Kenora & Lake of the Woods Community Foundation
To date, we have granted $5 million to over 60 local registered charities since our inception in 2004.
Thanks to the generosity of donors, our Community Foundation is able to invest in the future of our community through grant making. Our Community Foundation makes grants to a wide range of local charitable organizations, which, in turn, help to strengthen our Community.
How to apply for a grant
Applying for a grant is done in three easy steps: confirm your eligibility, create an account, and fill out an application.
1
Confirm your eligibility
To apply for a grant from the KLWCF your organization and your project must meet specific guidelines.
2
Create an applicant account
From the KLWCF Grant Applicant account portal, you’ll be able to apply for a grant and submit post-grant reports. All your information is saved, making it easier to apply for future grants.
3
Fill out your grant application
After you have set up an account simply log in and choose a grant to apply for (grant application deadlines apply).
Grant eligibility
Eligible applicants
Non-profit organizations that do not have a charitable registration number are not currently able to apply for a grant. To apply for a grant from the Kenora & Lake of the Woods Community Foundation, you must be a qualified donee as per the Canada Revenue Agency. To be eligible, your organization must be one of the following:
- a registered charity;
- a registered Canadian amateur athletic association;
- a registered housing corporation resident in Canada constituted exclusively to provide low-cost housing for the aged;
- a registered Canadian municipality;
- a First Nation performing a function of government;
- a registered municipal or public body performing a function of government in Canada;
- an educational institution; or
- the government of Canada or Ontario.
You may check here if you are unsure if you are a registered charity or qualified donee.
Only registered charities are eligible for grants from the Kenora and Lake of the Woods Regional Community Foundation. Your charitable registration number is a nine-digit number, followed by RR 0001.
Please Note:
Applicants should be aware that meeting the eligibility criteria allows you to apply to the Community Foundation. It does not, however, guarantee that you will receive a grant. If your organization does not receive a grant, it may not reflect the merit of the project; it could depend upon the funds available for the current year.
Eligible projects
- Community Services
- Health & Wellness
- Social Welfare
- Arts & Culture
- Environment
- Animal Welfare
Grants made from the Moffat Family Fund will consider the provision of services for:
- Youth
- Families
To be eligible:
- Organizations must demonstrate a strong and committed board, fiscal responsibility and effective management. An operating budget must be submitted using the online template provided.
- Projects must primarily benefit the people in the catchment area of the Foundation.
- Applicants must establish that there is a need for the project.
- Grants are awarded for specific purposes and for projects covering a definite period of typically one year or less.
- Pilot or demonstration projects must include provisions for evaluation and a realistic plan for fiscal financial viability beyond the pilot stage.
- encourage more efficient use of community resources;
- demonstrate innovative approaches and techniques to impact community issues, and build individuals, neighbourhood and/or community capacity;
- address the root causes of issues in our community;
- promote cooperation and sharing among organizations, eliminating duplication of services;
- promote volunteer participation;
- strengthen an organization’s capacity to be sustainable.
Grants are NOT made to:
- support operating expenses of established agencies or programs
- governments
Grants are NOT made to or for:
- individuals
- annual fund drives
- reduction of mortgages or other debt
- projects already completed at the time of granting
- political activities
- direct religious activities
Grant Applications Outside of Cycle
Out of cycle grants will be considered for exceptional requests that are time sensitive and cannot wait for the Community Foundations’ grant cycle. These grants do not necessarily have to fit the Community Foundations’ grants criteria, but must fall within the categories referenced in KLWCF Grant Guidelines & Processes:
- General Needs of Community
- Health & Wellness
- Social Welfare
- Arts & Culture
- Environment
- Animal Welfare
The application can be initiated by the applying organization, or by Foundation Board or staff who may recognize an opportunity for community leadership.
A letter of interest is required for applications but not necessarily a full application. The Community Foundations’ grant requirements for acknowledging the Foundation will apply. An evaluation report will be required.
The Grants Committee Chair, together with the Executive Director, will manage the process to consider applications outside of the grant cycle. The process will ensure there is a quick response time, consultation with Grants Committee members who may/may not be KLWCF Board Members, and recommendations moved forward for Board approval.
Reference to the out of cycle grant process will be published on the KLWCF website.
If a Grantee applies for and receives an Out of Cycle Grant, this does not affect the Grantee’s eligibility to receive grants through KLWCF’s Granting processes in that same year.
Create an account
Your Kenora Lake of the Woods Community Foundation account will allow you to add and save information about your organization, apply for grants, submit post‑grant reports, and set reminders for grant application deadlines.
Application:
Please review our application guidelines and application forms carefully before submitting your application.
Before you proceed with submitting your application, we encourage you to contact our office:
Phone: 807-467-4427
Email: [email protected]
After you have submitted your application:
You will receive an email confirming our receipt of your application, which will indicate when your application will be reviewed by our Grant Committee. If you do not receive this email, please contact our office.
When a Grant is Awarded:
You are notified promptly of the Foundation’s decision regarding your application. If your application is approved, we send you a letter confirming the grant and providing details about requesting payment.
Before changing your project’s activities or making any changes to the use of funds, please contact the Foundation office. The Foundation’s approval is required prior to changing any use of funds or activities.
When the project is completed:
Upon completion of the project, as per the date stated in the Grant Agreement, we require a Post Grant Report. Copies of all receipts must be available for submission. This final report will give the Foundation and our donors, a clear understanding of what was accomplished with the grant dollars.
Recognition of the Foundation:
If your organization receives a grant from the Kenora and Lake of the Woods Regional Community Foundation, we require recognition, as outlined in the Grant Application and the Post Grant Report.
Deadlines
There are two deadlines each year for grant applications to the Kenora and Lake of the Woods Regional Community Foundation:
March – Moffat Family Fund applications, supporting projects for children and families
March – Lake of the Woods Dream Funds applications, supporting projects for the general needs of the community
September – Community Funds applications, supporting projects for the general needs of the community
All applications must be submitted online, through the website portal at klwcf.ca.
If you would like to confirm a deadline, please feel free to call the Community Foundation office at 807‑467‑4427.