City Enrichment Fund
![decorative blue banner](/sites/default/files/2022-04/sidebar_thinBlue.jpg)
Grants Coordinator
Call 289-260-8119
Email [email protected]
Use the interactive web maps to review the 2024 requests and total funding by ward, program area, and funding streams.
![illustrations of funding icons](/sites/default/files/styles/hero_lg/public/2023-09/postcard_CEF-funding-review.jpg.jpeg?itok=gWJmvzYf)
Bridge and Appeal Funding Now Open
CEF Bridge and Appeals funding provides qualifying applicants additional one-time funding during this CEF transition period.
Applications will be accepted from July 25 through August 22, 2024, 4pm.
City Enrichment Fund Bridge and Appeal Funding
The CEF Bridge and Appeals funding opportunity is designed to provide qualifying applicants additional one-time funding during this CEF transition period. Applicants are eligible to apply for only one of either the Bridge or Appeal funding for each 2024 CEF Application.
Bridge Funding is available to returning applicants who received an A rating in 2024 and who received less funding than the combined 2023 CEF and appeal level.
Appeal funding is designed to address applicants who are facing or who have faced extenuating circumstances impacting their 2024 application.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to review the guidelines for Bridge and Appeals funding to ensure that all specific eligibility requirements are met.
Applicants are eligible to apply for only one of either the Bridge or Appeal funding for each 2024 CEF Application.
Applications will only be considered from those who submitted an application during the original CEF intake period of November 1 to December 15, 2023.
Applicants who applied for multiple applications and are seeking Bridge or Appeals funding for multiple applications must complete a separate Bridge or Appeal application for each application.
CEF 2024 Bridge Funding Guidelines
CEF 2024 Appeals Funding Guidelines
For questions, please reach out to CEF Grant Coordinator or one of our Program Managers.
The 2025 City Enrichment Fund cycle intake period is open from October 1 through November 15, 2025.
The City Enrichment Fund is the City of Hamilton’s municipal investment in a wide range of program areas that supports the City’s Strategic Plan and 25 Year Community Vision.
There are seven Program Areas: Agriculture, Arts, Communities, Culture & Heritage, Community Services, Digital (Pilot Program), Environment, Sports & Active Lifestyles.
Applicant Support
Applicants support is available to any applicant. Please contact staff to let us know how we can provide support through the application process.
- Translation of grant documents including the application form*
- Fillable forms
- Video support
- One on One staff meetings
*Please note that requests must be received by August 15, 4 pm.
Funding Policy
Applicable across all CEF program areas, the 30% funding policy has been updated to only apply to requests above $15,001. Applicants with requests below $15,000 may request funding at various % of their budget and must continue to demonstrate additional funding and/or revenue sources.
This policy update provides greater capacity for applicants to realize and deliver programs and provides greater support to organizations that may not have access to other funding sources and/or who have been largely underfunded.
Please note, this funding policy does not apply to operating streams.
CEF Grant Portal
Impacting three program areas: Agriculture, Digital, Sports and Active Lifestyles, applicants are able to select these specific areas when beginning their application.
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 and Heritage, Community Services, Digital, Environment, Sports and Active Lifestyles.
The City Enrichment Fund is guided by the following 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.
Team Adjudication and Transparency
The City Enrichment Fund bases its funding decisions on the ratings determined by adjudication teams comprised of City of Hamilton staff and peer-adjudicators. Adjudicators are selected based on their subject matter expertise and arms-length position. Each year, the adjudication teams are shared online. Applicants may reach out to staff to access the adjudication comments and general application feedback.
Funding Principles Review - What We Heard
The feedback from the survey and engagement sessions supports a set of Funding Principles that provides funding to all passing applicants, recognizes returning organizations, and provides access to new applicants and programming.
Application, Programs & Funding
- Review the City Enrichment Fund General Guidelines
- Determine the correct Program Area and specific funding Stream
- Review the Stream specific eligibility
- Reach out to a Program Manager to discuss your application and the Stream specific criteria
- Gather program CEF budget information
- Attend the relevant funding area information session - dates listed below under the Program Areas
- Create an account on the grant portal (select ‘individual’) or login if you already have one
- Submit before December 15, 2023
Please note that there are specific items which are deemed eligible and ineligible for each stream. Please review the specific handbooks closely as the ineligible items will be removed from the submitted budget.
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
Digital (Pilot Program)
-
Digital Equity
Environment
-
Capacity Building
-
Projects & Programs
Sports & Active Lifestyles
-
Long Term Athlete Development
-
Sports Awareness
-
Capacity Building
-
Sport Development / Inclusion
-
Accessibility
-
Active for Life
-
Multi-Sport Hosting
Eligibility
Eligibility is included in the General Guidelines:
- The program must take place within the City of Hamilton
- The legal status of the organization/applicant must be a non-profit or a community organization/volunteer organization with non-profit goals, or a professional artist applying to the Creation and Presentation stream only.
Questions? Attend an upcoming Information Session to learn more about each Program Area, how to apply, and to connect with Program Managers. Review the Additional Information section for more information about the specific program areas, frequently asked questions and City Council reports.