Community Grants in Aid Program. The current system was approved in 2009 and was designed to support the arts, culture, heritage, recreation, the environment, social services, and health. That umbrella did not change, but the specifics were debated.
Council provides up to $1,000 through the Community Projects grants. The Community Investment Grants are up to $5,000, and Non-profit Major grants are up to $20,000. Under this system, in 2026, cemeteries received just more than $27,000, and community support and health services received just more than $127,000. The Youth Initiative Fund was allocated $20,000, and a little more than $28,000 was unallocated.
Council chose a tiered system, creating several grant streams. This includes a separate grant stream for cemeteries, heritage, and essential services. Another stream will be for multi-year grants for organizations in good standing. A final stream will be for healthcare and advocacy, with an eye on providing funding but also seeking external funding from other sources.
Staff will rework the policy and bring it back to council for final approval.
Listen to the debate at council:
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