City of Woodstock (City) Community Grants Program

Overview of the City of Woodstock (City) Community Grants Program program:

The Community Grants Program established by the City of Woodstock under Policy GA003 is a municipal funding initiative created to ensure fair, consistent, and transparent allocation of community funds to local non-profit, charitable, and volunteer organizations. Its purpose is to financially support programs, services, and special projects that enhance community well-being, with a focus on charitable, recreational, cultural, artistic, and environmental initiatives. The policy ensures that applications are reviewed with due diligence and evaluated based on standardized criteria so that funding is allocated to programs demonstrating genuine community impact and fiscal responsibility. Funding availability each year is tied to 15% of the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) hosting fee received by the City in the previous year, ensuring that the program remains financially grounded in municipal revenue sources. The program emphasizes sustainability and diversified revenue streams, requiring applicants to demonstrate that they are not relying solely on municipal funding. Applications undergo a multi-stage review process involving Clerks Services staff for eligibility screening, followed by assessment by the Community Grants Advisory Committee, which then provides recommendations to City Council. Council holds the authority to make final decisions and may request reconsideration of recommendations. The program includes two annual intake periods, a defined list of required documents, and conditions for funding usage and post-award reporting. Special Grants may also be awarded on a one-time basis to initiatives that fall outside standard eligibility but provide exceptional community benefit. The overarching goal is to support organizations that deliver measurable benefits to residents and promote an active, engaged, and healthy municipal community.

Benefits of the City of Woodstock (City) Community Grants Program program:

• Operating and program delivery support.
• Funding available for youth recreation (under 18) via accredited associations.
• Support for cultural, recreational, environmental, and charitable initiatives.
• Special grants available for exceptional projects not meeting regular criteria.
• Encourages community development and enhances local well-being.
• Annual pool: 15% of OLG hosting fee from previous year.
• Individual grant amounts vary based on need and program purpose.

Eligibility criteria of the City of Woodstock (City) Community Grants Program program:

• To be considered eligible for a community grant with the City, an organization must be a
• Local non-profit, charitable or volunteer organization that meets the following criteria:
• Be in existence for a minimum of one (1) year
• Have a goal to provide a benefit to the Citys residents
• Have a location in the City, or over half of its participants reside in the City
• Provide programming or services that are open to the public
• Demonstrate fiscal responsibility and sustainability
• Have a diversified revenue base which can include, but is not limited to, memberships, significant earned revenue, funding from other levels of government, and support from the private sector through fundraising activities, donations, and sponsorships; the Community Grant should not be considered the only source of funding for the organization
• Show evidence that other sources of financial support have been received or explored and programs or services cannot be provided without municipal
• Financial assistance
• Additional Eligibility Considerations:
• Grants awarded may be used to assist with operating costs
• Grants may be available for recreational endeavors for Woodstock youth under 18 years of age; applications must be filed, and grants must be distributed by registered non-profit charities or accredited minor sports associations
• Service Clubs applying for a grant will be considered only for current specific projects that benefit the community
• Foundations that hold funds to distribute to other organizations are eligible
• Except for the purpose of flow-through funding to other organizations.
• The Community Grants program will not provide funding to:
• Individuals
• Commercial businesses
• For-profit organizations
• Political organizations
• Publicly funded institutions (i.e., schools, adult learning centres, preschools,
• Hospitals, etc.)
• Adult recreational sports groups, athletes, or teams
• Organizations that received funding in the past and failed to provide financial statements and a report on the allocation of grant funds
• Organizations requesting funding for a capital expense; being an asset or
• Possession having value, such as facility improvements or purchases of items
• Such as appliances, furniture, or vehicles
• Organizations for which other levels of government have legislated
• Responsibility to fund, including but not limited to, educational programs, health care services, public health programs, childcare services, or social assistance programs; applications from these organizations may be considered under a special grant