Community Support Program

The Community Grant Program (CGP) is an annual application and disbursement program for grants of $500 to $5,000. The application deadline is October 1 of each year​, with grants disbursed in the subsequent calendar year. Organizations must reside within BWG and provide benefit to residents of the community. Priority will be given to requests that support programs in the following categories: youth/senior, heritage/civic, arts/culture or leisure/tourism.

2026 Recipients

Bradford Air Cadets (37 Orville Hand)

Category
Youth

Purpose/Details
Funds will support 37 Squadron Bradford Air Cadets’ growth by securing a suitable location for Parade Night and sustaining outreach to increase community recognition.

Amount Approved
$2,500.00

Bond Head Women’s Institute

Category
Community Development (Social Service)

Purpose/Details
Funds to host three community events -the Christmas Craft Market, Elvis Event and Strawberry Social

Amount Approved
$1,000.00

Bradford Board of Trade

Category
Community Development

Purpose/Details
Seeking an in-kind contribution equal to Town space rental costs to operate and run networking/workshop supports for local businesses.

Amount Approved
$2,500.00

Bradford Diversity Action Group (DAG)

Category
Arts/Culture

Purpose/Details
Funds to provide educational resources, organize multicultural festivals and community events for International Women’s day, Diversity day, black History Month, Indigenous cultural days etc.

Amount Approved
$500.00

Bradford Tamil Association

Category
Arts/Culture

Purpose/Details
Supports the Tamil community with programs ,cultural festivals, community gatherings, and events/workshops for youth, women, men, and children

Amount Approved
$500.00

Bradford Women's+ Group

Category
Community Development

Purpose/Details
Funds for materials, guest facilitators, and space rental regular sessions and in order to host wellness themed seasonal gatherings, workshops, and healing activities events at no cost. 

Amount Approved
$500.00

Danube Seniors Leisure Centre (BWGSA)

Category
Seniors

Purpose/Details
Printing costs of monthly newsletter for seniors/members who either don't have access to the internet or do not use the internet. 

Amount Approved
$500.00

Fuerza Latina Community Services

Category
Arts/Culture

Purpose/Details
Funds will support the one-day Bradford Latin Festival on August 9, 2026 at public square featuring live Latin music and dance, cultural exhibits, family activities, and cuisine with local artists, businesses, and vendors. The grant will cover event logistics and programming to promote cultural inclusion and community connection

Amount Approved
$500.00

Impact Youth and Cultural Centre

Category
Youth

Purpose/Details
Funds will support youth cultural programs, workshop events, and leadership development resources

Amount Approved
$500.00

Islamic Society of Simcoe County

Category
Arts/Culture

Purpose/Details
Funds will support a local non-profit serving the Muslim community by covering books and stationery for children’s education; youth soccer program costs (uniforms, equipment, and field bookings); a seniors’ trip to Niagara Falls (transportation and meals); and community-gathering activities that foster connection and well-being

Amount Approved
$500.00

Naloy Cultural Corporation

Category
Arts/Culture

Purpose/Details
Funds will support delivery of the Simcoe Music Festival on September 7, 2026, at Public Square, a one-day celebration of Caribbean heritage—food, music, and storytelling—to promote cultural inclusion and foster community connection.

Amount Approved
$500.00

Nottawasaga Community Economic Development Corporation (NCEDC)

Category
Community Development (Environment/Youth/Education)

Purpose/Details
Funds will support coordination and materials for a spring “Trees for Streams” community planting in BWG—installing and mulching 300 native trees/shrubs along local stream corridors—via a three-hour volunteer event with hands-on planting and an educational demo on species selection, planting, and care.

Amount Approved
$300.00

Portuguese Cultural Centre of Bradford

Category
Heritage/Civic

Purpose/Details
Funds would be used to upgrade the kitchen dishwasher

Amount Approved
$1,000.00

Simcoe Caribbean Association

Category
Youth

Purpose/Details
Funds will support Afro-centric Saturday School and Etiquette Academy—culturally relevant education, mentorship, and life-skills programming for Black youth (13–21)—while engaging families, strengthening cultural belonging, and building leadership and academic/social readiness across the community.

Amount Approved
$500.00

South Simcoe 4-H Association

Category
Youth

Purpose/Details
Funds will offset 2026 4-H costs by continuing the $20 per-member registration subsidy and providing limited subsidies for youth opportunities (e.g., camps, conferences) tied to sharing learnings—helping keep the program affordable and supporting leadership development.

Amount Approved
$500.00

SWAN Bradford (Successful Women Always Networking)

Category
Community Development (Social Service)

Purpose/Details
Fundraising initiative to subsidize cost of food boxes, allowing more money to go to the Bradford Food Bank. Extra funds will buy more boxes for the food bank or be donated directly

Amount Approved
$200.00

Tecumseth and West Gwillimbury Historical Society

Category
Arts/Culture

Purpose/Details
Supports TWGHS’s 2026 “Global Glamour” Fashion Show at Newton Robinson Hall—two shows featuring traditional attire from ~15 cultural groups, with free cultural refreshments. Grant underwrites two-day hall rental and refreshments; tickets $20, with proceeds supporting future public TWGHS programs.

Amount Approved
$500.00

Terry Fox Run of Bradford

Category
Fundraising

Purpose/Details
Upgrade run signage and course accessories—replacing paper arrows with durable, reusable directional and kilometre-marker signs—to improve wayfinding and participant safety/experience while reducing ongoing costs for future years

Amount Approved
$500.00

The South Simcoe Arts Council

Category
Arts/Cuture

Purpose/Details
Grant funds will support "Arts in Our Community" program operations (admin, online forms/galleries, communications), print materials (posters, signage, labels), volunteer honorariums (gas), and targeted marketing (boosted social posts) to grow awareness, audiences, and participation.

Amount Approved
$1000,00

The Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'i's of Bradford

Category
Community Development (Social Service)

Purpose/Details
Provides a monthly, free community meal at 125 Simcoe Road—one Sunday each month (5–8 p.m.)—prepared and served by volunteer local families, fostering an inclusive, welcoming space and expanding the past year’s bimonthly offering.

Amount Approved
$2100.00

Ukrainian Community of Bradford - UCB

Category
Arts/Culture

Purpose/Details
Supports an open-to-all Ukrainian New Year celebration—covering venue rental, music, and food—to share Ukrainian culture through traditional food, music, and customs and foster community connection.

Amount Approved
$500.00

1.1 The Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury Community Support program is intended to provide limited assistance to Not-for-profit community groups and organizations to assist with programs and events that benefit or contribute to the residents of the Town. This support is in recognition of the value of these groups to the wellbeing and growth of the community and in helping the Town retain a strong community focus

1.2 Each year, as part of the annual budget process, Council will determine the financial commitment to the Community Support Program. This may be supplemented through Town fundraising activities and events.

1.3 This policy establishes eligibility requirements, identifies the types of funding available,
and outlines the application process and reporting requirements.

Types of Support

3.1 Community Grant - The Community Grant Program (CGP) is an annual application and disbursement program for grants of $500 to $5,000. Grants may be made to support programs or events with a fixed start and end date, or for general operating or capital expenses as long as the specific use can be identified and accounted for. Requests may be approved in full, denied, or approved for a lesser value than requested.

Priority will be given to requests that support programs in the following categories: youth/senior, heritage/civic, arts/culture or leisure/tourism.

3.2 Mayor’s Discretionary Funding - Mayor has the discretion to authorize donations less than $500 at any time during the calendar year from funds earmarked during the budgeting process. Eligible requests received by the Grants Committee that fall into this category will be forwarded to the Mayor for consideration, and requests may be approved in full, denied, or approved for a lesser value than requested.

3.3 In-Kind Contributions - Each Town department has the discretion to make in-kind donations from their own department’s resources to a maximum value of $1,000 – including but not limited to the provision of goods or services as prizes and provision of services or use of Town assets for the benefit of the organization. Applications for in-kind contributions should be made a minimum of two months in advance of the required date. Eligible requests received by the Grants Committee that fall into this category will be forwarded to the appropriate Department Head for consideration, and requests may be approved in full, denied, or approved for a lesser value than requested.

Applications and Eligibility

3.4 Eligibility criteria:

1. Only one request per organization will be considered per year.
2. Applicants must be not-for-profit community groups/organizations or registered charitable organizations, and requests will not be considered from or on behalf of individuals. Businesses/individuals that are NOT operating as not-for-profit organizations and that are seeking seed funding, event sponsorship, etc. may contact the Town’s Economic Development Office to discuss funding opportunities.
3. Organizations or groups whose focus is not within the Town will not be considered for grant.
4. The grant should not be the primary source of funding for the organization or activity. Grants are intended to be supplementary to main sources of funding.
5. Grants may not be used to contribute to outstanding deficits. In the event that a recommendation is made to provide funding for a program from which the Town is owed funds, the Town has the right to reduce the recommended grant amount by the amount outstanding.
6. Consideration will not be given to requests for sponsorship/subsidies for individuals or groups to participate in a sports event, or to attend conferences, workshops or other forms of training.
7. Grants/donations are not available to groups that have failed to comply with reporting requirements from previous grants.
8. The granting of financial assistance in any year is not to be regarded as a commitment by the Town to continue such assistance in future years.
9. Retroactive funding will not be considered.
10. The organization must extend its services to the general public in Bradford West Gwillimbury, as per the Ontario Human Rights Code.
11. Organizations from which the Town purchases services or with which it has contracts are not eligible.

3.5 Complete and eligible applications will be reviewed by the Grants Committee using, but not limited to, the following assessment criteria:

3.5.1 Effectiveness - Applicants should demonstrate the expected benefits to the community that will result from the work the grant is to support, and that the work is consistent with the organization’s overall goals.

At minimum, the application must show that the organization:

1. has a clearly stated mandate, mission and objectives and that the program/service/event to be funded is consistent with these;
2. conducts regular reviews of its programs and services to ensure continuing relevance to the community;
3. maintains data on the scope of impact/participation by the community, and volunteer involvement;
4. is operating in a cost-effective manner;
5. is able to deliver programs on a self-sufficient basis.

3.5.2 Accountability - The group making the application must exhibit sound financial and

management practices and respond to the changing needs of the community.

At minimum, the application must show that the organization:

1. follows democratic governance practices and is answerable to membership and public;
2. assures that its members do not stand to personally benefit financially or materially from the program or event;
3. has a positive impact on the community and is able to generate financial support from the community;
4. provides full disclosure of reserve funds and assets, and how funds – including a municipal grant – are/will be spent;
5. operates within an established business plan and/or budget process;
6. actively pursues other sources of funding;
7. provides financial statements if requested;
8. has defined a clear process for measuring program/service/project results specifically with regards to the requested funds.

3.5.3 Objectives – Each applicant will clearly indicate how its proposed program/service/event relates to existing services and/or provides new services to the community. The application will demonstrate how the grants are to be used to enhance the quality of life for the residents of Bradford West Gwillimbury, and that it does not duplicate existing government or volunteer services.

4.1 Applications for any type of community support must include a completed and signed Community Support Program application form.

4.2 Application deadlines:

4.2.1 CGP grants ($500-5,000): the deadline for applications will be October 1 of each year.

4.2.2 Mayor’s Discretionary Fund (up to $500): none – applications accepted and donations made throughout the year based on available funds.

4.2.3 In-Kind Donations (value up to $1,000): none – applications accepted and donations made throughout the year based on available resources.

4.3 Applications that are incomplete or do not meet the eligibility criteria may be rejected at the discretion of the Grants Committee.

4.4 Depending on the amount of the request, or at the request of Council, the following additional documentation must be attached to the application:

4.5 In providing grants, the Town may impose such conditions as it deems fit, including requesting further documentation if required.

4.6 Deputations are not required to support grant applications unless requested by Council.

4.7 Award notification letters will be sent to successful applicants once all applications have been reviewed and funding decisions made.

Administration and Accounting

4.8 Distribution of funds will be made as per the following:

1. The term of a grant shall be for one year only unless otherwise specified.
2. Renewal is not automatic, nor is any annual increase in funds.
3. Recipients will be notified in writing of the grant amount approved.
4. Grants may be awarded with certain terms and conditions. The letter of award will state what, if any, particular restrictions apply to the grant.

4.9 Successful applicants receiving grants of $500 or more may be requested to provide a report on the funded activity by the end of the fiscal year.

The report must certify that funds were spent on the activities described in the application and must also include:

1. A description of the outcome of the activity and an evaluation of its success;
2. Copies of any printed materials and/or publicity generated by the activity; and
3. For grants/donations of $500 or more, or upon Council’s request, a complete and accurate financial accounting of the activity, authorized by a representative with legal or financial signing authority.

4.10 The grant recipient shall repay the whole or any part of the grant, as determined by the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury, if the grant recipient:

1. Ceases operating prior to completion of the project/work/event for which the grant was made;
2. Ceases to operate as a not-for-profit organization;
3. Merges or amalgamates with any other party;
4. Has knowingly provided false information in its grant application;
5. Uses grant funds for purposes not approved by Council;
6. Breaches any of the terms or conditions outlined in this policy; or
7. Breaches any of the provisions of the Ontario Human Rights Code in its operations.

4.11 Any unused portion of a grant remains the property of the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury. If an unused portion of the grant has already been paid to the grant recipient, it shall be repaid by the recipient on request. It is recognized that organizations that receive grant funding may have different year-end periods than the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury and that the funding use will be assessed against the recipient’s year end period.

4.12 Grant recipients wishing to use the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury’s official logo to acknowledge the Town’s financial support must receive the written permission of the Town’s Communications Officer, and must abide by the terms and conditions of the Town’s Logo Use Policy.

Compliance, Monitoring and Review

5.1 The Clerk or their designate is responsible for:

a. Ensuring the policy:

• aligns with relevant legislation, government policy and/or Town’s requirements/strategies/values
• is implemented and monitored, and
• is reviewed to evaluate its continuing effectiveness.

b. Communicating application deadlines, receiving and coordinating the review of applications.

c. Coordinating all aspects of the Grants Committee including but not limited to:

• Agendas
• Minutes
• Correspondence to applicants
• Coordinating the payment of funds from the Finance Division.
• Reviewing reporting requirements.

5.2 The Grants Committee operates as an internal committee and is comprised of the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Director of Finance/Treasurer, Chief Administrative Officer and Clerk, assisted by a staff resource team. The Committee will review all applications based on the criteria outlined in this policy and make recommendations to Council for final approval.

5.3 Senior managers with their respective teams will review In-kind Contribution funding requests as
required to determine their feasibility within operating budgets. Senior managers will report to Council as required in order to request the necessary funds as part of the budgeting process.

Reporting

5.4 No additional reporting is required.

Records Management

5.5 Staff must maintain all records relevant to administering this policy in a recognized Town recordkeeping system and in accordance with Town Records Management policies and procedures.

Terms and Definitions

6.1 Not-for-profit community groups/organizations is defined as a group that operates on a not-for-profit basis that uses their resources for charitable purposes or operates to provide recreation, cultural or social opportunities or enhances environmental or economic opportunities for the residents of the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury.

• Community Grant Application

8.1 Feedback about this document may be provided by emailing the Clerk at clerk@townofbwg.com

8.2 To report suspected instances of noncompliance with this Policy, please see Town’s Complaint Policy.