Community grant applications now open

Community organizations that work for the common good of Kitchener residents may be eligible for a community grant. The City of Kitchener offers funding to not-for-profit organizations that provide services in the areas of arts and culture, special events, community support and development, and sports and recreation.

Community groups can apply for funding to assist with projects, special events, operating and equipment support. For two recent community grant recipients, Young@rt (Young Art) and the Community Coalition on Refugee and Immigrant Concerns (CCORIC), this funding has been instrumental in delivering their programs.

Young@rt is an annual event showcasing talented youth and their artistic creations. It is produced by Arts4All/Artshine in collaboration with several partner organizations. With the support of a City of Kitchener community grant, additional resources were available to support the event planning, purchase programming supplies, run workshops, and hire additional staff during the production of Young@rt.

“Youth programs such as Young@rt provide young adults with an opportunity to demonstrate their talents and express their creative potential,” said Paul Field, founder/CEO of Artshine Inc. and founder/executive director of Arts4All Unlimited Inc. “Through programs like these, our community is able to sustain a vibrant art and culture scene and shape the future of our economic, social, and cultural development.”

Through the community grant, the Community Coalition on Refugee and Immigrant Concerns (CCORIC), organizes and hosts World Refugee Day Waterloo Region annually. The funding helps secure event locations, guest speakers, marketing materials and refreshments. As part of World Refugee Day activities, CCORIC partners with other organizations and groups to host community-wide events recognizing the history of our region as a refuge for those fleeing their homes while also highlighting the significant contributions newcomers make to our community.

“This grant has enabled us to engage newly arrived youth through art, music, and storytelling at our World Refugee Day events in a meaningful way”, said Mary Lou Roe, program coordinator of CCORIC. “Community grant funding has also helped us accomplish a variety of objectives, including raising awareness about issues facing refugee and immigrant communities, and planning community-wide events that celebrate our region’s rich history.”

The deadline for application for the 2023 community grant program is Monday, December 12 at 9 a.m.

For community grant criteria and information on how to apply, visit www.kitchener.ca/communitygrants.

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For more information, contact
Bethany Rowland
Director, Corporate Communications & Marketing

Bethany.rowland@kitchener.ca