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CKAF Operating Grants (City of Kingston Arts Fund)

Operating support for Kingston arts organizations

Offered by
Kingston Arts Council (KAC)
Official source: artskingston.ca

Source change captured

Funding available
$ 10,000 - $ 65,000
Up to 30% of project cost
Deadline
Unspecified
Location
Kingston, Ontario, Canada
Who can apply
Incorporated non-profit arts organizations
See full eligibility

Overview

CKAF Operating Grants support a wide range of non-profit arts organizations in Kingston with annual funding from $10,000 to $65,000. The program supports the recipient organization’s operations, programming, and services for the fiscal year ending in 2027.

At a glance

Funding available

Maximum funding
$65,000
Minimum funding
$10,000
Maximum share of project costs
30%
Financing goals
  • Develop strategic partnerships
  • Develop a new program or service
  • Increase social or community impact
  • Enhance an existing program
  • Improve governance or administrative structure
  • Attract or retain talent
  • Strengthen organizational capacity
  • Reach a new target audience
  • Conduct research or evaluation activities

Eligible candidates

Location
  • Kingston
  • Ontario
Eligible Industries
All industries
Annual revenue
All revenue ranges
Organisation size
All organization sizes
Audience
All groups
Legal structures
Non-profit
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
Culture and Arts
Target groups
Artists / creatives
Revenue structures
100% donations / grants
Scope
Local

Receipt of requests is now closed

Get notified about updates to this grant.

Availability timeline

2026
Periods: 3

Latest changes

CKAF Operating Grant guidelines now visible

The CKAF Operating Grants page now shows the detailed 2026 guidelines, including eligibility and application requirements, rather than only referring applicants to the guidelines document.

See more

The CKAF Operating Grants content now includes the full 2026 Operating Grant Guidelines, with detailed eligibility rules such as the two-year non-profit arts organization requirement, Kingston location and delivery expectations, and the requirement for first-time applicants to book a consultation by Thursday, 23 April 2026. The updated guidelines also spell out the application package and review requirements, including the financial statement thresholds for applications of $30,000 or more and the rule that a CKAF request should not exceed 30% of the applicant’s prior-year revenue or expense totals.

Official source: artskingston.ca
July 31, 2026

Eligibility

Who is eligible?

  • Incorporated non-profit arts organizations
  • Professional, semi-professional, and emerging arts organizations
  • Arts organizations in Kingston

Who is not eligible

  • Organizations that do not have arts mandates.
  • Organizations that directly deliver curriculum-based education, such as a school, or are based on the pursuit of a postsecondary diploma or degree.
  • Organizations based on fundraising or building awareness for a third party, such as a charitable cause or political movement, focused on religious practice, or the goal to change religious belief.
  • Commercial, for-profit businesses.
  • Organizations already receiving funding from the City of Kingston through other sources including grants or Service Level Agreements, and organizations seeking operational funding with mandates primarily focused on the delivery of arts festivals should apply through the new CKAF Festival grant stream.

Eligible expenses

  • General operating costs for the organization’s operations, programs, and services

Ineligible Costs and Activities

  • For significant capital purposes such as purchase or renovation of buildings and/or major equipment.
  • Furthering a for-profit venture or to advantage a for-profit partner.
  • Fundraising or recovering the costs of an organization’s financial deficits.
  • Programs or services delivered by an organization aligned with any political party or religious group.

Eligible geographic areas

  • Kingston
  • Nearby areas, including First Nation or Indigenous communities, may be considered eligible at the discretion of the Kingston Arts Council in consultation with the City of Kingston, provided the majority of their activities occur within the City of Kingston.

Activities funded

  • Operations, programs and/or services of non-profit arts organizations in Kingston.

How to apply

  • Review the 2026 CKAF Operating Grant Guidelines.
  • Book a consultation with KAC staff to assess eligibility for the program if you are a new applicant.
  • Review the detailed application instructions and application checklist before submitting to ensure all required materials are included.
  • Submit all application files by email to Grants@ArtsKingston.ca in one (1) email.
  • If the attachments are too large, send them as a ZIP folder.

Documents Needed

  • Application Form (signed)
  • Budget Form
  • Statistics Form
  • Programming From (Previous Year Program List and Request Year Program List)
  • Board of Directors and Staff Lists
  • Year-End Financial Statements
  • Supplementary Material (5 pieces)

Selection criteria

  • Artistic Mandate
  • Artistic Programming and Service Quality
  • Impact and Benefit to Kingston Residents
  • Financial Management and Viability
  • Leadership, Administration, and Governance

Processing and Agreement

  • CKAF Operating Grant applications are assessed based on the criteria outlined below.
  • In preparation for adjudication, jurors assign each of the assessment criteria below a score on a scale of 1 to 5.
  • Applications are reviewed by a jury of artists and arts professionals.
  • Results are expected on Wednesday, 8 July 2026.

Additional information

  • CKAF Operating Grants are usually expected to be renewable grants, based on the assessment and decision-making provisions outlined in the CKAF Framework.
  • Applicants may use AI technologies to compose written materials for their applications, but the submission of supplementary materials generated by AI is prohibited.

Contacts

grants@artskingston.ca
613-546-2787

Official sources

CKAF Operating Grants - Kingston Arts Council

Program guide

CKAF 2026 Operating Grant Guidelines

Application form

Ckaf 2026 Operating Grant Budget FormCkaf 2026 Operating Grant Programming FormCkaf 2026 Operating Grant Statistics Form 1Submission Instructions

Supporting document

Ckaf 2026 Operating Grant Board And Staff List
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Frequently Asked Questions about the CKAF Operating Grants (City of Kingston Arts Fund) Program

What is the CKAF Operating Grants (City of Kingston Arts Fund)?

CKAF Operating Grants support a wide range of non-profit arts organizations in Kingston with annual funding from $10,000 to $65,000. The program supports the recipient organization’s operations, programming, and services for the fiscal year ending in 2027.

How much funding can be received?

CKAF Operating Grants (City of Kingston Arts Fund) Funds up to 30% of admissible expenses, capped at $65,000 per project.

Who is eligible for the CKAF Operating Grants (City of Kingston Arts Fund) program?

To be eligible for the CKAF Operating Grants (City of Kingston Arts Fund) program, you must: Incorporated non-profit arts organization Based and active in Kingston At least two years of arts programming

What expenses are eligible under CKAF Operating Grants (City of Kingston Arts Fund)?

General operating costs for the organization’s operations, programs, and services

Who can I contact for more information about the CKAF Operating Grants (City of Kingston Arts Fund)?

You can contact Kingston Arts Council (KAC) by email at grants@artskingston.ca or by phone at 613-546-2787.

Where is the CKAF Operating Grants (City of Kingston Arts Fund) available?

The CKAF Operating Grants (City of Kingston Arts Fund) program is available the province of Ontario.

Is the CKAF Operating Grants (City of Kingston Arts Fund) a grant, loan, or tax credit?

CKAF Operating Grants (City of Kingston Arts Fund) is a Grant and Funding