Our Grant Program

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT - Our 2023 Grant Program is suspended.

The Board of Directors of the Campbellford/Seymour Community Foundation would like to inform organizations that apply for grants that due to the unprecedented downturn in the global economy, and to protect the CSCF’s endowments, the most prudent action is to suspend the grant program for 2023, until such times as our investment recovers.

We are proud that the CSCF has invested over $4.1 million in grants in our community since 2003 and are deeply sorry for the news that we are unable to provide grant funding in 2023. We will continue to share grant opportunities from other funders as they come to our attention.


Our grant program provides grants in the following fields of interest:  

  • Arts and Culture
  • Community Development
  • Education
  • Environment
  • Health and Wellness
  • Recreation
  • Social Services
  • Youth

All qualified applications are considered according to their merit and in light of the funds available for distribution.

The grant review committee is composed of board members and community volunteers, who review the applications and make a recommendation to the Board of Directors, which exercises final authority. The grant review committee may solicit the advice of other knowledgeable individuals or organizations.

Grant applications will be assessed without discrimination regarding gender, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, creed or disability. By the same token, the committee will accept applications only from organizations and for projects, which are free from detrimental discrimination based on gender, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, creed or disability.

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When considering applications for funding, our grant review committee considers projects that:

  • Address challenges and opportunities
  • Promote networking and sharing
  • Impact people in a significant way or means
  • Build effective community partnerships
  • Improve organizational effectiveness
  • Plan for continuation of the project beyond initial funding
  • Realize a significant and sustainable result with a moderate amount of funding
  • Are new and innovative

Community Impact Grants - Our primary grant program available to local Registered Charities for projects that seed, nurture and support community initiatives.

Job Opportunity for Youth Grants - The Job Opportunity for Youth initiative provides charitable and not‐for‐profit organizations with grant funding to provide summer employment for youth in our community.

Children & Youth in Recreation Grants - To support recreational projects and programs for children and youth in the Campbellford/Seymour community, through funding from the Ontario Endowment for Children & Youth in Recreation Fund.

Mini Grants - A less strenuous application for smaller grant projects with funding coming from our "Field of Interest" endowment funds:

Community Kindness Grants for Schools - An innovative opportunity for students in Campbellford to learn about philanthropy.

In order to be eligible to apply for a grant, an organization must:

  • Be registered as a charity or be a qualified donee with Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)
  • Ensure grant projects benefit residents of the Campbellford/Seymour Ward in the Municipality of Trent Hills.
  • Make services available without discrimination.
  • Grants shall be made only to applicants demonstrating the capacity for accountability, the applicant organization must have a board of directors, or a well-defined accountable committee.
  • Agree to abide by the Community Foundation's Recognition Policy
  • Be in good standing with regards to the Grant Terms and Condition for previous grants

A non-charity may partner with a registered charity or qualified donee in a Joint Venture Relationship to accomplish a project. This requires a written contract or formalized partnership agreement. Better Together - A Guide to Charity/Non-charity Partnerships, written and prepared by Katherine Main, is an excellent resource for both non-charities considering a project, and registered charities considering a request for partnership. We suggest both parties read this document before completing an application.

The Municipality of Trent Hills will consider partnering on grant projects that address any of the following:

  • Improvements to the following Municipal public spaces - recreation facilities, streetscape, heritage and cultural spaces, and green space beautification.

The lead organization delivers the approved grant project, with the Municipality retaining direction and control over the project funds.

Organizations should contact the Community Foundation first to see if their proposed project meets the municipal eligibility guidelines. If the Community Foundation feels that the project meets the guidelines, the organization must make the request in writing to the municipality no later than the end of September. The request must outline how the proposed project meets the eligible project requirements noted above.

To find out more about current CRA guidelines, please read Guidance CG-004.

The CSCF does not fund:

  • Core operating costs or deficit reduction
  • Capital building campaigns
  • General fundraising activities or campaigns
  • Religious or political activities
  • Sponsorships
  • Endowment campaigns, assistance funds, or annual drives for sustaining support
  • Advocacy initiatives
  • Expenses incurred prior to the community foundation awarding the grant
  • Individuals, sabbatical leaves, conferences or student exchanges

The community foundation does not normally fund predictable replacement of equipment or predictable capital repairs or replacements to buildings. Requests for appliances may be considered but will not be considered a funding priority.

No salaries, remuneration, stipends or like payments unless clearly specified in an approved grant application or otherwise specifically approved by the community foundation.

  • Organizations cannot apply for a grant unless they are in good standing with their previous years grants. Project Evaluation reports should be complete and submitted in a timely manner.
  • Organizations must complete a separate application for each project. Please do not "bundle" multiple projects on one application form.
  • Organizations cannot typically apply for a second cycle of funding for a program that was funded in a previous year. A pilot program that was deemed successful should have a sustainability plan developed to continue that program without annual CSCF grant funding.
  • Grants shall typically be made on a one‑time basis without renewal. Preference is given to new initiatives, but a promising project or program may receive more than one grant provided there is evidence the program is developing successfully, or to enhance or extend the project or program.
  • The community foundation may limit the amounts of individual grants, or place a cap on the amount of funding per project, to preserve its granting budget for other applicants.