HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-2023-087 - 2023 Community Grants Tier 2Community Services Department www.kitchener.ca
REPORT TO: Community and Infrastructure Services Committee
DATE OF MEETING: April 3, 2023
SUBMITTED BY: Michael May, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, 519-741-2200 ext.
7079
PREPARED BY: Carrie Kozlowski, Executive Assistant, 519-741-2200 ext. 7395
Elin Moorlag Silk, Interim Manager, Service Coordination &
Improvement, 519-741-2200 ext. 7193
WARD(S) INVOLVED: All Wards
DATE OF REPORT: February 22, 2023
REPORT NO.: CSD-2023-087
SUBJECT: 2023 Community Grants Tier 2
RECOMMENDATION:
That 2023 community grants (Tier 2) in the amount of $198,137 be approved as outlined
in Attachment A to Community Services Department report CSD-2023-087; and further,
That the following organizations be approved to move to the Tier 1 grant process for the
2024 grant cycle:
1. Arts4All (Young@rt event)
2. Belmont Village Bestival
3. Big Brothers Big Sisters Waterloo Region (Big Bunch Program and Holiday Party)
4. Caribbean Dreams Concert
5. JM Drama Alumni/Registry Theatre
REPORT HIGHLIGHTS:
This report:
outlines the process used to assess community grant applications.
recommends the transfer of several organizations from Tier 2 to the Tier 1 grant process.
lists the organizations/groups that applied for 2023 Tier 2 funding, including the amount of
each request and the recommended grant allocations (see Attachment A).
supports the delivery of core services.
BACKGROUND:
Tier 2 community grants assist organizations/groups providing not for profit services intended
for the common good of residents within the City of Kitchener. These grants typically fund new
or emerging community organizations, events, and/or initiatives. Organizations providing
municipal services in the following sectors are eligible for funding:
arts and culture
special events
*** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. ***
Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance.
sports and recreation
community support and development
A Peer and Staff Review Committee (PSRC) composed of three community volunteers and five
to six staff (from arts/creative industries, special events, sport development, community
development and grant administration) reviews applications against the eligibility criteria set out
in the Council-approved Community Investment policy (FIN-GRA-525). This committee allocates
resources within budget availability and makes funding recommendations to Council (outlined in
this report).
In November 2018 (CSD-18-088), Council delegated the consideration of appeals to a panel of
staff.
REPORT:
For 2023, 54 Tier 2 grant applications were received ($544,341 in requested funding). The total
amount of Tier 2 funding available is $208,550. The PSRC recommends funding 45 groups
($198,137).
Highlights of the 2023 Tier 2 grant process include:
Information sharing: Corporate Communications and Marketing developed a campaign
to promote the Tier 2 community grant funding opportunity and its benefits to eligible
groups. An online video presentation was available fo introduce
applicants to the grant process and to provide tips about how to submit a strong
application.
Thorough review of applications: PSRC members completed an independent
review/assessment of the applications against the grant criteria using an online decision-
making platform. Then the committee participated in three group sessions (January 31,
February 1 and 2, 2023) to develop funding recommendations.
Opportunity for appeals: Applicant organizations had the opportunity to appeal their
recommended funding allocations. The appeal deadline was February 21, 2023.
Communication: applicants were notified of the outcome of the deliberations.
Assessment process
PSRC members, both community volunteers and staff, dedicate considerable time and effort to
reviewing/assessing the applications. Each member spent approximately 20 hours
independently reviewing the applications. Then the committee met three times for a total of
seven
and expertise, in combination with the detailed review process whereby applications are
considered against the Council-approved eligibility criteria ensures that funding
recommendations are made responsibly, in the context of all the applications received and within
budget availability.
Appeal process
of the option to appeal the recommendation via an online appeal form. No organizations/groups
appealed their allocations in 2023.
Transfers to Tier 1
FIN-GRA-525 outlines that organizations receiving Tier 2 funding for five or more years may be
considered for Tier 1 funding. To be eligible for Tier 1, organizations must:
be incorporated as a not-for-profit entity or agree to become incorporated within a set
timeframe (12 months, for example),
enter into a legal agreement with the City, from one to five years in length. The agreement
outlines the responsibilities of the City and the responsibilities of the organization,
including details of services/events for which the grant is provided, financial reporting
requirements, and insurance/indemnity requirements.
The chart below summarizes the organizations recommended to transfer to the Tier 1 grant
process for the 2024 grant cycle. If approved, these groups will move with a base grant amount
equal to their 2023 Tier 2 grant. As a result of this transfer, there will be a corresponding
reduction of $33,984 in available funding for Tier 2 grants in 2024.
previous Tier 2
Organization 2023 grant recommendation
funding
Arts4All Inc. (Young@rt event) $3,000 2018-2022
Belmont Village Bestival $10,000 2018-2022
($7,000 cash, $3,000 in kind)
Big Brothers Big Sisters Waterloo $5,984 2016-2020, 2022
Region (Big Bunch Program and ($5,000 cash, $984 in kind)
due to pandemic)
Holiday Party)
Caribbean Dreams $5,000 2016, 2018-2022
($3,500 cash, $1,500 in kind)
JM Drama Alumni/Registry Theatre $10,000 2018-2022
total $33,984
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
This report supports the delivery of core services.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
Capital Budget The recommendation has no impact on the Capital Budget.
Operating Budget The budget for 2023 Tier 2 community grants is $208,550. The PSRC
recommends a total 2023 Tier 2 allocation of $198,137. $10,413 of the 2023 Tier 2 grant budget
remains unallocated, available to be posted as a positive variance at the end of the year and
then transferred into the tax stabilization reserve.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
INFORM The 2023
social media and in Kitchener Life. A promotional strategy featuring testimonials from previous
grant recipients was used to reach new demographic groups and to demonstrate, through
storytelling, the benefits that participation in the community grant program can afford to new and
emerging groups. Previous Tier 2 grant recipients were informed of the 2023 application
process. The virtual presentation about Tier 2 grants allowed applicants to learn about the
program at their convenience and from their own locations.
given the opportunity to appeal their allocationsvia an online form.
This report ha
committee meeting.
CONSULT The PSRC provided invaluable expertise throughout the assessment process.
Their commitment and dedication are very much appreciated. Both applicants and PSRC
members are provided an opportunity to comment on the grant process, and comments are
considered for implementation in the next grant cycle.
ENTRUST Through the provision of grants, community groups/organizations are entrusted to
deliver valued programs, initiatives and services to the community.
PREVIOUS REPORTS/AUTHORITIES:
CSD-18-088 Community Grants Appeal Process Update
FIN-GRA-525 Community Investment Policy
APPROVED BY: Michael May, Deputy CAO, Community Services Department
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A CSD-2023-087
Attachment A: CSD-2023-087
2023 Community Grants Tier 2
Type of grant Type of grant
Organization NameGrant requestRecommended
requestrecommended
519 Community Collective$7,000$0
10 Minutes Later Film Group$50,000$0
Afghan Association$7,000($2,000 cash, $2,500(in kind)
$5,000 in kind)
Arts4All (Afterschool Art Program)$7,000$7,000
Arts4All (Young@rt) $3,000$3,000
Belmont Village Bestival$25,000($20,000 cash, $10,000($7,000 cash,
$5,000 in kind)$3,000 in kind)
Big Brothers Big Sisters of $5,984($5,000 cash, $5,984($5,000 cash,
Waterloo Region$984 in kind)$984 in kind)
Brain Injury Association Waterloo-$2,500$2,500
Wellington
Bulgarian Folk Dance School $2,700($200 cash, $2,700($200 cash,
(Hopa-Tropa, Eha-Ha)$2,500 in kind)$2,500 in kind)
Canadian Arabic Orchestra$8,000$5,000
Canadian Arab Women's $13,518($10,000 cash, $8,500($5,000 cash,
Association$3,518 in kind)$3,500 in kind)
Caribbean Dreams Concert$12,000($10,000 cash, $5,000($3,500 cash,
$2,000 in kind)$1,500 in kind)
Cherry Park Neighbourhood $2,875($2,100 cash, $2,875($2,100 cash,
Association (Cherry Festival)$775 in kind)$775 in kind)
Child Witness Centre of Waterloo $15,000$0
Region
Community Kitchen Co-operative $17,330$7,720
Kitchener Waterloo Inc.
Crossroads Productions$1,200$1,200
Crow Shield Lodge $5,000$5,000
Dog Friendly KW$9,500($5,000 cash, $6,000(in kind)
$4,500 in kind)
For Hungarians in Canada $4,500($4,000 cash, $2,500
Association$500 in kind)
Food4Kids Waterloo Region$100,000$0
Gizaagi'in Healing Space$0
Grand River Flamenco Fest$5,500($4,935 cash, $5,500($4,935 cash,
$565 in kind)$565 in kind)
Grand River Friendship Society $4,960$1,000(in kind)
(Event)
Grand River Friendship Society $19,284$4,000(in kind)
(Sport Program)
Grand River New Horizons Music $5,200$3,000
Org.
Home Range Story Kitchen$8,968($5,800 cash, $4,400($2,200 cash,
$3,168 in kind)$2,200 in kind)
Hope For Community Development$10,848$0
HopeSpring Cancer Support Centre$15,000($5,000 cash, $5,000(in kind)
$10,000 in kind)
"How to get to the library" literal $15,600($14,600 cash, $2,000($1,000 cash,
translation$1,000 in kind)$1,000 in kind)
Inter Arts Matrix$7,500($5,000 cash, $0
$2,500 in kind)
JM Drama Alumni$10,000$10,000
Keep Your Head Up Foundation$5,000$2,500
Kind Minds Family Wellness$7,500$7,500
Kitchener Easy Riders Cycle Club$7,700($5,875 cash, $7,225(5,875 cash,
$1,825 in kind)$1,350 in kind)
KW Art Gallery$4,783$4,783
KW Cycling Academy$6,000(in kind)$3,000(in kind)
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Attachment A: CSD-2023-087
2023 Community Grants Tier 2
Type of grant Type of grant
Organization NameGrant requestRecommended
requestrecommended
K-W Musical Productions$13,000$10,000
LAUNCH Waterloo$10,000$0
Level Up$24,019($18,673 cash, $7,350($2,000 cash,
$5,346 in kind)$5,350 in kind)
Mel Brown Music Festival and $4,000$4,000
Symposium
Midtown Radio$6,000$4,500
NoteWorthy Singers$2,500$2,500
Optimist Club of Southwest $1,250(in kind)$1,250(in kind)
Kitchener
Pinch Cabaret$7,500$5,000
Radio Waterloo, Inc.$6,500$3,300
Red Maple Senior Club$2,500$2,000
Red Raccoon Bike Rescue$4,000$4,000
Schneider Creek Porch Party$5,770($4,810 cash, $5,000($4,040 cash,
$960 in kind)$960 in kind)
Sporas$5,153($4,000 cash, $3,150($2,000 cash,
$1,153 in kind)$1,150 in kind)
Studio D20 Women's Media Arts$6,000$2,500
The Brazilian Show$1,000$1,000($500 cash,
$500 in kind)
Unwrap Theatre$5,000$3,000
Waterloo Coin Society$2,199(in kind)$2,200(in kind)
Waterloo Regional Block Parent $5,000$0
Program (WRBPP)
Totals
$544,341$198,137
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