CEF Environment Program

• Board of Directors list
• Staff list
• Most recent audited financial statements; unaudited financial statements are accepted if audited statements are not available or if the request is less than $30,000
• Copy of your organization’s Strategic Plan

Who is eligible?

• Not-for-profit environmental organizations

Who is not eligible

• Groups that do not have an environmental mandate.
• Groups that have not submitted a final report for CEF grants received for previous project(s).
• Foundations, political parties or organizations, for-profit groups and ventures, and individuals.
• Religious organizations except where the applicant demonstrates clear boundaries between religious activities and the budget of the proposed program.
• Organizations whose activities come under the jurisdiction of other departments or agencies of the City of Hamilton or other governments, including school boards, post-secondary institutions, social service organizations, hospitals, and business improvement associations.

Eligible expenses

• Capacity Building: retaining external expertise or consultants to collaborate on a specific capacity building project or program, including fees and travel costs within Ontario; professional development fees and travel for seminars, training sessions, or workshops within Ontario; mentor and job shadowing honoraria and travel costs; fees related to the use of licensed organizational development tools and related costs.
• Capacity Building: staff costs to participate in or coordinate the capacity building program.
• Capacity Building: capital improvement or equipment costs of up to $8,000 that clearly contribute to building the organization’s capacity.
• Projects & Programs: salaries and wages directly related to the project; project administrative costs including insurance, permit fees, and copyright fees; transportation within Ontario to and from program activities; consultants, instructors, and experts’ fees; equipment and facility rentals; materials and supplies directly related to the project.
• Projects & Programs: marketing, promotion, and audience development costs; costs of recruiting, training, supporting, and recognizing volunteers; translation of material aimed at the public or as appropriate for the project; program evaluation activities; capital assets up to a maximum of $2,000 per item if no more than 30% of the total amount of funding provided by the City is used for capital asset costs.

Ineligible Costs and Activities

• Ongoing operating costs, including staff time not directly related to the proposed capacity-building program, and ongoing operations not related to the program.
• Research and publications; capital project planning studies; undergraduate, post-graduate or other academic and professional training that does not enhance capacity.
• Retroactive activities and programs or activities that have already taken place.
• Expenses not directly related to the program or activities that take place outside of Hamilton; purchase of equipment and capital expenses over $2,000 per item and/or not directly related to the project; development of proposals or applications; expenses related to competitions; deficit reduction.
• Alcohol and associated expenses required to provide alcohol; Harmonized Sales Tax (HST).

Eligible geographic areas

• City of Hamilton

• Applications are assessed separately for the two stream areas.
• Capacity Building applications are assessed on Organizational Capacity (40%), Program Merit (35%), and Community Impact (25%).
• Projects & Programs applications are assessed on Organizational Capacity (25%), Program Merit (45%), and Community Impact (30%).
• All applicants must be able to demonstrate good use of public funds.

• Read the City Enrichment Fund Guidelines and the Environment Handbook for details about eligibility and criteria.
• Refer to the Environment Program Application section on pages 9 to 14 to review the expectations for each question.
• Attend an optional workshop led by program staff to learn more about the City Enrichment Fund and Environment Program area guidelines.
• Create an organizational profile and submit application(s) online through the SurveyMonkey Apply platform.
• Upload all relevant attachments and provide any additional information to program staff as requested throughout the application and adjudication/scoring process.

• CEF staff will contact applicants by email or phone to confirm the details in the application and ensure the application is complete.
• If the application receives a passing score above 60%, the score and recommended funding level are presented to the City of Hamilton Grants Sub-Committee for review and approval in spring 2026.
• Successful applicants receive confirmation by email with instructions to receive funding and a timeline for when funds will be released.
• Successful applicants receive a funding agreement, and funding is released after the signed agreement is submitted.
• Recipients must complete a Final Report and submit it to CEF staff by February of the following year, and must acknowledge the City of Hamilton’s support through CEF in program materials and promotion.

• Applicant support and translation services are available.