In the bustling city of Mississauga, a vibrant and engaged community lies at the heart of its success. Recognizing the vital role that community groups play in fostering a sense of belonging, encouraging active lifestyles, and enhancing the overall quality of life for its residents, the City of Mississauga proudly introduces the Community Grant Program. This groundbreaking initiative serves as a beacon of support for local not-for-profit organizations striving to make a positive impact on their communities.
Nurturing Vibrant Communities
The Community Grant Program is a testament to the City's commitment to fostering a thriving community where residents of all ages can live, work, and play harmoniously. Through this program, Mississauga-based not-for-profit community groups are offered the opportunity to secure annual and multi-year grants that fuel their endeavors in keeping the city's residents active, healthy, and engaged.
Aligning with Strategic Priorities
At the heart of this program lies a strategic alignment with the core priorities of two integral divisions of the City: the Recreation Division and the Parks, Forestry, and Environment Division. The program's foundation is built upon principles outlined in key documents such as the Recreation Master Plan, Older Adult Plan for Recreation, Youth Plan for Recreation, Urban Agriculture Strategy, Parks and Forestry Master Plan, and Climate Change Action Plan. By doing so, the program seamlessly integrates with the City's overarching strategic priorities: Move, Belong, Connect, Prosper, and Green.
A Dual Funding Stream Approach
The Community Grant Program operates through two distinct funding streams, each designed to cater to the unique needs and aspirations of Mississauga's community groups:
1. Annual Community Grants
As the name suggests, the Annual Community Grants stream offers financial support of up to $10,000. This funding is specifically directed towards aiding operating or program-related expenses for organizations and initiatives that aim to enrich the variety and choice of community programs and services available to Mississauga residents. With a focus on projects that can be successfully executed within a single calendar year, this funding stream facilitates the implementation of impactful programs that bring the community closer together.
2. Multi-Year Community Grants
The Multi-Year Community Grants stream extends a helping hand to organizations seeking sustainability and long-term impact. By invitation only, this funding stream supports core operating expenses, acting as a pillar of support for organizations with a proven track record of effective management and previous successful collaboration with the City of Mississauga. For these grants, a robust demonstration of the return on investment (ROI) from prior funding rounds is required, alongside clearly defined organizational targets and quantifiable Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the proposed multi-year initiative.
Qualifying for Support
The eligibility criteria for the Community Grant Program are designed to ensure that support is directed to organizations that are best positioned to drive meaningful change within the Mississauga community. To be considered, community groups must meet the following criteria:
Annual Community Grants
Legally incorporated as a not-for-profit entity for at least four years at the time of application.
Proven record of effectively managing grant funds, including documented deliverables and outcomes from past initiatives.
Demonstrate financial sustainability without major deficits.
Multi-Year Community Grants
Legally incorporated as a not-for-profit organization within the Province of Ontario.
A successful history of managing City of Mississauga funding for a minimum of five years.
Provide year-round programs and services aligned with the strategic priorities of the Recreation and/or Parks, Forestry, and Environment Divisions.
Documented history of service to Mississauga residents.
Strong financial stability without significant deficits.
Exclusions and Beyond
While the Community Grant Program presents a remarkable opportunity for many, certain entities and activities are excluded from consideration. These include:
- Government agencies.
- For-profit organizations.
- Business Improvement Areas (BIAs).
- Organizations affiliated with political parties or their associated programs/services.
- Individuals.
- Programs or events already receiving City funding.
- Educational institutions and school councils.
- Commercial ventures.
- Activities outside the boundaries of the City of Mississauga.
- Organizations not meeting eligibility criteria for their selected funding stream.
- Projects already supported by other City initiatives or programs.
- Charitable donations and bursaries.
- Fundraising projects.
- Deficit reduction and capital expenditure.
- Initiatives requiring participation in religious activities.
- Travel and accommodation expenses.
The City of Mississauga's Community Grant Program stands as a testament to the power of collective action and local initiatives. By offering support through both annual and multi-year funding streams, the program empowers community groups to enhance the lives of Mississauga residents, fostering a culture of togetherness, well-being, and prosperity. As the program thrives in alignment with strategic priorities, it reinforces the City's commitment to creating a sustainable, connected, and vibrant future for all its residents. For further information, feel free to visit the official City of Mississauga website, where opportunities await to amplify your organization's impact and leave a lasting legacy of positive change.
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