Grants & Bursaries
Community Recreation and Culture (CRC) Grants
Please be advised that the Community Recreation and Culture Grants deadline is Friday, February 10th, 2023 at 4:00 p.m. Applications are no longer being accepted for 2023.
There are two types of CRC grants - Financial and In-Kind Facility. They are intended to assist non-profit, charitable or volunteer-based organizations or groups that operate in the Town of Collingwood. There is one application intake per year.
2023 Grant Information
For the 2023 program, applications are received starting Wednesday, December 21, 2022. The deadline is Friday, February 10, 2023 at 4:00 p.m.
The preference is that applicants use the online application form. If this creates a barrier to participation, contact the grant coordinator for assistance. (grants@collingwood.ca or call 705-441-6088)
All applicants must demonstrate how they align with the Parks, Recreation and Culture (PRC) mandate and Inclusion Statement.
PRC Mandate:
The Town of Collingwood Parks, Recreation & Culture mandate supports the health and well-being of the community by providing opportunities for all persons to participate in arts, culture, recreation and sport.
Inclusion Statement:
The Town of Collingwood is committed to building an inclusive and accessible environment where all members of the community feel valued, respected and supported. The CRCG program is committed to using public funds to support initiatives that treat all members of our community with dignity and fairness and in no way limit individual rights and activities.
One application per organization or group for each type of grant will be considered. You may apply for both a Financial Grant and an In-Kind Facility Grant on one application if it is for the same project.
Financial grants are available to eligible applicants that have a clearly defined project with an outcome that furthers their organization and aligns with the Grant Criteria. Applicants must select between two grant amounts. Unsuccessful applications for $5,000 will not then be considered for $1,500.
- $1,500: 19 grants available
- $5,000: 6 grants available
A maximum of $35,000 is available for In-Kind Facility Grants annually. Appliants are those wishing to have the fees waived for use of a Town facility. The maximum grant per eligible applicant is $5000 and the minimum request is $500.
Prior to applying, applicants must contact a Recreation Service Advisor to preliminarily book the facility and to determine the value of their In-Kind Facility Grant request. Contact 705-444-2500 ext 3382 or email prc@collingwood.ca. Learn more about the Town's facilities here.
The Town will not provide chairs or tables for organizations or events unless they are already in the facility.
Applications are submitted online. The application will be available on Wednesday December 21, 2022. The deadline to apply is Friday, February 10, 2023, 4:00 p.m.
For those wanting to learn more about the program, two information sessions will be held on the following dates:
Wednesday, January 11, 12:00(noon) -1:00 p.m.
Thursday, January 19, 6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.
The sessions will be held online using Zoom. Register by emailing grants@collingwood.ca.
Those wishing to attend who are unavailable or anyone requiring assistance are encouraged to contact the grant coordinator.
Step 1: Review Eligibility and Grant Criteria.
Step 2: Determine if your project is best suited for a Financial Grant or an In-Kind Facility Grant request. Note: One application per organization/group per type of grant will be considered. If your In-Kind Facility Grant request and Financial Grant request are for the same project, you may use one application.
Step 3: Complete your project budget using the CRC Project Budget template. If you are applying for an In-Kind Facility Grant, contact a Recreation Service Advisor to preliminarily book the facility and determine the value of your request. (705-441-6088 or grants@collingwood.ca)
Step 4: Prepare your application using the CRC application template provided. We recommend that you save your responses in this document and paste them into the online form.
If you require assistance in completing your application, please contact grants@collingwood.ca.
Applicant Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must meet all of the following eligibility requirements:
- Collingwood-based, not-for-profit, charitable or volunteer-based.
- Supports the community by providing opportunities for all persons to participate in arts, culture, recreation, sport and health and well-being activities.
The degree to which applicants meet the requirements below will be weighed to form part of the evaluation.
• Meets Grant Criteria.
• Financially responsible and in good standing with the Town.
• Capable of initiating and managing the proposed project.
• Demonstrates an inclusive and accessible organization that supports diversity and equity.
Individuals and Town of Collingwood boards and committees are not eligible.
Project Eligibility Requirements
For the purposes of this grant program, projects are special events, programs or activities. Projects must meet all the following eligibility criteria:
- Open to the public and to take place between March 1, 2023 and April 30, 2024.
- Non-denominational in nature.
The degree to which the project meets the requirements below will be weighted to form part of the evaluation (Grant Allocation and Assessment).
- Meets Grant Criteria.
- Demonstrates inclusive and accessible programs or services that support diversity and equity.
- Clearly defined and understood.
- Supports the growth of the applicant organization.
- Has support from other funders and partners.
Examples of items within your project that are eligible for a Financial Grant include:
- supplies and equipment of a non-permanent nature
- marketing
- volunteer development and training
- entertainment
- rental of venues and equipment
- food and refreshments (non-alcoholic)
- professional service fees
Examples of items within your project that are not eligible for a Financial Grant include:
- capital projects, bricks and mortar
- salaries for staff
- day to day operational expenses
Examples of Town fees that can be waived under the In-Kind Grant include:
- Park rental fees
- PRC facility fees
The applicant and the project must demonstrate clear and substantial support for one of the following Grant Criteria:
- Youth Involvement: Engages youth in behind-the-scenes opportunities and offers skill building roles to support and empower youth, (i.e. coaches, facilitators, guides, trainers).
- Learn to Programs: Offers hands-on opportunities to participate. Embraces a philosophy of active learning and doing rather than passive spectating, (i.e. workshops, try-it-out activities).
- Local and Live Music: Promotes and features Collingwood’s local music creators, (i.e. singer/songwriters, composers, producers, recording studios).
- Cultural Innovation: Is an imaginative, unique or transformative project, (i.e. uses the arts as a tool to drive social change, celebrate diversity or build a sense of community).
- Collaboration: Fosters relationships and cooperation among different organizations and events, (i.e. links arts with fitness)
- Intergenerational Programs: Encourages all ages to participate and learn together, (i.e. grandparents with grandchildren).
- Active Aging: Fosters health & well-being throughout life and in particular those facing barriers to healthy living, (i.e. movement for injury prevention).
In-Kind Facility Grant requests are evaluated by staff. Financial Grant requests are evaluated by a team of staff and community volunteers assembled for this purpose.
Applicants will be notified of the outcomes by the end of March 2023. Grants are awarded by cheque (mailed) or by Electronic Fund Transfer. Recipients who have an outstanding report for a 2022 grant (project takes place between January 1 and March 31, 2023), will not be issued their 2023 grant funds until a post grant report is received and approved.
Payment is issued to the applicant organization or group and will not be issued to another organization or an individual.
Grant Assessment
Projects and applicants that satisfy the following factors are considered higher priority for funding. Each factor below is scored and then weighted to reflect the CRCG priorities. The weighting is in brackets.
1. Project has support from other funders and partners and utilizes partnerships to strengthen the project, reach new audiences, add value and expand capacity. (x4)
2. Applicant and project meet a recognized need in the community and demonstrate clear and substantial support for one of the Grant Criteria.(As an organization x2, as a Project x3)
3. Applicant shows strong financial and organizational stability. (x2)
4. Applicant and project support inclusive public participation. This includes promoting access for all regardless of age, income level, culture, gender, ability and treating all members of the community with dignity and fairness. (x3)
5. Applicant is capable of initiating and managing the project. (x4)
6. Project supports the growth and sustainability of the organization. (x3)
The goal of the CRC Grant Program is to provide grants where they are most needed, therefore you may be asked to provide additional information, including your organization’s financial overview.
A Post Grant Report is required within 60 days following the conclusion of the project for which a CRC Grant was received.
Groups receiving grants are asked to recognize the Town’s contribution.
Special events to take place on municipal property require a Special Event Permit.
The preference is that grant applications be submitted online using the application form. If completion of the application online is a barrier to submission, please contact grants@collingwood.ca or call 705-444-6088 and we will be happy to assist you.
Deadline for Submissions: Friday, February 10, 2023, 4:00 p.m.
In alignment with ParaSport Ontario, this program shall follow and foster the goals of the 2008 Ontario Paralympic Winter Championships which were held in Collingwood and area February 15 – 18, 2008. In particular, this grant shall strive to:
increase opportunities for the development of athletes with a disability to pursue competitive goals and achieve their personal potential
develop, promote and enhance amateur sport at the community level
Surplus funds are not to be used for the general purposes or operating costs of any municipality.