Funding Resources

The COVID-19 Pandemic has been an unprecedented time in Durham Region and as a result, many residents are experiencing unprecedented need. Community organizations are working hard to respond to the needs of the community and funding initiatives to help to support this work are in place to help. 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. 

Durham Region COVID-19 Funders Table: Funders in the Region of Durham are working together to meet the needs of our community through the dedicated work of local organizations and service providers. The Durham Region Funders Table is a Community of Practice that aims to meet community needs together. This includes ensuring that funding allocations for charitable and not-for-profit sectors are coordinated and informed by local data, such as geography, equity and need. Convened by the Region of Durham, the Funders Table includes United Way Durham Region, Durham Community Foundations, the Region of Durham and local municipalities. Members share information, data and funding allocations in an effort to ensure the funds made available in our community reach as many residents as possible. For more information please contact Tracey Tyner Cavanagh at tracey.tynercavanagh@durham.ca.

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 Issues

Funding Opportunities Update: January 2023: This update includes upcoming funding opportunities with deadlines for applications.

Funding Opportunities Update: Ongoing Opportunities and Funding Portals: This update includes information about funding opportunities that accept applications on an ongoing basis and about funding portals - ways to access many different funding programs at once, either through a list of constantly changing current programs or through a streamlined application process.

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

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.

CMHC/SCHL: National Housing Co-Investment Fund: Black-led Organizations

This option of the National Housing Co-Investment Contribution Fund increases access to housing funding for Black-led organizations. The contribution funding supports Black-led* organizations to build housing benefiting Black households. The Fund prioritizes partnerships between Black-led organizations and other partners like governments, non-profits and other such organizations.

Contribution Funding through the Co-Investment Fund supports organizations that have already partnered and secured funding but require more capital. It can be used to:

• top-up funding – when you have most of your project funding secured and require top-up funding to close a funding gap
• leverage other funding sources – get funding confirmation within 30 days of being prioritized that can then be used to secure funding from other sources

Contribution Funding provides:

• an unsecured contribution that facilitates seamless integration into project financing structures. This can make it easier for you to attract other sources of funding.
• more certainty on funding amounts* Please refer to the Viability Assessment Spreadsheet for more details.

* The Co-Investment’s Contribution funding amounts are based on lesser of per unit calculation, project needs or percentage of costs (Non-profits/coops = 40%.)

Learn More

Government of Canada: Community Services Recovery Fund

The Community Services Recovery Fund is a $400 million investment from the Government of Canada to support charities and non-profits as they focus on how to adapt their organizations for pandemic recovery. Now more than ever, charities and non-profits are playing a key role in addressing persistent and complex social problems faced by all communities. The Community Services Recovery Fund responds to what charities and non-profits need right now and supports organizations as they adapt to the long-term impacts of the pandemic.

Durham Community Foundation and United Way of Durham Region are working in collaboration with Community Foundations of Canada, United Way Centraide Canada, and the Canadian Red Cross to distribute funding. 

This fund supports Community Service Organizations, including non-profit organizations, Indigenous Governing Bodies, and Registered Charities located across Canada. 

Deadline: February 21, 2023

Learn More

Town of Whitby Mayor's Community Development Fund

Community Grants

The Town of Whitby is providing funds through the Mayor’s Community Development Fund (MCDF), which provides financial assistance to local community groups, events and initiatives that help contribute to Whitby as a vibrant and caring community. The criteria has been expanded to focus on local organizations working to help the Whitby community during the COVID-19 public health crisis. Applications are accepted on a monthly basis for community grants of up to $5,000. 

Lead Cause Grants

Applications for Lead Cause Grants of up to $25,000 are accepted twice per year.

Deadline: End of October for the Mayor's Fundraiser and End of March for the Mayor's Golf Tournament

Learn More

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Frequently Asked Questions