Grants and student awards

We grant to the widest range of charitable organizations and initiatives.

Hamilton Community Foundation grants to the widest range of charitable organizations and initiatives. Grants are made in two ways:

Through open calls where organizations can apply based on specific fund priorities. The open call funds are listed below.

Through matching donor interests and community needs.  If you have a funding need that meets HCF priorities but does not necessarily meet the criteria of the open calls, there may be opportunities to link you to appropriate grants. Please contact us at grants@hamiltoncommunityfoundation.ca.

Hamilton Community Foundation grants to the widest range of charitable organizations and initiatives. Grants are made in two ways:

Through open calls where organizations can apply based on specific fund priorities. The open call funds are listed below.

Through matching donor interests and community needs.  If you have a funding need that meets HCF priorities but does not necessarily meet the criteria of the open calls, there may be opportunities to link you to appropriate grants. Please contact us at grants@hamiltoncommunityfoundation.ca.

Who qualifies?

HCF provides grants for projects that benefit the citizens of Hamilton and by law, grants only to registered Canadian charities and others qualified as described in Section 110 of the Income Tax Act.  On occasion, not-for-profit organizations without charitable status may be sponsored by a registered charity. We also offer community loans to charities, not profits and social enterprises.

Online portal

Log in to the online portal here.

Reporting

For organizations reporting via HCF’s online grants management system, a link to complete the report will be sent automatically to the original applicant. Before working on the report please be sure to read the following guide.

For reporting on grants other than those from the funds listed below, our correspondence advising you of the grant will indicate which one of these two reports you should complete:
Final report – Abbreviated
Final report – General

Recognition guidelines

This link provides direction on recognizing your HCF grant. Please contact us at grants@hamiltoncommunityfoundation.ca if you have questions.

For our student awards, please visit out Scholarship’s & Bursaries page here.

Open call grants

Hamilton Community Foundation provides grants to local programs and organizations that improve the quality of life in our city. Many grants are available through an open-call process for which any qualifying organization may apply. The chart below summarizes the areas of focus for these open-call grants; for detailed criteria, deadlines and application form and report forms process, follow the links.

ABACUS Phase II: Equity, wellness, academic achievement

The goal of ABACUS is to increase the likelihood that young people facing multiple barriers graduate high school and access postsecondary education, by focusing on the pivotal middle-school years.

Application portal is now closed.

Amount available for distribution out to the community:  To be confirmed.
Priorities: Meeting the recreation needs of children living in households with low income, youth at risk and children with special needs. A focus is on providing recreational opportunities, to those who would not otherwise have access.

Grants generally range from
$2,000 – $8,000

Read & apply

Application portal is now closed.

Amount available for distribution out to the community:  To be confirmed.
Priorities: Grants from this fund support and enhance services and facilities offered in the area formerly known as the Town of Dundas.

Grants generally range from
$10,000 – $15,000

Read & apply

Application portal is now closed.

Amount available for distribution out to the community:  To be confirmed.
Priorities: Evidence-informed programs and services designed to support children/youth; families, adults and seniors in Hamilton who are experiencing marginalization, with a focus on stable homes and families, healthy bodies and minds and educational/learning support across the ages.

Grants generally range from
$2,000 – $25,000

Read & apply

Application portal opens: Open now
Application portal closes: Monday, October 7, 2024 – 5:00 p.m.
Amount available for distribution out to the community:  $64,000
Priorities: Environmental protection; projects that assist shelters and hostels address the needs of women and children in crisis; and helping local organizations provide support to clients at Christmas. Preference is given to Hamilton organizations.

Grants generally range from
$1,000 – $5,000

Read & apply

Application portal opens: Open now
Application portal closes: Thursday, October 10, 2024 – 5:00 p.m.
Amount available for distribution out to the community:  $35,000
Priorities: Projects designed to enrich the learning of middle-school aged children that focus on one or all of the following: student achievement; addressing learning loss due to the pandemic; student belonging; and engagement with peers and school community.

Grants generally range from
$100 – $500

Read & apply

Application portal opens: Open now
Application portal closes: Tuesday, October 29, 2024 – 5:00 p.m.
Amount available for distribution out to the community:  $67,000
Priorities: For 2024-25, the fund will consider applications within two focus areas. These are:
1. Supports and Services to improve the quality of life for seniors
2. Mental Health across the ages

Grants generally range from
$1,000 – $5,000

Read & apply