Community Grants Program

The Community Grants Program is an initiative designed to support not-for-profit community groups and individuals who enrich the lives of Welland residents. The program offers three distinct funding streams, each aimed at fostering community involvement and enhancing the quality of life in our city.

This policy outlines the three funding streams, eligibility criteria, and the application, evaluation, and approval process for obtaining a community grant. Successful applicants will demonstrate how their programs, events, or social services align with the City's goal of benefiting residents through arts and culture, community events, or social services.

The City of Welland values the contributions of those who work to keep our community active, healthy, and engaged. Through this program, we aim to develop partnerships that support these efforts and ensure that our residents continue to thrive.

Program Eligibility

The CGP offers funding to not-for-profit organizations that have been actively creating and delivering arts and culture programs, special events, or social service initiatives for at least one year. To be eligible for funding, all applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Be actively operating within the City of Welland.
• Offer programs or services that are accessible to the general public and are promoted city-wide.
• Demonstrate strong fiscal responsibility and sustainability in their operations.
• Maintain a diversified revenue base, which may include memberships, significant earned income, funding from other government levels, and private sector support through fundraising, donations, and sponsorships.

Community organizations and ad-hoc groups that operate on a not-for-profit basis but are not incorporated are also eligible to apply for community grants. However, non-incorporated applicants may receive a maximum of $3,000 in funding.

Individual artists may apply for funding under the Arts and Culture program and services funding stream. However, projects that are political or religious in nature, or that promote related doctrines, are not eligible for funding.

Application Process

Community Grant applications will be reviewed annually, with deadlines set and announced by City staff each year following the annual budget process. A public information session will be held each year to inform the public about the Community Grant Program, including details on the application, evaluation, and approval processes.

To be considered, all applications must be complete and submitted by the established deadline. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.

The application forms are designed to gather detailed information about the project and the applicant to assist staff in conducting an eligibility review and evaluation. For organizations, this includes a full disclosure of revenue generation efforts, grants received from other government levels, reserve funds, and flow-through fundraising. Applicants must provide audited financial records. If audited records are unavailable, a notice to reader/compilation engagement report, signed off by the organization’s board of management, must be submitted.

For further information, especially about the evaluation and approval process and funding conditions, please review the included Community Grants Policy document.