WRCF grant streams focused on social infrastructure
On February 24, 2025, Waterloo Region Community Foundation (WRCF) opened three of its grant streams: Arts Grants, Community Grants, and Racial Equity Grants.
The combined focus of these grant streams is on the ways that meaningful social interactions strengthen the social infrastructure within and across Waterloo Region. The activation of spaces through programming has the ability to bring people together to create engagement, opportunities for learning and growth, and improved social cohesion within our community(ies). Three types of activated spaces are:
Hubs – Where interactions are encouraged among diverse groups that may not otherwise interact, creating opportunities for people to connect from different backgrounds, and fostering broader community ties.
Havens – Which provide safe environments for people with shared identities or backgrounds to come together, fostering close ties and a sense of belonging. They shouldn’t be so exclusive that they prevent connections across differences.
Hangouts – Which support casual, everyday interactions, offering people the chance to connect organically and live life in public.[1]
Applications are open until March 31, 2025 at 3:00 PM EST. Only one application per organization will be considered across these three grant streams. For more information click on the links below.
Arts Grants
Approximately $220,000 is available to support small or medium sized arts organizations and collectives.
Community Grants
Approximately $700,000 is available to organizations that are focused on initiatives linked to improving social infrastructure. The Trinity United Church Legacy Fund is partnering with WRCF again in 2025 and is providing additional funding.
Racial Equity Grants
Approximately $300,000 is available to organizations that are led by someone who self-identifies as Indigenous, Black, or a person of colour.
[1] Thank you to Gehl Studio for permission to incorporate elements of their framework of social infrastructure, https://issuu.com/gehlarchitects/docs/gehl_social_infrastructure_final_report.
