On this page
The Community Investment Strategy (CIS) sets the direction for how the City supports community organizations through direct granting initiatives. It brings a clear, consistent approach to funding support that strengthens community wellbeing.
Community organizations play a vital role in Guelph. They help deliver programs, create connections, support residents, and respond to emerging needs. The CIS ensures the City’s investments through direct granting initiatives help sustain and grow this work in a way that aligns with budget, is coordinated, equitable, and responsive.
How the CIS Supports the Community
The CIS focuses on making it easier for organizations to access support while improving how funding decisions are made.
It does this by:
- Providing a more stable funding environment, including improved access to multi-year funding
- Prioritizes strengthening relationship management between the City and community organizations
- Aligning funding priorities with City budget, key strategic initiatives, and community needs
- Creating barrier-free access points for grassroots and equity-deserving groups
Together, these elements help organizations access support, plan ahead, and continue delivering services that matter.
Priorities, Programs and Support
The CIS approach is to support organizations through direct grant initiatives, providing services and/or programs which address at least one of the following priorities. The priorities are viewed as intersectional, recognizing that organizations in Guelph often work across them.
- Equity, Anti-Racism, and Reconciliation: Work that reduces systemic inequities, discrimination, and hate. It also includes work that advances Indigenous rights, reconciliation, and cultural safety, and initiatives led by equity-deserving communities.
- Connection, Expression, and Belonging: Focused on social connection, belonging, participation, creative expression through arts, sport, physical activity, neighbourhood activation that foster dialogue, and storytelling.
- Community Resilience: Initiatives that strengthen health, climate, safety, and access to basic needs, including income, food, housing, supports and services, upstream and prevention, and collaborative initiatives.
The CIS includes a range of grant programs and supports these priorities, including:
- Community priorities grant program supports initiatives aligned with community needs and the CIS priorities.
- In-kind resources program supports organizations regardless of funding status with the City to access (when/if available) gently used items like IT equipment, office furniture, etc.
Program availability, eligibility requirements, funding levels, and application timelines are reviewed through the City’s planning and budget processes and may change over time.
For current funding opportunities, program details, and application information, visit the Community Investment webpage.
Working Together
The CIS is built on collaboration. It reflects feedback from community partners and organizations. It also reflects the City’s commitment to continuous improvement. Aligning investments with community priorities and the City budget, it ensures the City can continue to support organizations in delivering important work now and into the future.
Learn more about the Community Investment Strategy.
For More Information
Alex Goss
Manager of Community Investment
Public Services
519-822-1260 extension 2675
[email protected]