Community Support Fund

• Inspire and lift the community spirit. We are in this together.
• Support the wellbeing and mental health of our community members.
• Encourage neighbourhoods, arts, recreation, sports and culture groups to create new ways of connecting with each other.
• Support local investment/economy.
• Celebrate diversity and create a sense of belonging.
• Encourage the community to respond and safely participate in the Province’s and the City’s reopening stages.
• Simplify the funding process to allow broad participation and easy access during unprecedented times.

Ideas for Community Support Fund applications must meet Provincial, Regional and Municipal Health and Safety standards. Examples include:

• Creative ideas from the community to connect with one another through art, recreational, sport and culture events/programs.
• Artistic, sport or wellbeing knowledge sharing through a virtual or in person educational class.
• Initiatives that support neighbourhood connections; neighbours supporting neighbours.
• Free public streaming or downloadable content made available through social media and online platforms.
• A creative intervention, installation or public artwork located in a public-facing space such as a home, balcony or courtyard.

Eligible Applicants

The Community Support Fund is available to Burlington based:

• Informal, unofficial or formal community-based organizations, not-for-profit, grassroots groups schools and faith organizations;
• Individual persons, artists or community champions.

Ineligible Applicants

The Community Support Fund is not available to:

• Organizations and Individuals that receive funds through the City's budget process or are currently receiving funds from the Community Support Fund or any other City grant programs during the same year in which they are applying.
• For-profit companies. 
  Note: Businesses can sponsor a project or apply in partnership with a not-for-profit organization.
• Organizations outside of Burlington. 
  Note: Regional organizations with a project that serves Burlington residents may be eligible to apply for services for the portion provided to Burlington residents

Note: Government agencies can support projects or be in partnership with the eligible applicant.

• Political groups, candidates or politicians.

The project must:

• Adhere to COVID-19 related Municipal, Regional and Provincial health and safety guidelines at the time of application and implementation of the project;
• Be open and inclusive;
• Be within the City of Burlington geographical area;
• Offer free attendance; no ticketed event and/or admission fee may be charged;
• Be completed within one year of the funding approval;
• Be able to satisfy insurance requirements;

• Adhere to municipal, provincial and federal regulatory compliance standards such as building codes, City bylaws, fire regulations, etc.

The Project must clearly demonstrate:

• Compliance with Health and Safety measures and any provincial orders;

• The goals and outcomes expected from the project;
• The benefit to offering the project to the community;
• What the funds will be used to pay for;
• How the project aligns with the goal and objectives of the Fund;
• How it supports the Framework for Recreation.

Insurance

Applicants must be able to maintain third party liability insurance throughout the project in the amount of not less than $2 million, listing The Corporation of the City of Burlington as an additional insured.  
Note: if you do not have insurance, you can apply for insurance through the City of Burlington, using your grant funds.

Complete the application form below.  A City staff member will connect back with you within 30 days to inform you of your application’s standing.  

*Applications may be declined if submission is incomplete or does not clearly demonstrate all the required information.

Application Form

• If approved, you will be asked to sign a letter of understanding and receive 80% of the total funding via cheque at the provided address.
• After the event, you must fill out the Post Survey Report and submit all your receipts electronically for reimbursement within one month from your event date.
  • Ensure the store of purchase, date of purchase, items purchased, and total are visible on the receipts.
• Reimbursement cheques for the remaining 20% of the amount will be mailed to the organizer's address within a month of receipts being submitted.

Post Survey Report

Applicants can receive up to $5000 funding for a one-time Community Support Fund application. Funding will be based on scope and number of virtual/physically distanced participants and/or reach and impact on Burlington community.

Name of Project: Boothman Play Street

Date of Project: Oct. 18, 2020

Total Funding: $2,000

Goal was to get more children playing outside and building relationships within the community. This is creating a stronger sense of community as well as giving the children a safe place to play together.

This is what they said…

This project was amazing! It was truly awesome watching neighbours young and old come out to learn and play a new sport together! Being active and spending time outdoors is so important for a healthy lifestyle and there’s no better way to encourage our children to be active then by leading by example. Our street was so excited to have a COVID-19 safe way to interact and play together. Families and children looked forward to pickleball night every week! This program has helped families get moving together while providing the opportunity to try a new sport without any financial commitment. Many families have taken on a love of the sport pickleball and are looking into continuing playing it going forward! This was such a special program for our street and community, truly something everyone looked forward to each week!

Name of Project: White Pines Movie Night

Date of Project: Sept. 25, 2020

Total Funding: $1,559.50

Goal was to have a neighbourhood Movie Night on the street, with physical distancing.  Treats will be out for everyone.

This is what they said…

The objective of the project is to bring the White Pines Drive neighbourhood closer together and reach out to each family new and old to strengthen the core of the City of Burlington. This event during this time of isolation will be a small way of connecting with our neighbourhood families. In the past 6 years we have had a Love my Neighbourhood BBQ. These events help to strengthen our community our street and solidify relationships on White Pines Drive. From ages 85 to infants the community out reach is what Burlington is built on. This type of community spirit is a great feel good experience for our street and community.

Name of Project: Bonnie Court Get Together

Date of Project: Sept. 10, 2020

Total Funding: $1,395

Celebrate new friendships with an outdoor party in a court. With the pandemic and being forced to stay at home or close to home the kids were still allowed to play outside and interact with each other while still maintaining social distance in the middle of the court. 

This is what they said…

A good time was had by all and we rotated who could come and join again to keep the numbers under the 25. We have the most amazing group of neighbours in our court. I couldn’t ask for a more loving and supportive group of people during “normal” times never mind during a global pandemic.

Name of Project: Hadfield Court Movie Night

Date of Project: Sept. 10, 2020

Total Funding: $2,686.50

The goal of this event was to provide the children and families on the street with an opportunity it’s to connect with their friends and neighbours after a very long and lonely period of isolation. This event fostered a sense of community, connection, and comfort while maintaining appropriate safety and social distancing measures. It was a bright spot and an opportunity for the kids to experience the joy of a fun community event.

This is what they said…

The families on the street were thrilled to have the chance to reconnect with their neighbours after months of isolation.  The children in the court all came dressed up as their favourite movie characters, and enjoyed cotton candy, and treats from our free concession stand. A wonderful time was had by all the neighbours. Neighbours gave generously to Halton Food4Kids and we raised over $800 for families in need.

Name of Project: Yoga in the Park

Date of Project: Aug. to Nov. 1, 2020

Total Funding: $681.49

Free exercise and stretching program offered Sunday mornings in Burloak Park for local residents.

This is what they said…

We had one mom say that these classes were “the highlight of her week” and many of the kids looked forward to their park visits too!

Name of Project: Live at the Apollo Concert Series

Date of Project: Select Fridays from July to Sept.

Total Funding: $1,700

Provided the community residents with a family event that they would enjoy a wide variety of professional musicians playing live music.

This is what they said…

This project was to provide the neighbourhood community with outdoor live music entertainment throughout the summer. We drew many families from the community, had physical distancing rules in place and received back many comments of thanks and appreciation for providing people with free family entertainment. The overall experience learned that residents love live music in this setting, outdoors in good weather and a time schedule that suited everyone.