Closed
Source verified August 2, 2026
CEF Communities, Culture & Heritage Program
Supports community identity in Hamilton
Latest source updateLast Update: August 2, 2026Latest change: The grant content now includes a new CEF appeals process with eligibility rules, a June 15 to July 10, 2026 application window, and a July 15, 2026 due date.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: August 2, 2026
Latest change: The grant content now includes a new CEF appeals process with eligibility rules, a June 15 to July 10, 2026 application window, and a July 15, 2026 due date.
CEF appeals process added
A new CEF appeals process is now visible, including applicant support, a dedicated appeals guidelines document, and a new appeals application form path through the grant portal. The appeals process states that 2026 appeal applications are due by 4 pm EDT on July 15, 2026, with submissions open June 15 to July 10, 2026 and review results expected from mid-July to mid-August 2026. The new appeals rules specify who may apply, including applicants who submitted in the original intake period and received a B, C, D, or DNQ rating, while A-rated applications and prior-year or repeated appeals are ineligible. The appeals process also introduces a separate funding envelope of $50,000 across all applications and requires applicants to explain the extenuating circumstances behind the appeal.
Funding available
$ 100,000
Deadline
Closed
Location
Hamilton, Canada
Overview
CEF Communities, Culture & Heritage Program supports incorporated not-for-profit organizations, charities, and unincorporated groups with not-for-profit goals and governance structure in Hamilton. It funds activities that strengthen community identity through events and established activities, new projects, and capacity building.
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At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop a new program or service
- Increase social or community impact
- Enhance an existing program
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 100,000 $
- Up to 30% of project cost
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Hamilton
Legal structures
- Non-profit
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Culture and Arts
Target groups
- All the groups
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- All dimensions
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Events and established activities that create opportunities for participation in and celebration of community identity
- New projects that increase public access to cultural experiences, expressions, and content
- Capacity building strategies, organizational development projects, and professional development initiatives for cultural organizations
Official resources
Program guide
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Incorporated not-for-profit organizations
- Charities
- Unincorporated groups with not-for-profit goals and governance structure
- Not-for-profit cultural organizations
Who is not eligible
- For-profit organizations and ventures
- Religious activities and religious organizations
- Political parties
- Hospitals
- Individual artists or collectives for the CCH program area
Eligible expenses
- Supplies, fees, and expenses for artists, artisans, demonstrators, and performers of cultural and heritage activities
- Volunteer costs, including training, food, non-alcoholic beverages, and distinctive clothing
- Logistical, production, and technical requirements, except for alcohol related costs
- Marketing, promotion, audience development, administration, insurance, and evaluation
- Policing and security costs, except for those costs related to alcohol, and road closure expenses
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Ongoing operations not directly related to the project
- Day-to-day collections management activities not directly related to the project, such as acquisitions, conservation, accessioning or deaccessioning, cataloguing, inventory, photography, and digitization of collections
- Purchase of equipment not directly related to the project, minor capital items exceeding $2,000, and development of project proposals or applications
- Website development projects linked to in-house operations and not related to the project, alcohol and associated expenses, and creation, production or distribution of souvenirs
- Expenses related to competitions, awards, bursaries, grants, prizes, scholarships, and activities or project components outside the city of Hamilton
Eligible geographic areas
- Hamilton
Selection criteria
- Events & Established Activities are assessed on Organizational Capacity (30%), Program Merit (40%), and Community Impact (30%).
- New Projects are assessed on Organizational Capacity (40%), Program Merit (40%), and Community Impact (20%).
- Capacity Building is assessed on Organizational Capacity (50%), Program Merit (40%), and Community Impact (10%).
- Applications are rated A, B, C, or D, and applications scored D are not recommended for funding.
How to apply
- Review the CEF General Guidelines and the program-specific CCH Handbook.
- Attend an Information Session or Drop-in Q&A session.
- Contact your Program Manager with any questions and/or to discuss your program.
- If returning to CEF, contact your Program Manager to receive the application feedback from the previous year’s adjudication.
- Complete the application, budget, and support material in the CEF SMA Grant Portal.
- Submit the application by November 15 at 4 pm.
Processing and Agreement
- Submitted applications are assessed and scored by adjudication teams made up of City staff and external community members.
- Final ratings are determined through the assessment process.
- Funding recommendations are based on the available CEF budget and final ratings.
- Results and funding recommendations are presented to the Grants Sub-Committee and Council for approval.
- Successful applicants receive a funding agreement, and funding is released following submission of the agreement.
Additional information
- The program includes three funding streams: Events & Established Activity, New Projects, and Capacity Building.
- All programs funded through the Communities, Culture & Heritage Program support Hamilton’s community vision, Our Future Hamilton.
Contacts
Other components of this program
Explore related funding streams and grants that belong to the same program.
- CEF Agriculture ProgramFunding for agriculture community initiatives
- CEF Appeals ProcessAppeals review for City Enrichment Fund applicants
- CEF Arts ProgramSupports Hamilton arts organizations and artists
- CEF Community Services ProgramStrengthens Hamilton human services capacity
- CEF Digital Program – Digital Equity Initiatives StreamSupports digital equity and inclusion initiatives
- CEF Environment ProgramFunds environmental initiatives in Hamilton
- CEF Sport & Active Lifestyles ProgramSupports Hamilton sport and active living projects
Frequently Asked Questions about the CEF Communities, Culture & Heritage Program Program
What is the CEF Communities, Culture & Heritage Program?
CEF Communities, Culture & Heritage Program supports incorporated not-for-profit organizations, charities, and unincorporated groups with not-for-profit goals and governance structure in Hamilton. It funds activities that strengthen community identity through events and established activities, new projects, and capacity building.
How much funding can be received?
CEF Communities, Culture & Heritage Program Funds up to 30% of admissible expenses, capped at $100,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the CEF Communities, Culture & Heritage Program program?
To be eligible for the CEF Communities, Culture & Heritage Program program, you must:
The organization’s head office must be located within Hamilton.
The program must take place within the city of Hamilton.
The applicant must meet the program area and stream-specific eligibility criteria.
What expenses are eligible under CEF Communities, Culture & Heritage Program?
Events and established activities that create opportunities for participation in and celebration of community identity
New projects that increase public access to cultural experiences, expressions, and content
Capacity building strategies, organizational development projects, and professional development initiatives for cultural organizations
Who can I contact for more information about the CEF Communities, Culture & Heritage Program?
You can contact City of Hamilton by email at grant.coordinator@hamilton.ca or by phone at 289-260-8119.
Where is the CEF Communities, Culture & Heritage Program available?
The CEF Communities, Culture & Heritage Program program is available across Canada.
Is the CEF Communities, Culture & Heritage Program a grant, loan, or tax credit?
CEF Communities, Culture & Heritage Program is a Grant and Funding