About Grants
As a charity, that is a public foundation and a funding organization, Waterloo Region Community Foundation (WRCF) helps community organizations make a difference by providing them with funds for new programs, capital needs, student financial assistance and much more, through WRCF funds and grant streams.
When you make a donation or gift to WRCF, we invest that gift into a permanent endowment fund. Your original gift is not spent. It generates income that is then distributed through grants to support a wide range of charitable causes within our community. It is through these grants that we help Fundholders and donors contribute to organizations and issues they care about. To learn more about the different types of funds available through WRCF click here.
Types of Grants
Grants are distributed in two ways:
Fundholders select the charitable organizations they want to support through their fund.
WRCF manages a variety of grant streams on an annual basis, that organizations can apply to for funding based on specific funding priorities.
If you have any questions or would like to learn more about our grants, contact us at grants@wrcf.ca
WRCF Annual Grant Streams
Here is a brief summary of the grant streams that are currently available on an annual basis through WRCF. We’ve listed them according to the month that they typically open during the year. Any grant streams that are open right now will be available in the Granting drop down menu, so you can easily access more detailed information to be able to potentially apply for funding.
The Waterloo Region Record - Lyle S. Hallman Foundation Kids to Camp Fund
The Kids to Camp Fund provides grants to camps enabling children and youth who reside in Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo, North Dumfries, Wellesley, Wilmot and Woolwich who are in need of financial assistance to attend a variety of day, overnight, recreational and educational camps. Applications to this grant is now closed.
Arts Grants Fund
The Arts Grants Fund provides grants to small to mid-sized arts organizations and collectives in Waterloo Region to support local arts initiatives and the needs of the arts community. Application opens February 24 and closes March 31.
Waterloo Region Community Fund, Cambridge Community Fund, and North Dumfries Community Fund
WRCF is focused on ensuring our communities are equitable, connected, and sustainable; and people are thriving. Annually, WRCF provides support to nonprofits located in and serving Waterloo Region residents through a Community Grants stream with funding made available through the Waterloo Region Community Fund, Cambridge Community Fund, and North Dumfries Community Fund. Application opens February 24 and closes March 31.
Racial Equity Fund
Racialized communities are being disproportionately affected by inequities. The Racial Equity Fund supports organizations that are led-by and serve people across Waterloo Region who are Indigenous, Black and people of colour. Application opens February 24 and closes March 31.
The Musagetes Fund
The Musagetes Fund provides grants to registered charitable organizations that support making the arts more central and meaningful in people’s lives by building community and culture. Application expected to open in August.
Ontario Endowment for Children and Youth in Recreation Fund
The Ontario Endowment for Children and Youth in Recreation Fund provides grants to organizations that encourage broad participation in healthy and safe community recreation activities for children and youth in Waterloo Region. Application expected to open in August.
Waterloo Region International Plowing Match 1995 and 2012 Fund
The IPM Fund provides grants to organizations whose services benefit the citizens of Waterloo Region and that focus on agriculture, health and/or education. Application expected to open in August.
The Woolwich Community Fund
The Woolwich Community Fund was established to meet a wide range of changing needs that exist across Woolwich Township now, and in perpetuity. Grants specifically focus on enhancing the quality of life for children and youth who reside in Woolwich. Application expected to open in August.
The Waterloo Region Apply website is a great resource for other local funding opportunities.
Recognition guidelines
If your organization receives funding from WRCF, we appreciate public recognition wherever possible. We understand that the type of recognition you are able to provide will depend on the nature of how you handle recognition at your organization, and we would not expect you to do anything that doesn’t align with your organization’s values.