Grant-writing workshop and RISE Fund supporting racialized residents

The City of Kitchener this fall is supporting racialized organizations and groups through a free grant-writing workshop and $75,000 in grants available through the Racialized and Indigenous Supports for Equity (RISE) Fund.

The City is partnering with Kind Minds Family Wellness and the Kitchener Public Library to host a free grant-writing workshop for racialized and Indigenous groups and organizations serving those same communities. The two-part workshop includes sessions on Oct. 5 and 11. Registration is now open. For details, visit the registration page.

The RISE Fund supports applications for up to $10,000 in funding per group and will be open Oct. 10 - Nov. 10. For details about the RISE program, visit www.kitchener.ca/RISE.

Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic said, “The grant-writing workshop and RISE Fund are just some of the ways the City supports Black, Indigenous, and racialized community-led organizations and helps to increase their opportunities and well-being.

“These programs continue the work we ramped up several years ago,” he said. “Our latest strategic plan, which council passed unanimously in late August, reaffirms our commitment to creating a more caring city — a city for everyone where, together, we take care of the world around us – and each other.”

The RISE Fund program started in 2022, and since then, the City has distributed about $150,000 to support 23 groups, individuals, and events — including 11 organizations that received grants earlier this year.

“This past spring, the selection committee — the City’s equity and anti-racism advisory committee — awarded grants to a broad spectrum of groups working diligently to reduce inequities for local racialized residents,” said Rea Parchment, the City’s senior anti-racism advisor.

The following groups received funding:

Somali Canadian Association of Waterloo Region (SCAWR); to help expand their basketball and soccer drop-in programs into a structured sports program for East African youth in our community.

Rhythm & Blues Cambridge; to enable the group to expand its Black Girl Excellence Program and Art from the Heart workshops to Kitchener.

Muslim Social Services; to support the continuation and expansion of the Hear Me Out youth program that enlightens youth about spiritually and culturally relevant tools that make for a positive, resilient mindset.

The Caribbean Canadian Association of Waterloo Region; to support the LiftOff pitching competition, a platform that allows Black entrepreneurs to pitch their business ideas to a panel of judges.

Crow Shield Lodge; to support the ongoing expansion of offerings for the local Indigenous community to connect with the land and waters in the region.

CKW Naija Mama’s Group; to support the Empower Mamas Project to help immigrant mothers — often skilled yet underemployed — find commensurate jobs in their fields.

Bring on the Sunshine (BOTS); to contribute to their annual African Festival, which helps alleviate the isolation of racialized/marginalized groups, spreads awareness for Black and African issues, and promotes education and leadership opportunities for Black and African youth.

Nigerians in the Region of Waterloo; to support INDEFEST, commemorating Nigeria’s Independence Day. The festival features Nigerian arts, culture, dance, food, and music.

Sporas Scattered; to help create a platform where Palestinian diaspora youth can learn about their peoples, cultural identities, and traditions and reduce inequities and anti-Palestinian racism.

Muslim Association of Canada Youth Inspire; to help host multiple events and small-group programs fostering Islamic principles such as purpose, honesty, generosity, and addressing identity crisis issues.

Empower Employment (Mental Mindset Management); to help provide free and compassionate mental health care to racialized families in Kitchener.

For more details and information on how to apply for the next round of funding, visit www.kitchener.ca/RISE.

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For more information

Shawn Falcao
Manager, Corporate Communications
City of Kitchener
shawn.falcao@kitchener.ca