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Grants

For Good. Forever.

We’re here to help you help!

The Sunset Community exists to support local charities and community organizations with great ideas for improving our community. We are committed to trust-based granting as a way to ensure an equitable and inclusive distribution of funds. Trust-based granting recognizes that we work in partnership with our grant applicants, grantees, and other stakeholders to deliver maximum impact in our communities.

We offer grants in the following areas of interest:

  • Children & Youth
  • Family & Community
  • Health & Physical Activity
  • Education
  • Social Services & Low Income Impact
  • Preservation of the Environment
  • Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging
  • Arts & Culture

Grant are available to qualified donees (as defined by the Canada Revenue Agency).  Not sure if your organization is eligible? Ask us! We provide leadership in the community by helping organizations shape and fund innovative projects that enrich all our lives.

see a list of all our grants to date

Grants

PLEASE NOTE PROGRAM SERVICE AREA:

Each Sunset Community Foundation Fund Group is designed to support a specific geographic area. To be eligible, your program must clearly demonstrate a direct benefit to residents within the area served by the fund you are applying to, respecting donor intent.

For example, applications to the South Huron Funds, Bayfield Funds, and the Huron Entrepreneur Fund (HEF) (deadline: April 1) must benefit residents within those respective communities. Similarly, the Greater Grand Bend Area Funds (deadline: September 30) are intended exclusively for programs that serve residents of the Greater Grand Bend Area.

While some programs may have a broader reach, priority is given to those that show a meaningful and measurable impact within the specific community tied to the fund. Applicants are encouraged to clearly outline how their program serves local residents, including any relevant data such as the number of individuals impacted, geographic reach, and community outcomes.

This geographic focus ensures that each fund remains true to donor intent and continues to strengthen the communities it was established to support.

Annual Application Deadlines:

  • Apr 1st: South Huron Community Funds
  • Apr 1st: Bayfield Community Funds
  • Apr 1st: Huron Entrepreneur Fund (HEF)
  • Sep 30th: Greater Grand Bend Community Funds

Application Form

Click Here

Grant Guidelines

Our Grants Program focuses on building community capacity in our region. We look for creative projects that build on existing strengths and competencies and address community needs. Organizations seeking funding must demonstrate fiscal responsibility, good management, and commitment to our region.

Eligibility & Granting Restrictions

Grants may be awarded only to registered charities and other qualified donees, as defined by the Canada Revenue Agency.

Non-profit organizations that are not qualified donees may still be considered by partnering with a qualified donee that shares similar goals and will take responsibility for the grant.

The following restrictions apply:

  • Grants will not be used to establish or add to endowment funds
  • Grants will not be used to establish or add to operating reserves
  • Grants will not support projects whose primary purpose is to promote religious or political activities

Applications can only be submitted following a consultation with the Executive Director.

This can be done by a phone call to 519-280-0944 or email or book a zoom call here:

lisa@sunsetcommunityfoundation.ca

Book A Zoom Call

Application Form

Click Here

Tips for Completing the Application

  • Begin by discussing your project with Lisa Reaume, Executive Director of SCF.
  • If your organization is not a qualified donee, ensure that you are partnering with an organization that is. You will need to enclose a Partner Agreement Form with your application to be eligible.

Partner Agreement Form

Click Here
  • In describing your organization, consider the following questions
  • What is your mission and vision?
  • Who do you serve?
  • What staff do you have and what are their qualifications?
  • Who is on your Board of Directors?
  • Include your most recent audited financial statements and Annual Report, if available.
  • In describing your project, consider the following questions:
  • What is the outcome you are expecting?
  • How will it benefit the region?
  • What need does the project meet?
  • How is your project innovative?
  • What public support is there for your project?
  • How many people will be affected by your project?
  • Are you working with other organizations that address similar issues?
  • How will your project be evaluated?
  • In developing your project budget, consider the following questions:
  • What expenses are specific to this project?
  • By what date are the funds needed?
  • What other funding sources do you have or are you pursuing?
  • How will you ensure the project is sustainable when the funding is complete?
  • Who in your organization is responsible for the project and what qualifications do they have?

Application Form

Click Here

The Grant Review Process

  • Grant applications are due according to each specified fund agreement or Community Advisory Committee (CAC) Timelines. Be sure to submit your application by the appropriate deadline. Late submissions will not be considered.
  • Complete one application per project (multiple project applications accepted).
  • Charity to indicate residents served (both generally as well as for this specific project) by defined geographies (such as municipalities or by postal code) with percentages.
  • Indicate areas of interest served with the project.
  • Community Advisory Committee Members review and decide on recommended grant recipients within four weeks of application deadline. The committee leverages an assessment matrix to complete the review process.
  • The Community Advisory Committee works with fundholders of Donor Designated Funds to ensure their input is considered, ideally through an advocate on the committee.
  • The Community Advisory Committee provides final recommendation to the Sunset Community Foundation Board of Directors for approval.
  • The SCF Executive Director notifies all charities within 7 weeks of application deadline.
  • Successful applicants sign a Grant Agreement, outlining the conditions pertaining to their grant, prior to receiving the grant cheque.
  • Grant Activity Changes: Grantees are requested to notify the SCF Executive Director in writing (via email) immediately if they are unable, for any reason, to complete the funded activity as described in the application. The Community Advisory Committee will then review the situation and determine any appropriate next steps.
  • By accepting a grant, charities agree to allow SCF to use their name, logo, program information, and grant details in its marketing and promotional materials.
  • The Community Advisory Committee will host local Grant Awards at their discretion.
  • Progress Reporting: Until the granted program is complete, grantees are to submit status reports using the Project Evaluation Form by the specified deadlines (e.g., August 30 and February 28, aligned with the grant distribution date). Please note that failure to submit these reports may impact the charity’s eligibility for future funding.

Project Evaluation Form

Click Here
SHARE THE RESULTS OF YOUR PROJECT

When we fund a project, we like to know what happened as a result. It helps us refine our granting process and lets us talk to our donors about the impact we are having in our community. It may also help us when we come to consider another grant application from your organization.

 

In your Project Evaluation, the grantee will share the followings:

  1. Was the project a success? How do you know?
  2. How many people were affected by the project? In what geographic areas?
  3. How was your grant expended?
  4. What plans do you have to sustain this activity?
  5. Why was the Foundation support helpful to your organization?

Please submit photos, videos or other materials if available in your Project Evaluation Form.