Community Grant and Sponsorship Program

• To support programs, projects, and services that are of a general strategic benefit to the Municipality of Central Elgin,
• To support volunteer, community-based organizations who are fundamental to maintaining quality of life,
• To provide Staff and Council with clear criteria for considering and responding to requests for donations, grants, or sponsorships from external sources,
• To provide an equitable process for groups and organizations seeking donations, grants or sponsorship support whether monetary or in-kind from the Municipality of Central Elgin,
• To promote financial accountability and responsible stewardship of public funds using a process that permits adequate financial planning for grants or sponsorship.

a. Must operate as a registered charity, or incorporated non-profit or volunteer organization offering programs or services that provide benefit to the general community. 

b. Must demonstrate a clear need for the funds being requested to enable the group or organization to provide a specific program, service, or initiative.

c. Must be located within the Municipality and/or provide a direct benefit to the Municipality and/or its ratepayers/residents.

d. Shall submit a completed application form by the specified dates.

e. May be required to provide a budget for the project/event that easily and clearly outlines financial information about the specific project/initiative for which the funding is being requested and must accurately disclose the full value of any pledges outstanding or funding received for the project/event.

f. When requested, prior year comparative actual financial information of the same event must be provided

g. Must include all necessary application documentation and information.

h. Must provide a copy of the group or organization’s most recent annual financial statements with the application, or when requested.

i. The group or organization has fulfilled any obligations outstanding from previous awards of grants or sponsorship by the Municipality.

j. Incomplete application/information will be deemed ineligible and will not be forwarded to Council for consideration.

k. Application requests will be date-stamped when received and acknowledgement sent to the applicant by email.

l. Late applications will be deemed ineligible and funds will not be paid to programs/initiatives that occur before the application deadline.

m. Applications will be reviewed and evaluated to ensure completeness. Any deficiencies will be noted to the applicant.

n. Council will choose to allocate, or not allocate, funds to eligible groups or organizations, in its sole and unfettered discretion.

o. Payments will be issued for the total amount that Council has approved for each group or organization following the approval of the application received.

p. Only one application per group/organization will be considered per year.

q. Only one grant per group/organization will be given for one program/event per year, stacking of projects will not be allowed.

r. Grants and sponsorships made by the Municipality are not to be regarded as a commitment to continue such funding in perpetuity or again at any time in the future.

s. In making a grant or sponsorship, Committee or Council may impose such conditions and/or restrictions as it deems fit.

t. No request shall be granted that binds the Corporation beyond the current term of Council. A valid certificate of insurance must be provided with the application.

a. Individuals.

b. For-profit businesses.

c. Groups/Organizations with political affiliation.

d. Groups/Organizations who have failed to provide satisfactory reports, including requested financial statements, as to the success or outcomes of previous funding and specifically with respect to the allocation of grant funds previously provided.

e. Other levels of government or organizations primarily funded by other levels of government.

f. Discriminatory activities and events.

g. Activities that are contrary to the policies of the Municipality.

h. Activities which are deemed to be unlawful.

i. Activities where the funds will not directly benefit an event held by the applicant but will be used to raise the profile of the applicant for the sole purpose of supporting the fundraising activities of another group.

j. Late, incomplete, or multiple applications by any group

k. Loan Guarantees for any outside organization or project.

l. Capital projects or one-time programming that has previously received Municipal support to the maximum of 10% of the cost of the project or program.

m. Capital projects that duplicate infrastructure already owned and maintained by the Municipality.

Yes, requests may include in-kind contributions for Municipally owned resources:

i. Use of Municipally owned facility(s) – fee waived or reduced.

ii. Use of Municipally owned equipment (includes Municipal staff to operate equipment) – fee waived or reduced.

iii. Use of Municipally owned materials – fee waived or reduced.

iv. Use of Staff resources – regular/overtime at current rates.

v. Maximum value of any in-kind donation cannot exceed $2,000.

Will funding be available in 2026?

The Community Grant and Sponsorship Program is a pilot initiative for 2025. Funding for 2026 will be considered as part of the Municipality’s annual budget process.

Where can I find the Report to Council on this program? 

The report that was submitted to Central Elgin Council is available here.