sessions

Information Sessions

This session will provide an introduction to the City Enrichment Fund Program, as well as provide an overview of the two streams Capacity Building & Projects / Programs that are available for not-for-profit organizations who have an environmental mandate that align with the objectives of the CEF Environmental program. This session is intended for returning and new applicants.

Registration
Email [email protected]

• Tuesday, November 7, 5 to 7 pm 
• Thursday, November 9, 2 to 4 pm

Alternative online drop-in / Q&A (no registration required)

• Tuesday, November 28, 5 to 7 pm 
• Tuesday, December 5, 2 to 4 pm

Information Session

Wednesday, November 22, 1 to 2 pm Online

Sport & Active Lifestyles
This workshop will review the process involved in applying for the various Sport and Active Lifestyle Streams. There will be an opportunity at the end for any questions. Please be sure to review the SAL Guidelines/Handbook prior to attending this meeting.

1. City Enrichment Fund Overview
2. Sport & Active Lifestyles Program
3. Application Overview
4. Keys to Successful Applications
5. Overview of Online Applications
6. Resource & Contact Information
7. Questions

Registration
Email [email protected]

A grant is money given to a person or organization that is designated for a specific purpose and period which does not need to be repaid.

The City Enrichment Fund (CEF) 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 and Our Future Hamilton Community Vision. It is comprised of Program Areas, Streams and Categories.

Program Areas
The seven 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.

Adjudication teams of 3 review each application and assign scores based on a set of assessment criteria. Stream specific assessment criteria is included in each handbook. Each application is scored out of 100, with a rating attached to each rating.

• A = 100 - 80
• B = 79 - 60
• C = 59 - 0

Adjudication teams are made up of external peer-adjudicators and City of Hamilton staff. Arts applications are assessed by a full external peer-adjudication team.

1. Application intake period via online application process
2. Internal documentation and processes
3. Adjudication of applications, scores assigned, and funding recommended according to consistent funding rational
4. Grants Sub-Committee report preparation
5. Grants Sub-Committee Review - Spring
6. Applicants are notified of results

Step 1: Carefully review the Handbooks in your Program Area and Funding Stream to ensure that you understand the eligible and ineligible expenses related to your program budget.

Step 2: Prepare your budget numbers - this can be done directly in the CEF Grant Portal. If helpful, you can download the attached excel template(File, 113 KB) to build your budget.

Step 3: Budgets must be submitted through the CEF Grant Portal, if using the excel template, please transfer all information into the correct section of the portal before submitting.

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 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.

Review direct deposit information including the required forms, or email [email protected]. Registering will reduce the period of time in processing the grant payment.

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].