Grant and Funding Programs Offered by Agape Foundation of London

The Agape Foundation of London is an independent, volunteer‑run charitable foundation created in 1988 from the former Church at Westmount to continue serving the community of London, Ontario. Its core role is to assist in the development of the local community by providing grants and special awards to non‑profit organizations and registered charities. The foundation focuses on initiatives in education, the arts, recreation, social services, health and the environment that improve the quality of life for Londoners.

Agape positions itself as a community‑based funder with a preference for small, grassroots organizations that respond to immediate local needs. It has a particular emphasis on providing “seed money” for new projects, programs and initiatives, helping emerging organizations and ideas get off the ground. Since its founding, the foundation has distributed more than $1.7 million in grants to over 175 organizations across the city.

The foundation offers grants to both new and established organizations. New non‑profits and charities can apply for support with start‑up capital and initial operating costs when they can show their services address a documented community need in London. Established organizations may seek funding for specific capital projects, and in some cases for short‑term operating support where a service would otherwise cease to be available to the community.

Agape only funds not‑for‑profit entities with a Canada Revenue Agency charitable registration number and governance by a board of directors. Supported organizations must provide a clear benefit to residents of London, Ontario, either by being located in the city or by demonstrating a strong London connection and impact.

The foundation maintains a concise set of guidelines to ensure that its limited resources have meaningful local impact. Grants do not exceed $10,000, and successful applicants must wait two years before submitting another request, which helps distribute funding across a broader range of organizations. Agape does not support large capital campaigns, preferring targeted projects and practical interventions.

Transparency and accountability are reinforced through an Impact Report requirement. Organizations that receive funding must submit a report within six months describing project progress, key outcomes and the overall impact of the grant on the organization and the people it serves. Failure to report makes the organization ineligible for future funding.

The foundation runs a periodic call for applications with clearly announced deadlines and review dates. Applicants are asked to complete a grant application form and a summary sheet, compile supporting documents into a single PDF, and submit electronically to the grants committee. Each application is reviewed on its merits by a volunteer board of directors, which aims to align funding decisions with the founders’ original mandate of unconditional community support.

Through disciplined financial management and a focused local mandate, the Agape Foundation of London has been able to leverage the original church endowment into sustained, long‑term support for community organizations, benefitting thousands of people across the city.