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.

Applications for projects that recur and/or are similar will be adjudicated based on the assessment criteria as outlined above and on the following:

• Success of the previous project;
• Innovation within the project;
• Availability of funds in the context of funding priorities.

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 $1,500 funding for a one-time Community Support Fund Community gatherings/neighbourhood parties/health and fitness classes and similar events application.

Applicants can receive up to $5,000 funding for a one-time Community Support Fund special project application.

Applicants may receive partial funding depending on the discretion of the adjudication team.

Funding will be based on scope and number of virtual/physically distanced participants and/or reach and impact on Burlington community.

Name of Project: Christmas in the Creek

Date of Project: Dec. 10 to 25, 2020

Total Funding: $4,278

Goals: Bring smiles and Christmas joy to many people in the Sheldon Creek neighbourhood both young and old, from young babies waving to Santa, to our senior citizens in the two care homes in the area.

This is what they said…

"Thank you to all the volunteers and to the City of Burlington for funding so many activities for our community this holiday season! What might have been a challenging Christmas, has made our community join together and rediscover what the true meaning of holiday spirit. On a personal level, my children have said this was one of the best holidays - walking in our neighbourhood looking for our Sheldon the Elf, participating in the car parade, having Santa visit our porch with a personalized message, virtual arts and crafts, having a personalized Santa letter delivered to our door, decorating the tree of hope and their first experience in helping organize food for the Burlington food bank. I am truly grateful for all these amazing experiences. The little lights of joy it sparked in my girls alone meant the world to me. And hearing the stories from our other neighbours that it did the same for their families is very powerful. Thank you, thank you, thank you!"

Name of Project: Into the Wild

Date of Project: Nov. 6, 2020

Total Funding: $4,500

Goals: Our project was an outdoor theatre show about the environment and our relationship to it. The characters in the show represented the four elements and others were fantasy creatures. Through music and movement, we tell the story of the history of the downtown core area and how we have arrived. Bringing people together (but separate) on their lawns, porches, and balconies to witness the same event gives people a sense of community, belonging, social stability and sense of well-being.

This is what they said…

"It was lovely to hear people shouting from across the street and waving from patios or inside their homes as we passed. Passengers in cars waved and honked as they passed by and the people who followed us on our complete journey were so happy to be a part of the project and to dance."

Name of Project: Sheldon Creek Spook Fest

Date of Project: Oct. 31, 2020

Total Funding: $4,160

Goal: This project, a Halloween Festival, raised the ‘spirits’ of our community. Most of the activities were offered virtually and included: A costume parade that passed by the long-term care facility, virtual craft activities, pumpkin carving, costumes and decorating contests. Everything was designed to allow children and families to enjoy the Halloween season safely, while fostering positive relations in the neighbourhood.

This is what they said…

"Sheldon Creek’s Spook Fest brought so much excitement to our household. The dedication, planning and organization that went into this event is so recognized and very much appreciated. The amazing team of volunteers planned safe, yet fun, ways to celebrate this Halloween holiday. Spook Fest kept all of Sheldon Creek’s spirits high for both young and old. We are proud to be a part of such a caring and compassionate community!"

"Hands down this brought our community together, safely, in an unprecedented time. COVID has taken so much from so many this year and something as simple as a community event like our Spook Fest brought some badly needed joy to people of all ages. A huge tip of the hat to all our organizers and the City of Burlington for making this happen."

Name of Project: Boothman Play Street

Date of Project: Oct. 18, 2020

Total Funding: $2,000

Goal: To get more children playing outside and building relationships within the community. This will create 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: Neighbourhood Nature Play Group

Date of Project: Oct. 14 to Nov. 25, 2020

Total Funding: $1,477.18

Goal: to inform local families on the benefits of nature through free programs and activities for children in Pineland Park.

This is what they said...

"I am happy for any chance to get the kids outside and to see some of their friends...it lets them spread out and choose different things. Keep us posted and stay well!!"

"(B) was so happy when he ran around the corner and saw other kids playing! It’s been so long since we were able to all connect in the beauty of nature. Thank you thank you!!!!!"

"The boys have loved all the messy play! They even asked for a mud kitchen for Christmas. Oh boy!!! Looking forward to the chance to reconnect once all this is over."

Name of Project: White Pines Movie Night

Date of Project: Sept. 25, 2020

Total Funding: $1,559.50

Goal: to have a neighbourhood Movie Night on the street, with physical distancing.  

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

Goal: to celebrate new friendships with an outdoor party. Allow kids 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

Goal: to provide children and families on the street with an opportunity to connect with their friends and neighbours after a very long and lonely period of isolation.

to foster a sense of community, connection and comfort while maintaining appropriate safety and social distancing measures. 

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

Goal: to offer free exercise and stretching program 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

Goal: to provide the community residents with a family event with 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."