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Home My WebLink AboutCSD-2026-118 - 2026 Community Grants - Tier 2 Community Services Department www.kitchener.ca REPORT TO: Finance and Corporate Services Committee DATE OF MEETING: March 30, 2026 SUBMITTED BY: Helena Foulds, Manager, Service Coordination & Improvement, 519- 904-5802 PREPARED BY: Carrie Kozlowski, Executive Assistant & Grant Administrator, 519- 783-8144 WARD(S) INVOLVED: All Wards DATE OF REPORT: March 20, 2026 REPORT NO.: CSD-2026-118 SUBJECT: 2026 Community Grants - Tier 2 RECOMMENDATION: That 2026 community grants (Tier 2) in the amount of $264,012 be approved as outlined in Attachment A to Community Services Department report CSD-2026-118. REPORT HIGHLIGHTS: This report: outlines the process used to assess community grant applications. lists the organizations/groups that applied for 2026 Tier 2 funding, including the amount of each request and the recommended grant allocations (see Attachment A). 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 staff (from arts/creative industries, special events, sport development, community development and grant administration) review applications based on 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. Page 9 of 331 In November 2018 (CSD-18-088), Council delegated the consideration of appeals to a panel of staff, which is comprised of the Director of Sport, Director of Economic Development, and Director of Neighbourhood Programs & Services. REPORT: The City received 88 Tier 2 grant applications, requesting a total of $898,947 in funding. The available Tier 2 funding for 2026 is $255,107. The PSRC/Appeal Panel recommends awarding funding to 51 of the 88 applicants, for a total of $264,012. Highlights of the 2026 Tier 2 grant process include: Information sharing: A marketing campaign was developed to promote the 2026 community grant funding opportunity and its benefits to eligible groups. Thorough review of applications: PSRC members completed an independent review/assessment of the applications against the grant criteria using an online decision-making platform. The committee participated in three group sessions (February 3, 5 and 11, 2026) to develop funding recommendations. Opportunity for appeals: Applicant organizations had the opportunity to appeal their recommended funding allocations. The appeal deadline was Wednesday, February 25, 2026. Communication: applicants were notified of the recommended allocations. Assessment process PSRC members, both community volunteers and staff, dedicate considerable time and effort to reviewing/assessing the applications. Then, the committee came together to make combination with the detailed review process whereby applications are considered against the Council-approved eligibility criteria ensures that funding recommendations are made responsibly within budget availability. Appeal process advised of the option to appeal the recommendation via an online form. In total, 7 value of the appeal requests was $58,470. Upon review of the appeal submissions, the 3 of the 7 appellant groups, and allocated 4 an additional $15,220 ($14,700 cash, $520 in kind). Transfers to Tier 1 Given that the community grant program will be reviewed and revamped in 2026-2027, Staff do not recommend transferring any organizations to the Tier 1 grant program in 2026. Page 10 of 331 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 2026 Tier 2 community grants is $255,107. The PSRC recommends a total community grant allocation of $264,012, resulting in a negative variance of $8,905. The additional $8,905 needed to meet this recommendation is covered by surplus funds available from the 2025 Tier 1 and Tier 2 ActiveNet grant allocations. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: INFORM The 2026 Tier 2 community grant program was advertised on the C and on social media. Previous Tier 2 grant recipients were informed of the 2026 application process. given the opportunity to appeal their allocations via an online form. 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-2026-118 Page 11 of 331 Attachment A: CSD-2026-118 2026 Community Grants Tier 2 Organization Name2026 grant 2026 type of grant 2026 2026 type of grant requestrequestrecommendedrecommended Abab Education$30,000$0 African Canadian Association of $10,000$0 Waterloo Region and Area African Family Revival $15,000($10,000 cash, $0 Organization$5,000 in knd) ARTA - the Romanian Associaton$6,500($3,500 cash, $5,000($2,000 cash, $3,000 in kind)$3,000 in kind) Arts4All$7,000$7,000 Arts Integration Waterloo Region$5,000$5,000 Brain Injury Association Waterloo $2,500$2,500 Wellington Bulgarian Folk Dance School $4,500($1,000 cash, $3,500(in kind) "Hopa-Tropa, Eha-Ha"$3,500 in kind) $1,500$1,500 Forum Kitchener and Area Canadian Arab Women's $15,024($2,000 cash, $10,000(in kind) Association$13,024 in kind) The Canadian Clay & Glass $10,000$10,000 Gallery The Canadian Helpers Society$10,000$0 Caribana Arts Group$150,000($50,000 cash, $9,000(in kind) $100,000 in kind) Caribbean Dreams Concert$15,000($10,000 cash, $0 $5,000 in kind) Cherry Park Neighbourhood $1,890(in kind)$1,890(in kind) Association CHM Tech Global$3,000$0 Community Kitchen Cooperative $23,000$7,720 KW Community Rising Alliance$5,500($4,500 cash, $0 $1,000 in kind) Cosmic Fishing Theatre$5,000$5,000 The Creek Collective$4,600$4,600 Destination55$17,115($15,000 cash, $10,000 $2,115 in kind) Fierce N Fit Special Needs $5,340$0 Charitable Organization (Fierce N Fit Summer Camp) Forest Hill T-ball Association$6,000($1,000 cash, $6,000($1,000 cash, $5,000 in kind)$5,000 in kind) For Hungarian in Canada $3,300($3,000 cash, $300 $0 Associationin kind) ForUsGirls Foundation Inc.$5,000$5,000 Freedom Marching Project$20,638($10,500 cash, $10,000 $10,138 in kind) Gigi's House$25,000$0 Golden Triangle Marathi Mandal$4,000$2,000 Grand River Friendship Society$6,263($2,000 cash, $0 $4,263 in kind) Page 12 of 331 Attachment A: CSD-2026-118 2026 Community Grants Tier 2 Organization Name2026 grant 2026 type of grant 2026 2026 type of grant requestrequestrecommendedrecommended Grand River New Horizons Music$5,000$5,000 Grand River Opera$10,000$6,000 Grassroots Response to the $25,000$0 Ukrainian Crisis GLA Theatre Company$10,250($8,000 cash, $0 $2,250 in kind) HarryCares Foundation$13,000($10,000 cash, $0 $3,000 in kind) Heart of the Homeless$500$0 Hmong Ancestral Beliefs of $5,000$0 Canada Hohner Avenue Porch Party$4,500$4,500 Home Range Story Kitchen$4,400$2,700 The Humane Society of Kitchener $5,000$0 Waterloo & Stratford Perth KaPa Seniors Tye & Dye Group$5,368($4,368 cash, $3,500($2,500 cash, $1,000 in kind)$1,000 in kind) Keep Your Head Up Foundation$4,000$2,500 Kind Minds Family Wellness$10,000($9,636 cash, $364 $7,500 in kind) Kitchener African Community $4,000($3,000 cash, $2,000 Group$1,000 in kind) Kitchener and Waterloo $7,987($2,000 cash, $7,987($2,000 cash, Cambodian Association$5,987 in kind)$5,987 in kind) Kitchener Easy Riders Cycle Club$7,225($5,875 cash, $7,225($5,875 cash, $1,350 in kind)$1,350 in kind) Kitchener Musical Society Band$2,750($2,000 cash, $750 $2,750($2,000 cash, $750 in kind)in kind) Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery$6,840$6,840 Kitchener Waterloo Youth $5,000$5,000 Orchestra Inc. KW Cycling Academy$7,980(in kind)$7,980(in kind) KWFamous$6,000$0 KW Sentro$42,645$0 Konnecting-Wit-Humanity$25,000$0 Kulmis Cultural Centre$13,800($5,000 cash, $0 $8,800 in kind) Last Minute Gallery c/o Precious $10,000$7,500 Julius Levant$15,000$0 Level Up$2,720($2,200 cash, $520 $2,720($2,200 cash, $520 in kind)in kind) Live with SWAY$14,000($13,500 cash, $0 $500 in kind) Melodies of Hope Foundation$3,000$0 Midtown Radio$5,000$5,000 Nigerians in the Region of $7,000($3,500 cash, $3,500 Waterloo (NIROW)$3,500 in kind) NoteWorthy Singers$2,500$2,500 One Million Neighbours WR$10,000$0 Page 13 of 331 Attachment A: CSD-2026-118 2026 Community Grants Tier 2 Organization Name2026 grant 2026 type of grant 2026 2026 type of grant requestrequestrecommendedrecommended Optimist Club of Southwest $1,250(in kind)$1,250(in kind) Kitchener Persian Unity and Heritage $6,847($5,000 cash, $2,850($1,000 cash, Association$1,847 in kind)$1,850 in kind) Pinch Arts Company Inc. c/o Ben $10,000$8,000 Gorodetsky Play Forever$10,000$0 Progressive Animal Welfare $7,000$0 Services (PAWS) Quill Fine Arts$5,000$5,000 Radio Waterloo Inc.$6,500$4,500 Red Maple Seniors Club (RMSC)$2,300$0 Red Raccoon Bike Rescue$4,000$4,000 Rhema Collective$6,000$0 The Ripple Effect Education$5,000$0 Safety Awareness with action $4,800$0 Association "SAWA" Schneider Creek Porch Party$6,930$4,500 Sexual Assault Support Centre of $22,161$0 Waterloo Region Sporas$5,900($3,900 cash, $2,000(in kind) $2,000 in kind) Studio 27$5,300$0 Tara Arts/IRL Festival$9,800($8,000 cash, $0 $1,800 in kind) Three Sisters Cultural Centre$5,000$5,000 Tri City Synthesizer Society$6,000$3,500 Unwrap Theatre$7,500$7,500 Waterloo Coin Society$3,300(in kind)$3,300(in kind) Waterloo Organization of Disc $7,200($1,500 cash, $7,200($1,500 cash, Sports$5,700 in kind)$5,700 in kind) The Wellington Wind Symphony $3,000$0 (Wellington Winds Inc.) Williamsburg Community $10,000$7,000 Association Willow River Centre$16,024($15,000 cash, $0 $1,024 in kind) The Zak Project$4,000$0 Totals$898,947$264,012 Page 14 of 331