Grant and Funding Programs Offered by The Ballytobin Foundation

The Ballytobin Foundation is a private philanthropic organization established in 1992 by Joan Tobin and the late Brian Michael Tobin. Based in Kingston, Ontario, the Foundation serves as a vital funding bridge between local arts organizations and performance venues, primarily by subsidizing rental costs at The Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts. This enables not-for-profit groups, registered charities, and arts collectives to access professional performance and display spaces that might otherwise be financially out of reach.

Organizations must be located within the City of Kingston with a municipal address. Eligible applicants include not-for-profits, registered charities, or collectives with a history of successful events. Individual artists are not eligible. Priority is given to collaborations among community groups, artists based in Kingston, and events that culminate in public performances or displays at the Isabel. Queen’s University groups are generally ineligible unless they demonstrate significant community outreach beyond the university.

The Foundation provides funding up to $4,000 for events at the Isabel. Events involving two or more community groups may receive an additional $1,000. Funding is paid directly to the Isabel and is non-refundable. Recipients must acknowledge the Foundation in all printed materials and provide six complementary tickets to Foundation members.

The Foundation maintains a Board of Directors drawn from the Kingston community. Applicants receive funding decisions within eight weeks of each deadline. A complete list of past grant recipients is publicly available on the Foundation’s website, demonstrating its long-standing commitment to local arts funding.