Grants and Community Support

Grants and Community Support

Supporting Community Programs, Events & Initiatives

The Municipality of Arran-Elderslie values the vital role that community groups, volunteer organizations, and registered charities play in enhancing the quality of life for our residents. Through our Grants and Community Support program, we aim to provide fair and transparent support for initiatives that benefit our community socially, culturally, and economically.

 Purpose of the Program

This program is designed to:

• Support non-profit organizations, charities, and volunteer groups that offer programs, services, or projects that benefit the residents of Arran-Elderslie.
• Provide a clear and fair process for requesting financial or in-kind support.
• Help staff and Council assess and respond to requests with transparency and consistency.

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Types of Support Available

We offer two main types of support:

1. Grants (Financial Support)

Funding may be available for:

• New or established community programs, events, or festivals
• One-time start-up funding for new initiatives

2. In-Kind Grants

Includes the use of:

• Municipal buildings or spaces (parks, halls, etc.)
• Municipal equipment or services (as available)

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Who Can Apply?

To be eligible, applicants must:

• Be a non-profit organization, registered charity, or volunteer group
• Deliver programs or services that benefit residents of Arran-Elderslie
• Demonstrate a clear need for funding or municipal support
• Submit a complete application by October 1st each year
• Have a designated contact person responsible for administering the grant

Only one application per organization will be accepted each year.

 Who Is Not Eligible?

The following are not eligible for support:

• Individuals or for-profit organizations
• Schools or school boards
• Fundraising events or third-party requests
• Athletic sponsorships (e.g. teams, tournaments, travel)
• Projects already completed
• Organizations outside the Municipality without a direct local benefit
• Religious or sectarian initiatives (unless for a broader community project)
• Groups with outstanding reporting from previous grants

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Application Process

1. Applications open annually, with promotion on our website and social media.
2. All applications must be submitted online before October 1st to be considered for funding in the next year’s budget.
3. Applications are evaluated on:
• The benefit to the community
• The financial impact on the Municipality
• Availability of municipal resources

  4.  Council sets an annual budget for grants, and once the funds are allocated, no additional requests will be considered until the next cycle.

 Grant Requirements & Reporting

• Successful applicants must acknowledge the Municipality's support in all promotional materials. A logo will be provided.
• A Grant Report must be submitted within 3 months of the event/project completion or by December 31st of the same year.
• Any unspent funds must be returned to the Municipality.
• Grants are non-transferable and must be used for the approved project only.

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How to Apply

Applications are accepted online only through our website. The form will be available each year before the deadline. It is strongly recommended that you reach out to the Economic Development and Communications Coordinator before beginning an application. Be sure to gather all necessary information before submitting, the application can not be saved and returned to later. 

🗓 Deadline: October 1st annually

Questions?

If you have questions about the application process or your eligibility, please contact Jen Legge, Economic Development and Communications Coordinator  jlegge@arran-elderslie.ca  519-363-3039 x116

Let’s build a stronger community—together.

Read the Grants and Community Support By-law here

Community Support and Grants Project Completion Form

If you have received support through our Community Support and Grants Program you are required to submit a Completion form within two weeks following your event/program or before October 31st. Organizations that have not submitted their completion form may not be eligible to apply for the upcoming year.