Durham Community Foundation - Community Fund(s) Grantstream

The Durham Community Foundation offers Community Fund(s) grants aimed at fostering a vibrant community through collaborative efforts and innovative partnerships. Grants support projects that enhance arts, culture, education, health, and social development while prioritizing organizations committed to Durham Region's citizens. Eligible applicants must have charitable status, be operational for at least a year, and demonstrate fiscal responsibility. The Foundation encourages projects that benefit the community directly, excluding political campaigns and funding for individuals.

Durham Community Foundation recognizes that a vibrant and healthy community can only be built through collaborative efforts, innovative partnerships and a firm commitment to create opportunities for all citizens to enhance the quality of their lives and/or those of their family, friends and neighbours.
It is the most visible aspect of Durham Community Foundation’s work.
Philosophy
Durham Community Foundation (“the Foundation”) has as its goals:

• Arts and Culture
• Fostering and supporting the growth and further development of arts and cultural activities.
• Capacity Building

Establishing strong base for community service, developing or enhancing organizational strategy, or building capacity in our non-profit sector, charitable sector and community.
Education
Enhancing the quality and accessibility of lifelong learning and educational opportunities for all ages.
Environment
Supporting and encouraging appreciation and understanding of the environment, and resolving or preventing environmental issues.
Health
Promoting and advancing the physical and mental well-being of individuals and families.
Social Development
Creating caring, safe and supportive environments for healthy social development of families and a variety of community-based groups.
Youth Development
To support the healthy growth and development of young people.

Eligibility

To be eligible, the applicant must:Have a strong commitment to Durham Region in Ontario, Canada. Provide services which must benefit the citizens of Durham Region.Service must be delivered within the Region of Durham.Demonstrate fiscal responsibility and effective management.Have been operational for at least one year.Provide written confirmation of charitable status.Provide programs/services without discrimination because of race, colour, creed, gender, age, marital status or disabilityGrants are to support projects and programs of organizations that qualify as charitable organizations under Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) guidelines, whose projects or programs directly benefit the citizens of DCF’s geographic area.Grants can be made to educational institutions and other sponsoring recipient organizations for the benefit of certain individuals for such purposes as scholarships and special programs.
Multiple grants to the same organization are acceptable, but not to be encouraged. Organizations who have received grants previously may re-apply provided all final reports have been received.
Recurring grants for the same program are acceptable, but not to be encouraged.

Ineligibility

We don't fund: 100% of project costs.
Campaigns of political or religious organizations that primarily serve their membership
and/or their direct religious purposes. Endowment and annual fundraising drives, budget deficits, or debt reduction.
Individuals or businesses.
National fundraising efforts.
Retroactive funding, or for any project expenses incurred prior to the Community Foundation's decision date.Sponsorships of fundraising/for-profit or recurring events.No grants will be made solely to individuals No grants will be made specifically for sectarian religious purposes but can be made to religious organizations for general community programs