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RISE Fund: Racialized and Indigenous Supports for Equity

The Racialized and Indigenous Supports for Equity (RISE) Fund is a community grant that provides support for community-led organizations, programs, initiatives or events meant to decrease inequities and increase opportunities and well-being for Black, Indigenous and racialized communities in Kitchener.

On this page:

  1. Categories and grant amounts
  2. Eligibility
  3. Apply for the RISE Fund
  4. Upcoming information events
  5. Staff contacts
  6. Assessment process
  7. Grant agreements
  8. Accessibility and translation
  9. Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
  10. RISE Fund recipients

Categories and grant amounts

The RISE Fund has an annual budget of $150,000, divided into two intake periods of $75,000 each. Funding is awarded within the following maximums and minimums:

  • maximum annual grant amount for groups/organizations: $10,000
  • minimum annual grant amount for groups/organizations: $1,000
  • maximum for events: $5,000

Groups are eligible for funding within these categories:

Capacity building: groups and organizations can use this funding to provide resources to build and develop internal capacity before launching projects or events.

Eligible expenses include but are not limited to:

  • Professional development for staff, board members or volunteers

  • Staff time dedicated to developing internal systems or policies (e.g., HR policies, board governance)

  • Software or technology purchases that support or enhance programs or services.

    • For example, the purchase of a video conferencing license, a laptop, or tablet


Ineligible expenses include but are not limited to:

  • Direct program delivery costs, such as supplies for events or projects

  • Core operational costs such as office supplies, rental fees, and utilities

  • Honorariums or payments to participants or clients

  • Capital costs such as renovations, construction, or the purchase of land, buildings, vehicles or large equipment

Core operational costs: this funding category is intended to support groups and organizations with core operational costs essential to their work.


Eligible expenses include but are not limited to:

  • Partial or proportional salaries and wages for staff time directly support the organization’s core functions, such as those of administrators

  • Basic office infrastructure such as rent or lease payments, technology subscriptions such as a video conferencing license or accounting software

  • Communications or outreach costs such as website maintenance and branding materials


Ineligible expenses include but are not limited to:

  • Direct program delivery costs, such as supplies for events or projects

  • Capacity development expenses, such as professional development

  • Capital costs such as renovations, construction, or the purchase of land, buildings, vehicles or large equipment

Event funding: an event organized by the group or organization, or a series of small events over time (maximum $5,000)


Eligible expenses include but are not limited to:

  • Event staffing, speakers or facilitation

  • Accessibility supports such as ASL or captioning

  • Venue or equipment rental, such as AV equipment

  • Communications and outreach such as posters, flyers or digital advertising specific to the event

  • Supplies and materials directly linked to the event

  • Light snacks or refreshments for attendees


Ineligible expenses include but are not limited to:

  • Ticketed events intended for profit

  • The purchase of permanent large equipment such as AV equipment

  • Facility renovations or improvements

  • Core operations costs and expenses unrelated to the planning or delivery of the event

Project and/or program funding: projects organized by the group or organization


Eligible expenses include but are not limited to:

  • Staff and personnel costs such as salaries or honorariums for project coordinators, guest speakers

  • Supplies and materials directly linked to the project or program

  • Venue and equipment rental costs for program delivery

  • Accessibility and interpretation supports

  • Communications and outreach costs, such as the design and printing of posters, flyers or digital media


Ineligible expenses include but are not limited to:

  • Core operations costs

  • Capital costs such as renovations, construction, or the purchase of land, buildings, vehicles or large equipment

  • Unrelated expenses that are not directly connected to the project or program, such as professional development

We will consider other requests as long as they still fall within the broader criteria of the grant.

Please note: If you are uncertain about the eligibility of an expense, we encourage you to reach out to staff for clarification.

Eligibility

This grant is open to formal and informal organizations or community groups in Kitchener. The group/organization can be newly formed for the purpose of a specific project or is a pre-existing group undertaking a project.

Applicants must meet the following application criteria:

  • the organization or group is led by individuals who identify as Black, Indigenous and/or racialized

  • the organization or group serves Black, Indigenous and/or racialized individuals and/or groups in Kitchener

  • the organization or group can demonstrate through a budget how they propose to use the funds

  • the organization or group agrees to report back upon completion of the project, event, or initiative, including accountability of all revenues, expenses and proof of purchases

  • the organization or group agrees to complete an evaluation following the conclusion of the project, event or initiative

  • the project/program, event or initiative will contribute to one or several of the following:

    • decrease inequities

    • increase opportunities

    • increase well-being for Black, Indigenous or other racialized community members in Kitchener

We will not provide grant funding, financial support or any other financial or in-kind contribution to any person, including any individual, body, business, or entity, that hosts, arranges, contributes to or promotes Conversion Practices. Learn more about this policy on LaserFiche.

 

Apply for the RISE Fun

Apply now

Applications are open from September 24, 2025 and close on October 24, 2025.

Staff contacts

If you have questions about the grant criteria, eligibility, or potential alignment of your project, group or event with the objectives of the RISE Fund, please email Yesenia Torres.

If you have questions about the grant process or completing the application form, please email Amanda Drumond or call 519-783-8989

Assessment process

The City of Kitchener Equity & Anti-Racism Advisory Committee is the selection committee for this grant. This committee includes 10 community members representing voices who have been historically underrepresented or excluded, specifically those who are Black, Indigenous, racialized, 2SLGBTQ+ identified, people with disabilities, religious minorities, and the intersections of these identities.

Applicants are encouraged to provide detailed information about the established criteria, such as community needs, impact, measurable outcomes, feasibility, creativity, sustainability and budget clarity. Proposals will be evaluated solely based on the information submitted on the application.

Staff provide facilitative and administrative support. City staff do not have voting privileges in the grant selection. 

Grant agreements

All RISE Fund recipients are required to sign a contract with the City of Kitchener, outlining the terms of the agreement per the regulations set by the City Solicitor.

A final financial report must be submitted within 8 months of receiving the City-issued cheque, unless an alternative timeline has been discussed and approved. During this period, the City may also request a status update on the funded initiative. 

Accessibility and translation

We are committed to helping with all accessibility requests, including language translation. Applications may be submitted in languages other than English, and translation or interpretation services will be provided upon request. Paper versions of the application are also available upon request for pick-up at any of our community centres or City Hall.

 If you have any accessibility requirements, please email Amanda Drumond or call 519-741-2200, ext. 7591.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Yes, you are eligible to apply; however, ensure that your application clearly explains and demonstrates how your group or organization will directly serve and positively impact members of the Kitchener community. While residing in Kitchener does not disqualify you, preference may be given to organizations that are both based in and actively serving the Kitchener area.

Applicants can expect to receive an email from the City within 4 to 8 weeks following the application deadline. During this period, City staff may reach out to request additional information. All applicants will be notified of the outcome of their submission.

Only one application per group or organization will be accepted.

  • Projects, events, or initiatives whose leader(s) do not identify as Black, Indigenous or racialized

  • Projects, events or initiatives that do not serve Black, Indigenous or racialized community members

  • For-profit organizations, businesses, social ventures and enterprises that generate an income

  • Projects, events or initiatives that do not directly serve and impact Kitchener residents

  • Projects, events, or initiatives led by an individual without the active support and involvement of a group or organization

  • Organizations whose activities may breach the Ontario Human Rights Code or Charter of Rights

  • Organizations whose activities include conversion practices

All applications are reviewed through a multi-step process to ensure fairness, transparency, and alignment with the program’s goals. The selection process typically involves the following steps:

  1. Eligibility Review:
    City staff review all submissions to confirm they meet the basic eligibility requirements, including alignment with the grant’s criteria, completion of the application, and required documentation. Staff will follow up with applicants if submissions are incomplete and clarify when eligibility requirements are unclear.

  2. Evaluation by a Selection Committee:
    Eligible applications are reviewed and evaluated by a citizen selection committee composed of members of the City’s Equity and Anti-Racism Advisory Committee. The committee members bring a wide range of lived and professional experiences, and are deeply committed to supporting community initiatives. Each application is evaluated individually and collectively, based on the eligibility and established criteria such as community impact, measurable outcomes, feasibility, creativity, sustainability and budget clarity.

  3. Funding Recommendations:
    Based on the Selection Committee’s evaluations and the available budget, funding recommendations are made. In some cases, the panel may recommend partial funding or request clarification before making a final decision.

  4. Approval and Notification:
    Final funding decisions are approved by the City. All applicants, successful and unsuccessful, will be notified of the outcome by email, typically within 4 to 8 weeks of the application deadline.

  5. Agreements and Reporting:
    Successful applicants will be required to sign a funding agreement and agree to any reporting or evaluation requirements.

 

RISE Fund recipients

Open the tabs below to learn about previous RISE Fund recipients.

  • Action For Women and Family Foundation
  • African Community Wellness Initiative
  • African Family Revival Organization
  • Association of Liberian Immigrants in Kitchener Environs
  • BeBlended
  • Coalition of Muslim Women of Kitchener-Waterloo
  • Ethiopian Association of KW & Surrounding Areas
  • Hope for Community Development
  • Levant Canada
  • Maada'oonidiwag
  • Rohingya Centre of Canada
  • The ForUsGirls Foundation

  • Abeingo Association Canada
  • African Women's Alliance of Waterloo Region
  • Afropolitan Canada
  • Bring on the Sunshine
  • CKW Naija Mama's Group
  • Congress of Black Women of Canada, Waterloo Chapter
  • Crow Shield Lodge
  • Empower Employment Inc
  • Findsuri
  • Kingsdale Community Garden
  • Koraa
  • MedInclude
  • Muslim Association of Canada – MAC Youth
  • Muslim Social Services Waterloo Region
  • Nigerians in the Region of Waterloo
  • O:se Kenhionhata:tie, Land Back Camp
  • Rhythm & Blues Cambridge
  • Somali Canadian Association of Waterloo Region
  • Sporas
  • The Caribbean Canadian Association of Waterloo Region 

  • AfriWat
  • African Family Revival Organization
  • Afropolitan Canada
  • Anjuman-e-Fakhri: Kitchener
  • Bring on the Sunshine
  • Building Brilliance KW
  • Canadian Arab Women's Association
  • Crow Shield Lodge
  • Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Indigenization Coalition
  • Eritrean Islamic Community of Waterloo Region
  • Inner Compass Well-being
  • Kind Minds Family Wellness
  • Kingsdale Community Garden
  • K-W Urban Native Wigwam Project
  • Nigerians in the Region of Waterloo
  • Rhythm & Blues Cambridge
  • Sporas
  • Textile
  • The Canadian Helpers Society

Contact Us

City of Kitchener
200 King Street West,
Kitchener, Ontario
Telephone: 519-741-2345,
TTY: 1-866-969-9994
mailto:info@kitchener.ca