Grants & Bursaries
Community Recreation and Culture Grants (CRCG)
2024 Grant Information
The purpose of the CRCG is to assist Collingwood-based, not-for-profit, charitable, or volunteer-based organizations in supporting the community by providing opportunities for all persons to participate in arts, culture, recreation, sport, and health and well-being activities.
Organizations or Groups may submit one application per Project for each type of Grant. If seeking both an In-Kind Facility and Financial Grant for the same Project, then one combined application may be submitted.
Financial CRC Grants are available to applicants who present:
1. A clearly defined Project with outcomes that further their Organizational or Group goals
2. A Project that aligns with the CRC Grant Applicant and Program Eligibility as well as Grant Criteria.
Applicants must select between two grant amounts. Unsuccessful applications for $5,000 will not then be considered for $1,500.
$1,500: 19 grants available*
$5,000: 6 grants available*
*The Town of Collingwood reserves the right to adjust the number of grants allocated within each category should the number of successful applications result in a surplus of funds in either category.
A maximum of $35,000 is available for In-Kind Facility Grants annually. Those applicants looking to receive an In-Kind Facility Grant are those who wish to have the fees waived for use of a Town Facility.
The maximum grant per eligible Applicant is $5000 and the minimum request is $500.
Applicants for In-Kind Facility Grants must present:
A clearly defined Project with outcomes that further their Organizational or Group goals
A Project that aligns with the CRC Grant Applicant and Program Eligibility as well as Grant Criteria.
Prior to applying, applicants must contact a Recreation Service Advisor to preliminarily book the facility and to determine the value of their In-Kind Facility Grant request. Contact 705-444-2500 ext 3382 or email prc@collingwood.ca
The Town will not provide chairs or tables for organizations or events unless they are already in the facility.
The 2024 CRC Grant application period is now open from December 1, 2023 to February 9, 2024.
Step 1: Review Applicant and Project Eligibility Requirements and Grant Criteria.
Step 2: Determine if your project is best suited for a Financial Grant or an In-Kind Facility Grant request.
Step 3: Complete your Project budget. If you are applying for an In-Kind Facility Grant, contact a Recreation Service Advisor to preliminarily book the Facility and determine the value of your request. 705-444-2500 extension 3382 or email prc@collingwood.ca
Step 4: Prepare your application.
Required Application Support Documents
The following document attachments should be prepared prior to starting your application:
1. A complete list of your organization’s Coordinating Committee or Board of Directors, including names, position title (where applicable) and contact email addresses.
2. Two (2) letters/emails from other funders, sponsors or community partners that describes their support for the project for which you are seeking funding. Note: we are not looking for letters from participants, attendees or audience members.
3. Project budget using the provided excel template.
Preferred format for Support Documents are pdf, doc, docx, and xls. If you require assistance in completing your application, please contact grants@collingwood.ca.
Applicant Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must meet all of the following eligibility requirements:
• Collingwood-based, not-for-profit, charitable, or volunteer-based organizations.
• Supports the community by providing opportunities for all persons to participate in arts, culture, recreation, sport and health and well-being activities.
The degree to which applicants meet the requirements below will be weighed to form part of the evaluation:
• Meets Grant Criteria.
• Financially responsible and in good standing with the Town.
• Capable of initiating and managing the proposed project.
• Demonstrates an inclusive and accessible organization that supports diversity and equity, in alignment with the Town of Collingwood Inclusivity Statement: The Town of Collingwood is committed to building an inclusive and accessible environment where all members of the community feel valued, respected, and supported. The CRCG program is committed to using public funds to support initiatives that treat all members of our community with dignity and fairness and in no way limit individual rights and activities.
Individuals, and Town of Collingwood boards and committees are not eligible.
Project Eligibility Requirements
For the purposes of this Grant program, Projects are special events, programs or activities. Projects must meet all the following Eligibility Criteria:
• Open to the public.
• Non-denominational in nature.
The degree to which the project meets the requirements below will be weighted to form part of the evaluation (Grant Allocation and Assessment):
• Meets Grant Criteria.
• Demonstrates inclusive and accessible programs or services that support diversity and equity, , in alignment with the Town of Collingwood Inclusivity Statement: The Town of Collingwood is committed to building an inclusive and accessible environment where all members of the community feel valued, respected, and supported. The CRCG program is committed to using public funds to support initiatives that treat all members of our community with dignity and fairness and in no way limit individual rights and activities..
• Clearly defined and understood.
• Supports the growth of the applicant organization.
• Has support from other funders and partners.
Examples of items within your project that are eligible for a Financial Grant include:
• Supplies and equipment of a non-permanent nature
• Marketing
• Volunteer development and training
• Entertainment
• Rental of venues and equipment
• Food and refreshments (non-alcoholic)
• Professional service fees
Examples of items within your project that are not eligible for a Financial Grant include:
• Capital projects, bricks and mortar
• Salaries for staff
• Day to day operational expenses
The applicant and the project must demonstrate clear and substantial support for one of the following Grant Criteria:
- Youth Involvement: Engages youth in behind-the-scenes opportunities and offers skill building roles to support and empower youth, (i.e. coaches, facilitators, guides, trainers).
- Learn to Programs: Offers hands-on opportunities to participate. Embraces a philosophy of active learning and doing rather than passive spectating, (i.e. workshops, try-it-out activities).
- Local and Live Music: Promotes and features Collingwood’s local music creators, (i.e. singer/songwriters, composers, producers, recording studios).
- Cultural Innovation: Is an imaginative, unique or transformative project, (i.e. uses the arts as a tool to drive social change, celebrate diversity or build a sense of community).
- Collaboration: Fosters relationships and cooperation among different organizations and events, (i.e. links arts with fitness)
- Intergenerational Programs: Encourages all ages to participate and learn together, (i.e. grandparents with grandchildren).
- Active Aging: Fosters health & well-being throughout life and in particular those facing barriers to healthy living, (i.e. movement for injury prevention).
- Examples of Town fees that can be waived under the In-Kind Grant include:
• Park rental fees
• PRC facility fees
Grant Criteria
The Applicant and the Project must demonstrate clear and substantial alignment with at least one of the following Grant Criteria:
• Youth Involvement: Engages youth in behind-the-scenes opportunities and offers skill building roles to support and empower youth, (e.g. coaches, facilitators, guides, trainers).
• Learn to Programs: Offers hands-on opportunities to participate. Embraces a philosophy of active learning and doing rather than passive spectating, (e.g. workshops, try-it-out activities).
• Local and Live Music: Promotes and features Collingwood’s local music creators, (e.g. singer/songwriters, composers, producers, recording studios).
• Cultural Innovation: Is an imaginative, unique or transformative project, (e.g. uses the arts as a tool to drive social change, celebrate diversity or build a sense of community).
• Collaboration: Fosters relationships and cooperation among different organizations and events, (e.g. links arts with fitness).
• Intergenerational Programs: Encourages all ages to participate and learn together, (e.g. grandparents with grandchildren).
• Active Aging: Fosters health & well-being throughout life and in particular those facing barriers to healthy living, (e.g. movement for injury prevention).
In-Kind Facility Grant requests are evaluated by staff. Financial Grant requests are evaluated by a team of staff and community volunteers who are specifically assembled for the CRC Grant evaluation process.
Grants are awarded by cheque (mailed) or by Electronic Fund Transfer. Recipients who have an outstanding Post Grant Report from the 2023 CRC Grant period will not be issued any 2024 CRC Grant funds until said report is received and approved.
Payment is issued to the Applicant Organization or Group and will not be issued to another Organization or an individual.
Grant Assessment
Projects and Applicants that satisfy the following factors are considered a higher priority for funding. Each factor below is scored and then weighted to reflect the CRC Grant priorities.
1. Project has support from other funders and partners and utilizes partnerships to strengthen the project, reach new audiences, add value, and expand capacity.
2. Applicant and Project meet a recognized need in the community and demonstrate clear and substantial support for one of the Grant Criteria.
3. Applicant shows strong financial and organizational stability.
4. Applicant and Project support inclusive public participation. This includes promoting access for all regardless of age, income level, culture, gender, ability and treating all members of the community with dignity and fairness.
5. Applicant is capable of initiating and managing the Project.
6. Project supports the growth and sustainability of the organization.
The goal of the CRC Grant program is to provide grants where they are most needed, therefore you may be asked to provide additional information, including your organization’s financial overview.
Tuesday, January 9, 2024 at 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, January 11, 2024 at 12:00 noon
To register, interested parties can send an email to grants@collingwood.ca. Please include in your email your name, what organization you are representing and which online session you would like to attend. A Zoom link will be provided in a follow-up email with additional information.
A Post Grant Report is required within 60 days following the conclusion of the project for which a CRC Grant was received.
Groups receiving grants are asked to recognize the Town’s contribution.
Special events to take place on municipal property require a Special Event Permit.
Deadline for Submissions: Friday, February 9, 2024 at 4:00 pm.
The CRC Grant Application submission period is now closed for 2024.