My Great Neighbourhood Grant Program

The My Great Neighbourhood Grant program is all about community.

The program helps residents animate public space, develop and enhance a sense of community and leave a positive legacy in our neighbourhoods. You are invited to apply!

My Great Neighbourhoods Grants

The Fall application period is now closed. The next application period opens March 1, 2020. Please check back then for all the updates on the program and forms.

What qualifies as a good project for this grant program?

Qualifying Projects:

  • Are initiated and implemented by local residents.
  • Help animate community spaces.
  • Create gathering spots or provide activities that bring people together. 
  • Contribute to neighbourhood pride and enhance quality of life.
  • Promote community development and community programming
  • Could serve as a neighbourhood improvement campaign
  • Can be a pilot project
  • Must be completed within one year upon receiving funding.

The City will fund up to $5,000 to match the equivalent contribution the neighbourhood makes, which can be a combination of volunteer labour, donated services, donated materials and other funds raised. Eligible applications include not-for-profit organizations, schools and community centres. Ad hoc groups of residents are also eligible for the grant but need a sponsor non-profit organization. 

The City will provide up to $5,000 for placemaking projects and up to $1,000 for activities.  The projects funded by these grants are initiated and implemented by local residents.

How Do I Apply?

If you are interested in applying for a My Great Neighbourhood Grant, consider the grant policy to get a good understanding of the program.  Here is a tip sheet which you may find helpful. If you are interested in a community art project, please look at the guidelines that apply to those types of projects.

You can then review the checklist as you develop your project idea to make sure that you are considering everything.

Once you have developed a concept for a project, you should schedule a meeting to discuss the idea with the Neighbourhood Advisor for the location. You must meet with staff before you submit your application.

Once you have met with staff and confirmed that your idea is ready to submit, please complete the application form. 

Placemaking projects may include:

  • Community garden enhancement
  • Boulevard enhancement
  • Neighbourhood gathering place (e.g. seating areas)
  • Community pathway
  • Decorative lighting display
  • Community art display
  • Neighbourhood branding initiative
  • Interpretive signage
  • Community lending projects (e.g. seed libraries and tools)
  • Playground enhancement
  • Playable spaces

Click here to read about recent successful applications:

2018 Fall Grant Recipients
2016 Grant Recipients

Looking for ideas? Read about some great ideas on the following links:

101 small ways you can improve your city  
Shareable: Great Placemaking Ideas
Placemaking resources
Resilient Neighbourhoods
Lighter Quicker Cheaper
Placemaking in a Canadian Context
Creative City Network of Canada Toolkits
11 Principles of Placemaking
Placemaking Ideas
Creative Placemaking around the World
The Better Block Foundation
City Repair 

Important Documents:

Application:
My Great Neighbourhood Grant Application Form - Fall 2019 [DOCX - 116 KB]

Policy:
My Great Neighbourhood Grant Policy - Fall 2019 [PDF - 121 KB]

Checklist: 
My Great Neighbourhood Grant Checklist - Fall 2019 [PDF - 81 KB]

Tip Sheet:
Things to consider (tip sheet).pdf [PDF - 218 KB]

Sample Activity Budget:
Sample Activity Budget.pdf [PDF - 20 KB]

Sample Placemaking Project Budget:
Sample Placemaking Project Budget [DOCX - 69 KB]

Final Report Template:
My Great Neighbourhood Final Report Guidelines - Fall 2019 [PDF - 88 KB]