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. Community recreation includes sport, fitness, youth leadership, camping/outdoor education, play groups, arts and cultural activities. Since 2014, the Ontario Endowment for Children and Youth in Recreation Fund has granted over $800,000 to over 100 organizations in Waterloo Region.
In 2024, $147,000 was distributed to 18 location organizations through the Ontario Endowment for Children and Youth in Recreation Fund. Read our press release for a list of who received support.
How can our organization apply?
The Ontario Endowment for Children and Youth in Recreation Fund accepted applications between August 6, 2024 and September 16, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. (EST). Applications are now closed.
Guidelines to help you apply
The maximum amount to apply for is $10,000
Funding must be used for eligible expenses between December 1, 2024 and December 31, 2025
Organizations receiving funding must be located in Waterloo Region and serving Waterloo Region residents
Applications will be considered from:
Registered charitable organizations
Qualified donees recognized by Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)
Organizations through a partnership with a fiscal partner
This partnership allows WRCF to provide the fiscal partner with the funding on your behalf. If you plan to partner this way, they would be your organization’s “fiscal partner” for this funding. If your organization plans to apply with a fiscal partner, download, fill, and submit this form with your application
Note: $63,000 of the funds available are from the WRCF Community Fund and are eligible to be distributed to organizations located anywhere in Waterloo Region. $27,000 of the funds have been made available through Fundholders and are to be directed specifically to eligible organizations located in Cambridge or North Dumfries.
To determine if your organization is eligible, and to understand how the funding can be used, access the Funding Guidelines (pdf)
To download a copy of the application so you can see all the questions before you apply, access the Application (pdf)
Download a Budget Template (xls)
Evaluation Report
If you receive funding, your organization will be required to submit an evaluation report before January 31, 2026. See a copy of the Evaluation report (pdf), so you know in advance what questions you would need to respond to.
If you have any questions, contact Lila Kennedy at lila@wrcf.ca or 519-725-1806 ext 103.
(Note: You have the option of submitting a paper or verbal application. If you prefer to submit a verbal application, please contact Lila no later than August 23, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. (EST) to set up a time to do this.)
Information Session: Ontario Endowment for Children and Youth in Recreation Fund
We hosted an informational webinar on August 21, 2024 at 12:00 pm (EST). You will find a recording of the video below.
UN Sustainable Development Goals
WRCF gathers data to connect local impact to the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Applications to the Youth in Recreation Fund will ask charities to indicate which one(s) your funding requests align with. (Note: Responses to this question will not be a factor in the review and potential funding of an application).
Visit the United Nations website to learn more about the 17 UN SDGs by clicking the button below.
