Funding Resources

Community organizations work hard to respond to the needs of the community and funding initiatives to help to support this work are available from many sources, including the federal and provincial governments, business and other funding organizations. This page will post funding opportunities that may be of interest to local organizations and other resources that can help in the application process.

Questions? A series of frequently asked questions and answers is at the bottom of the page.

Find Tips for Writing Grant Applications and helpful Data Sources for Grant Applications. 

Funding Opportunities Update e-Newsletter

The Funding Opportunities Update is a bi-monthly e-newsletter that provides information about upcoming grants, funders and funding deadlines. You can find links to the most current issues below.

The updates are not exhaustive lists of funding opportunities and should not preclude you investigating funding opportunities on your own. If you find a grant that you think should be added to the list, please let us know by emailing funding@durham.ca.

Current Issue

Funding Opportunities Update: March 2025: This update includes upcoming funding opportunities with deadlines for applications.

Sign up to receive the Funding Opportunities Update by emailing funding@durham.ca.

Local Funders and Community Organizations

Current Funding Opportunities

The current funding opportunities listed below opened after the most current Funding Opportunities Update was released and so were not included in the e-newsletter.

Prosper Canada: Resilient Futures: Financial Well-Being for All Canadians

This initiative is focused on supporting organizations that are working to enhance financial stability and resilience for community members struggling with low incomes.

Funding is available for various types of organizations:  

Hub or Partner Funding: For organizations with experience in Financial Empowerment services (e.g., tax filing, benefits access, financial coaching). 

Priority Population Funding: For organizations new to these services but looking to expand their capacity and who are focused on Black communities, First Nations, Métis and Inuit, or people with disabilities.  

 We welcome proposals from organizations committed to building community resilience, economic stability, and sustainable solutions for those facing financial hardship. 
 
You can find the Resilient Futures call for proposals portal here. The deadline to apply is May 14, 2025 and we encourage early submissions.

Information sessions

Attend a live Information or Q&A session where we’ll walk through the application process, eligibility criteria, and answer your questions. Register now and attend:

• Information session - English presentation - April 15, 2025 - 2:00 pm EDT 
• Information session - French presentation - April 16, 2025 - 2:00 pm EDT 
• Question and Answer session - English presentation - April 23, 2025 - 2:00 pm EDT 
• Questions and Answer session - French presentation - April 24, 2025 - 2:00 pm EDT  

Deadline: May 14, 2025 

Learn More

Region of Durham Community Social Investment Program: Sustainable Food Security Fund 

Applications now open

Through the Sustainable Food Security Fund, the CSIP aims to address food insecurity in Durham Region and support sustainable solutions. This funding stream is designed to support innovative projects that enhance the sustainability and resilience of our local food security sector. Recognizing the critical role of existing community food programs, funding will focus on initiatives that promote long-term, sustainable solutions to improve food security for residents.

Objectives:

• Contribute to sustainable food security solutions
• Promote dignity for users of food programs
• Increase efficiency within the food distribution systems
• Build capacity of existing food programs
• Increase access to fresh, nutritious food

Example Projects May Include:

1. Community Gardens: Establishing community gardens where residents can grow their own fruits and vegetables, increasing access to fresh produce, promoting healthy eating, and fostering community engagement.
2. Urban Agriculture: Implementing urban agriculture projects such as rooftop gardens, vertical farming, and hydroponics to maximize the use of urban spaces for food production and increase food security.
3. Nutrition Education Programs: Offering educational programs on nutrition, cooking, and sustainable food practices to empower residents with knowledge about healthy eating, reduce food waste, and promote sustainable food practices.
4. Food Recovery and Redistribution: Establishing systems to recover surplus food from restaurants, grocery stores, and farms, and redistribute it to those in need to reduce food waste and provide nutritious food to food-insecure populations.
5. Mobile Markets: Establishing mobile markets that bring fresh, affordable produce directly to underserved neighborhoods to increase access to healthy food options for residents and promote healthy eating.
6. Market Model Food Banks: Transforming traditional food banks into market-style food banks where users can choose their own food, enhancing the dignity and autonomy of food bank users, reducing food waste, and improving the overall efficiency of food distribution. 

Deadline: Funding stream will remain open until all funds have been exhausted; applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Learn More

CSIP: Thriving Communities Fund

Applications open: Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. EST

In Durham Region, approximately 5.2% of residents live in poverty[1] The Community Social Investment Program (CSIP) supports social services investment in the local non-profit sector with a focus on poverty reduction and supporting communities to thrive. The primary goal of the Thriving Communities Fund is to support non-profit organizations in their efforts to prevent or reduce poverty within the Durham Region. By investing in operational and capacity-building activities, the fund aims to strengthen these organizations' ability to deliver key programs and services that contribute to a thriving community.

Objectives:

• Prevent or reduce poverty in Durham Region
• Strengthen organizational capacity in non-profit sector
• Promote sustainability and long-term impact
• Enhance service delivery to equity deserving groups
• Foster collaboration and community partnerships

Key Details:

• Funding stream will open with a call for applications to be announced through the Regions communication channels. Submissions will be reviewed after the call for applications closes.
• Project must be based within Durham Region and serve Durham residents.
• Projects that build on existing community resources and/or partnerships will be prioritized.
• Initiatives should demonstrate a clear plan for sustainability and long-term impact.
• Applicants must provide a detailed budget and timeline for project implementation.
• The maximum amount to be awarded per project is $50,000. Applicants should request only the amount necessary to support the specific needs of their project.

Example Projects May Include:

Community Health and Wellness Programs: 

• Initiatives providing counseling, supports groups, mental health education to residents.
• Fitness and nutrition programs that promote physical health through exercise, nutrition workshops, healthy lifestyle education

Youth Engagement and Development:

• After-school programs that provide educational and recreational activities for children and teenagers to support their development and keep them engaged.
• Youth leadership training initiatives that develop leadership skills in young people through workshops, mentorship, and community services opportunities.

Community Resource Hubs

• Multi-services hubs that offer a variety of services such as health care, legal aid, and social services under one roof
• Technology access hubs that provide access to computers, internet, and digital literacy training to residents who lack these resources

Strategic Planning and Development

• Fundraising strategy development to support the creation of robust fundraising strategies that support sustainable funding plans
• Grant writing and proposal training skills and develop compelling proposals to secure additional funding from various sources, including government grants, private foundations, and corporate sponsorships.

Deadline to apply: Monday, May 19, 2025, 12:00 p.m. EST

Frequently Asked Questions