Oshawa Community Grants

Applicants will be scored on a scale from 1 to 5 in the following categories with 5 being the highest score.

1. Organization Capacity (10%)
2. Proposed Project Scope (20%)
3. Program or Service Plan (20%)
4. Budget (20%)
5. City of Oshawa Focus (30%)

• Operating expenses that cover day-to-day operation of an organization, group or collective (e.g. utilities, rent, insurance, etc.)
• For-profit organizations, groups or individuals
• Political organizations
• City Council affiliated boards or committees
• Religious or faith-based organizations or groups except where service or programs are delivered to the wider community; does not include religious indoctrination and does not generate revenue to provide funding for the organization.
• Organizations that receive funding through Oshawa’s municipal budget process

Successful applicants are required to complete a Funding Report when their project/initiative is complete. Organizations who do not complete a Funding Report will not have future applications considered. 

Information on applications received and grants awarded will be reported to the Corporate and Finance Committee meeting annually. The City may also choose to make grant application information available on the City’s website. Submissions of grant applications are in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.56 (“M.F.I.P.P.A.”).  

Access to supporting documents and other records related to the grant approval process may be requested through the City’s Freedom of Information process. All requests made through Freedom of Information must be submitted in writing and include the mandatory application fee. The release of grant applications and supporting documents is subject to the provisions of M.F.I.P.P.A. For more information, contact Legislative Services.

The Oshawa Community Grants program replaced the previous programs: The Anchor Grant, Partnership Grant, Waiving of Fees, and Financial Assistance Programs which have all been discontinued. 

City Council has delegated the review and assessment of applications under the new program to City staff.

The new program will invite applications once per year under four distinct categories. The applications will be assessed against a Council approved criteria and evaluation process, by a cross-functional team of City staff. Grant applications will no longer be submitted to Council for decision-making.

Staff’s review of the previous grant program found it to be difficult to apply for, inconsistently awarded, and resource-intensive, requiring significant staff time and Council involvement. The program was also outdated. Moving forward, there was a desire to modernize the program, better address community needs, reflect the City’s diversity, increase transparency, and establish a fixed funding allocation. 

What are the benefits of the change?

The Oshawa Community Grant program modernized the application process by developing four distinct streams of funding that align with the Oshawa Strategic Plan. Applicants are able to review the requirements of each stream on a newly created webpage and complete their application online.

Are there other supports available to organizations that may no longer qualify for the program?

Opportunities for funding from the City of Oshawa are limited to the Oshawa Community Grant Program. There are other regional opportunities for granting non-profit organizations, which can be accessed on the Region of Durham’s website.

Council has approved $300,000 for the Oshawa Community Grants Program. The amount is allocated across the four grant streams as follows:

• $100,000 for Arts, Culture, Heritage and Environmental – Events
• $50,000 for Arts, Culture, Heritage and Environmental - Development Projects and Special Initiatives
• $100,000 for Strong Inclusive Communities, and
• $50,000 for Fundraising and Oshawa Significant Events

The committee will consider the amount requested by successful applicants and will allocate funds up to 100% of their request. 

Each category of grant has a maximum funding envelope to be shared among applicants. There is no maximum award to an applicant; the award will be based on the funding envelope available and number of successful applicants under each category.

It is expected that applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application 2 to 4 weeks following the application deadline. The City may contact the applicant if more information or clarification is required during the process.

The City will notify the applicant by email using the contact information provided on the application.

No, an organization will be expected to apply each year following their initial successful application. The committee will evaluate the event along the same criteria each year and apply the percentage funding if approved. The percentage will be calculated on the original amount awarded in the first year.

An organization may apply in more than one category if their event fits more than one. The committee will evaluate and decide which category is best if the application is successful. However, only one award will be made.