Grant Opportunities – The Guelph Community Foundation

Kids to Camp Grant Image, camp councilor sitting on the grass with a camper

The Guelph Community Foundation provides funding grants that promote and support community initiatives and non-profit charitable organizations. We bring local knowledge, experience and a network of community relationships to our grant making.

To ensure you do not miss a funding opportunity, we encourage organizations to subscribe to our newsletter.

Not sure if you are eligible for a grant? Learn more by reading our granting eligibility and guidelines.

Any questions regarding our granting programs can be directed to [email protected] – we’d love to hear from you!

How to Apply:

Create an account in our grants portal which is what is used for all GCF grant applications.
Check to see within your organization if an account has already been created, if you are not sure, please email us at [email protected] – only one organization account is created per organization, multiple users are registered to each organization account and can collaborate on applications together.
Please login to your account to see the currently available application form(s). This login is the same for all funding streams and for all follow up reports. It is also where grant request history is saved. Our portal has the ability to provide a status update on any applications currently in for review.

Note – if you have any outstanding Grant Follow Ups then you may be ineligible for future funding until all requirements of past grants have been fulfilled.

Guelph Community Foundation Grants Programs:

Sleeman Better Water Fund – Now closed

The Sleeman Better Water Fund supports organizations focused on responsible water use (conservation and preservation) or accessibility of clean water in communities. The Sleeman Better Water Fund Grants provide money to registered charities and seek to fund impactful opportunities across Canada, with a funding request of up to $40,000.

Musagetes – Funding for the Arts – Now open

Applications Accepted: February 26 – April 8, 2024

This fund is intended to act as a catalyst for the ongoing production and enjoyment of performing, visual and literary arts excellence in Guelph and area. The aim is to make art more central and meaningful in people’s lives. The grant is particularly interested in funding new approaches to building community and culture. Preference will be given to organizations that engage a community-based partner who satisfies a connection(s) to social justice, environmental resilience, and intercultural relationships through the arts. New projects will be funded to a maximum ask of $5,000. Those seeking funding for art or music therapy projects are encouraged to apply for our Community Grants stream for more appropriate consideration.

Organizations can apply for two different funding options:

1. Project Grant – with the option of dedicating up to 30% of the budget to operating costs.

2. Operational Grant – using 100% of granted dollars for operating funds. These dollars can be used where they are needed most, understanding the ongoing pressures of pandemic recovery. Please note your organization should have a reputation for excellence in the arts and at least 2 years of previous history with Musagetes funding to be eligible.

Learn More

The Waterloo Region Community Foundation is also accepting applications for The Musagetes Fund for their area. If you know of an arts organization in Waterloo Region that might be interested in applying direct them to WRCF’s page for more details: https://www.wrcf.ca/musagetes

GCF Scholarships and Bursaries – Now open

Applying to the scholarship program is restricted to local high school administrators only. Administrators without current credentials should email [email protected] to receive access codes for the granting portal. The Scholarship program opens to applicants on March 8, 2024 by email invitation and will close on April 10, 2024. Notifications of decision process will be made May 24, 2024. Please reach out at any time if any support is needed, we’d be happy to help.

Available Scholarships and Bursaries
– Angelo and Rina Longo Scholarship
– Bruce Graham Memorial Fund – Women in STEM Scholarship
– Class of ’71 Kathryn Winegard Memorial Scholarship
– Eric Goegan Scholarship Award
– Frank Taylor Bursary
– Jamie Vickery Memorial Fund
– John A Hourigan Memorial Award
– Iolanda Maugeri Hall Business Education Bursary
– Mabel Anne Brouwer Scholarship Fund – Women in STEM Scholarship
– Mary Phelan Scholarship
– SmithValeriote Education Bursary

Community Grants – Now closed

Accepting Applications: September 05, 2023 – October 09, 2023

Community Grants is our biggest granting program which provide dollars to registered charities (or non-profits partnered with a registered charity) operating community programs in Guelph or Wellington County. To best provide for those serving our community, and with an understanding of the ongoing pressures of Covid-19, applications are not limited to funding for programing only, but applications for operational and capital projects are also accepted. The granting criteria for charitable organizations seeking funding will require applications to fit within the framework of Toward Common Ground wellbeing concepts and connects to one of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Funding requests are at a maximum of $5000.00 per application.

Wondering if you’re eligible? Contact us at [email protected]!

Kids to Camp – Now closed

We have temporarily closed Kids to Camp for 2024. Our Kids to Camp granting stream will be integrated into our 2024 Community Grants stream, opening late summer 2024, to ensure efficient and sustainable impact. As a result, funds will become available again for 2025 summer programs. To remain committed to the values of Kids to Camp, we will work to prioritize Youth & Child funding in our fall Community Grants cycle.

Our children and youth summer camp funding provides grants to registered charities (or organizations partnered with a registered charity) operating camps that help children and youth from financially disadvantaged families participate in the summer camp experience. If it were not for these funds, many of the local campers who benefit would not otherwise have an opportunity to attend camp – something that can be so beneficial to children’s development.

Community Service Recovery Fund (CSRF) – Now closed

Accepting Applications: January 6, 2023, until February 21, 2023

Charities and non-profits are playing a key role in addressing persistent and complex social problems faced by all Canadians as we shift post pandemic gears. Is your organization looking to adapt and modernize your internal processes? The Community Services Recovery Fund is here to help!

This fund is a $400 million investment from the Government of Canada to support charities and non-profits as they focus on how to adapt their organizations and modernize for pandemic recovery. The Guelph Community Foundation is proud to be working with community foundations across Canada as part of CSRF. This fund is a collaboration between Canadian Red Cross, Community Foundations of Canada, and United Way Centraide Canada to provide funding to Community Service Organizations including non-profit organizations, Indigenous Governing Bodies and Registered Charities located in Canada.

Funding from the program will not be available for direct program or service delivery, but for organizations to complete internal work that can support as they transform, adapt, and build resilience. The minimum grant amount to be awarded is $10,000, and all CFC funds (including GCF) will go to support organizations applying for organizational system and processes’ transformation. CSRF responds to what charities and non-profits need right now and supports organizations as they adapt to the long-term impacts of the pandemic. Please note that applications for this program will be received by an external program, and will not be processed through GCF’s normal granting portal.

Visit the Community Services Recovery Fund website to learn how to apply, explore resources for applicants, check eligibility criteria, and sign up for upcoming webinars.

Ready to apply? Begin at the CFC CSRF Application Portal