The City of Kingston and the United Way of Kingston, Frontenac Lennox and Addington (KFLA) are seeking applications for its Community Investment Fund to provide grants to programs, projects, or small capital expenditures for non-profit organizations in the community.

It encourages an innovative, entrepreneurial and collaborative response to local social needs, and applies to initiatives that are more long term in nature. These can include, but are not limited to, pilot projects or new programs which are becoming permanent and require seed funding.

Objectives

• Provide organizations and groups with the financial resources to support projects to strengthen community.
• Encourage formal and informal partnerships among community sectors.
• Encourage efficient/effective methods of delivering projects/programs.
• Foster innovation and creativity in addressing the needs of the community.
• Support the priorities of United Way’s Community Impact Focus Areas and goal.
• Support the priorities of the City of Kingston and the creation of a smart, livable, and leading city as described in the City of Kingston Strategic Plan 2019-2022.

Funding Information

• There is an annual call for applications with a maximum grant amount of $25,000.

Eligibility Criteria

• All applicant organizations must:
  • Be a registered not-for-profit and/or charity providing the charitable number (if available) on the application
  • Be volunteer led and have volunteer involvement in program
  • Be operating in a non-discriminatory manner as set out in Ontario Human Rights Code
  • Provide the most recent copy of organization’s financial statements
  • Sign a United Way and/or City of Kingston agreement, upon approval of application
  • Recognize the support of the United Way and the City of Kingston, wherever possible
  • Complete United Way and/or City of Kingston reporting procedures, including a program completion report with statistical data and measurable outcomes for the program
  • Be in good financial standing with the United Way and/or the Municipality
  • Be in good standing with the United Way or the Municipality with regard to past Community Investment Fund grant projects (successful completion of projects and have submitted final reports)
  • Provide proof of having general liability insurance in the amount of not less than two million dollars ($2,000,000)
  • Have only one application per project. No more than two applications per organization
  • Have waited two years before applying to this fund if the organization has received a Community Investment Fund grant for two consecutive years prior
  • Not have been declined for the same project/program twice in previous years
  • Be encouraged to discuss their needs with United Way or City of Kingston staff to ensure that one application prioritizes the most critical needs
  • Demonstrate that they are seeking alternate sources of funding on an on-going basis to achieve self sufficiency
• Ineligible Applicants:
  • For-profit organizations or ventures
  • Non-profit organization sponsoring for-profit organization
  • Organizations such as service clubs and foundations, that acts as a funding source for other groups
  • Organizations of political affiliation or supporting political activities
  • Organizations where the service component is conditional upon participation in the religious activities of the organization
  • Educational institutions
  • Organizations that do not provide equal access to services to individuals of diverse cultures or with disabilities, where appropriate and feasible

For more information, visit United Way.