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 that receive funds through the City's budget process or are currently receiving funds from 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.

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