Apply to the Community Economic Development Funding Program
The annual Community Economic Development (CED) Funding Program provides financial support to selected projects that are anticipated to result in:
Resilient job creation (continuing beyond the funding period)
Business enterprise creation (for-profits and/or social enterprises).
The program endeavours to positively impact historically under-represented segments of the Ottawa population (e.g. residents of lower income neighbourhoods, youth, older adults, rural residents, new immigrants, racialized and indigenous populations, etc.) through financial support to non-profit agencies for new, or expanded, projects that assist targeted residents to overcome identified obstacles to the creation of new jobs and/or new enterprises.
Projects should indicate how the applicant non-profit agency will increase its capacity to support the economic objectives of targeted beneficiaries beyond the funding period. Projects should indicate how targeted populations will be enabled to overcome their identified disadvantages.
The CED Funding Program awards a total of up to $280,000 per year, distributed among the proposals that are selected by a jury panel of reviewers. While proposals may have inherent merits, funds are awarded only among the top-ranked projects, until the annual funding maximum is reached.
Eligibility of Applicant
In accordance with the City of Ottawa Grants and Contributions Policy, funding can only be granted to organizations that meet these requirements and follow these practices:
Registered as a non-profit organization
Operated in a non-discriminatory manner, as set out by the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act
Governed by a democratically elected Board of Directors
Efficient, effective and fiscally responsible (demonstrated through the last two annual financial statements)
In good financial standing with the City of Ottawa
The following types of organizations/programs are ineligible for funding:
For-profit organizations or ventures
Non-profit organizations sponsoring for-profit organizations
Organizations with a political affiliation, or which participate in political activities
Organizations which act primarily as a funding source for other groups
Faith-based organizations where the services/activities include the promotion and/or required adherence to a specific faith
Organizations whose programs fall within the legislated mandate of other governments or City departments
Provincial/national organizations, unless a local chapter/branch exists that serves the residents of the City of Ottawa specifically
Eligibility of Project
A proposed project must demonstrate how it will create jobs in the City of Ottawa while also helping specific under-represented populations to overcome identified impediments. The project must deliver resilient (not temporal) economic benefits that are expected to outlast project funding. Projects that leverage additional funding sources, and/or in-kind contributions, will receive more favorable consideration in their evaluation.
A proposed project must:
Demonstrate how it will positively affect the development of the local economy (jobs, businesses, organizational support capacity, etc.)
Demonstrate how it will help targeted populations that have been historically under-represented in Ottawa's economy to overcome identified economic impediments
Demonstrate the need for grant support from the City
Funding will not be provided for the following components of projects:
Costs that are already supported, or have commitment to support, by other City of Ottawa Departments
Any costs incurred before a funding decision is made
Costs that are the responsibility of another funding program or level of government
Costs that are not directly attributable to the project (e.g. salaried positions not specific to the project)
Land maintenance or leasehold improvements
Programs within the legislated mandate of other governments or City departments (e.g. child care services)
Major costs such as buildings, vehicles, or large equipment;
Direct funding to project participants
How to Apply for Funding
Application Form
All applicants must complete the Community Economic Development Funding Program application form for project funding requests. The application form is available upon request from the CED Program Coordinator ian.scott@ottawa.ca(link opens email application)
Project funding requests may range from $5,000 to a maximum of $100,000. A detailed project plan and budget is required as part of the application. The project plan is a summary of the work to be done and details the goals, activities, outcomes, and resources. The plan should be linked to the budget and include timelines for completion. The purchase of goods and services should ensure value for money and must follow ethical and fair procurement practices. For requests equal to, or greater than $25,000, the project plan should also include detailed budgeted expense items and all sources of funds to be applied. Please note that successful applicants must spend the total awarded funding by November 29, 2024 and submit reporting requirements by December 6, 2024.
The application should be based on a well-developed proposal addressing the assessment criteria given below. Only one application will be accepted per organization. If two, or more, organizations are active in the delivery of proposed services, only one may apply. The other organization may not submit a separate proposal. Completed application forms should be no longer than 10 pages.
Application Deadline
Economic Development and Long Range Planning (EDLRP) will begin receiving CED applications January 2024. When the CED application is received by EDLRP, the applicant will be notified of receipt of the application.
Completed applications and submission packages (e.g. supporting documents listed in the Application Form) must be received in electronic form by email no later than Friday, February 9, 2024 at 4 p.m. Only electronic submissions will be considered (scanned page of signatures accepted). Late applications will not be considered.