HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-2024-108 - 2024 Community Grants Tier 2Community Services Department www.kitchener.ca
REPORT TO: Community and Infrastructure Services Committee
DATE OF MEETING: March 25, 2024
SUBMITTED BY: Elin Moorlag Silk, Manager, Service Coordination & Improvement, 519-
741-2200 ext. 7273
PREPARED BY: Carrie Kozlowski, Executive Assistant & Grant Administrator, 519-741-
2200 ext. 7395
WARD(S) INVOLVED: All Wards
DATE OF REPORT: March 1, 2024
REPORT NO.: CSD-2024-108
SUBJECT: 2024 Community Grants Tier 2
RECOMMENDATION:
That 2024 community grants (Tier 2) in the amount of $209,415 be approved as outlined
in Attachment A to Community Services Department report CSD-2024-108.
REPORT HIGHLIGHTS:
This report:
outlines the process used to assess community grant applications.
lists the organizations/groups that applied for 2024 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
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).
*** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. ***
Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance.
In November 2018 (CSD-18-088), Council delegated the consideration of appeals to a panel of
staff.
REPORT:
For 2024, 75 Tier 2 grant applications were received ($685,889 in requested funding). The total
amount of Tier 2 funding available is $206,415. The PSRC/appeal panel recommends funding
52 groups ($209,415).
Highlights of the 2024 Tier 2 grant process include:
Information sharing: With Corporate Communications and Marketing, a campaign was
developed to promote the 2024 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 30,
31, and February 1, 2024) to develop funding recommendations.
Opportunity for appeals: Applicant organizations had the opportunity to appeal their
recommended funding allocations. The appeal deadline was February 21, 2024.
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 20+ hours independently reviewing
the applications. Then the committee met three times for a total of nine hours to make funding
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
Tier 2 grant applicants are notified of th
of the option to appeal the recommendation via an online form. Four organizations appealed
(Digimillennials, For Hungarians in Canada Association, Live with Sway and Nigerians in the
Region of Waterloo (NIROW)). The total value of the appeal requests was $27,793. Upon review
of the four appellant groups, and allocated NIROW an additional $3,000 (in kind).
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. There are no groups eligible for transfer to the Tier 1 grant process
for the 2025 grant cycle.
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 2024 Tier 2 community grants is $206,415. The PSRC
recommended grant allocations made full use of the available funds. Subsequently, the appeal
panel allocated an additional $3,000 (a total recommended community grant allocation of
$209,415), resulting in a small negative variance.
Fortunately, a small positive variance arising from underusage of in kind grants allocated in 2023
is available to fund the negative variance.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
INFORM The 2024
social media and in Kitchener Life. Previous Tier 2 grant recipients were informed of the 2024
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 allocations via an online form.
This report has been
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-2024-108
Attachment A: CSD-2024-108
2024 Community Grants Tier 2
2024 grant 2024 type of grant 2024 2024 type of grant
Organization Name
requestrequestrecommendedrecommended
Arts4All (Afterschool Art Program)$7,000$7,000
Arts Integration$8,955($5,000 cash, $5,000
$3,955 in kind)
Brain Injury Association Waterloo-$2,500$2,500
Wellington
Bring on the Sunshine (Tier 1 group)$37,550$0
Bulgarian Folk Dance School (Hopa-$3,000($300 cash, $2,700 $3,000($300 cash, $2,700
Tropa, Eha-Ha)in kind)in kind)
Café Philo$3,025$2,000
Canadian Arabic Orchestra$8,000$5,000
Canadian Arab Women Association$25,124($20,000 cash, $5,124(in kind)
$5,124 in kind)
Canadian Helpers Society$10,000$0
Caribbean Dreams Concert$12,000($10,000 cash, $4,500($3,500 cash,
$2,000 in kind)$1,000 in kind)
Central Ontario Developmental Riding $4,600$0
Program/Pride Stables (Tier 1 group)
Cherry Park Neighbourhood $2,950($2,200 cash, $750 $2,950($2,200 cash, $750
Association (Cherry Festival)in kind)in kind)
Child Witness Centre of Waterloo $5,228$0
Region
Community Kitchen Co-operative $17,330$7,720
Kitchener Waterloo Inc.
Creek Collective$8,174($7,974 cash, $200 $3,200($3,000 cash, $200
in kind)in kind)
Crossroads Productions$1,500$1,200
Crow Shield Lodge $8,000$4,000
Digimillennials$12,293($10,239 cash, $0
$2,054 in kind)
Dog Friendly KW$9,000($3,000 cash, $4,000($2,000 cash,
$6,000 in kind)$2,000 in kind)
Epilepsy South Central Ontario$15,000$0
Focus on Nature$4,320$0
For Hungarians in Canada $4,500($4,000 cash, $500 $0
Associationin kind)
Grand Philharmonic Choir (Tier 1 $7,300$0
group)
Grand River Artist Collective (GRACe)$7,500$5,000
Grand River Film Festival$5,000$5,000
Grand River Flamenco Fest$5,600($5,000 cash, $600 $5,000
in kind)
Grand River New Horizons Music Org.$4,000$3,000
Hohner Avenue Porch Party$4,500$4,500
Home Range Story Kitchen$7,580($4,800 cash, $2,700($2,200 cash, $500
$2,780 in kind)in kind)
"How to get to the library" $10,971($7,875 cash, $3,096(in kind)
$3,096 in kind)
Kaleidoscope Collective$7,000($5,000 cash, $5,000($3,000 cash,
$2,000 in kind)$2,000 in kind)
Keep Your Head Up Foundation$3,000$2,500
Kind Minds Family Wellness$8,200$7,500
Kitchener Easy Riders Cycle Club$7,225($5,875 cash, $7,225($5,875 cash,
$1,350 in kind)$1,350 in kind)
Kitchener Senior Panthers Baseball $9,995$5,000(in kind)
Inc.
KW Art Gallery$5,550$5,034
Page 1 of 2
Attachment A: CSD-2024-108
2024 Community Grants Tier 2
2024 grant 2024 type of grant 2024 2024 type of grant
Organization Name
requestrequestrecommendedrecommended
KW Cambodian Association$6,368($2,500 cash, $3,686(in kind)
$3,868 in kind)
KW Comicon Group$5,275(in kind)$3,500(in kind)
KW Cycling Academy$6,000(in kind)$6,000(in kind)
K-W Musical Productions$13,000$8,000
Kitchener-Waterloo Taiwanese $1,200($200 cash, $1,000 $1,200($200 cash, $1,000
Canadian Associationin kind)in kind)
Last Minute Gallery$6,780($6,000 cash, $780 $3,780($3,000 cash, $780
in kind)in kind)
Levant$10,000$0
Level Up$7,346($2,000 cash, $4,500($2,000 cash,
$5,346 in kind)$2,500 in kind)
Live with Sway$4,000$0
Midtown Radio$12,100$4,500
Music Without Borders$3,209$0
Muslim Social Services Waterloo $4,500$4,500
Region (Empower Sport program)
Nigerians in the Region of Waterloo $10,000($7,000 cash, $6,000($3,000 cash,
(NIROW)$3,000 in kind)$3,000 in kind)
NoteWorthy Singers$2,500$2,500
Optimist Club of Southwest Kitchener$1,250(in kind)$1,250(in kind)
Pakistan Canada Association $5,000($3,000 cash, $2,000(in kind)
Waterloo-Wellington Counties$2,000 in kind)
Pinch Cabaret$10,000$5,000
Radio Waterloo, Inc.$6,500$3,300
Red Maple Seniors Club$2,700$2,000
Red Raccoon Bike Rescue$4,000$4,000
Rohingya Centre of Canada $10,000$0
(Canadian Rohingya Development
Initiative)
Schneider Creek Porch Party$6,570$5,610 cash, $960 $4,500
in kind)
Shelter Movers Southwestern Ontario$35,000$0
Somali Canadian Association of $4,200($3,000 cash, $4,200($3,000 cash,
Waterloo Region$1,200 in kind)$1,200 in kind)
Sporas Scattered (Choir)$5,000($3,000 cash, $3,000($1,000 cash,
$2,000 in kind)$2,000 in kind)
Sporas Scattered (Event)$10,000($8,500 cash, $3,150($2,000 cash,
$1,500 in kind)$1,150 in kind)
Studio 27$8,000$0
Tamil Cultural Association of Waterloo $5,000($3,000 cash, $0
Region (Tier 1 group)$2,000 in kind)
Tamil Sports Association of Waterloo $1,791(in kind)$0
Region
Tiny Home Takeout$50,000$0
Ukrainian Canadian Congress: $5,000$0
Region of Waterloo - Wellington
Unboring KW$5,000$0
Unwrap Theatre$10,000$3,000
Waterloo City FuteBol Clube$7,200($2,200 cash, $0
$5,000 in kind)
Waterloo Coin Society$2,300(in kind)$2,300(in kind)
Waterloo Organization of Disc Sports$7,200($1,500 cash, $2,300(in kind)
$5,700 in kind)
Waterloo Region ACORN$5,000$0
WeCare Centre$79,930$0
Women of Dignity International$3,500$3,500
Totals$685,889$209,415
Page 2 of 2