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Source verified July 6, 2026
Community, Youth & Cultural Funding Program
Municipal funding for community, youth, and cultural projects
Latest source updateLast Update: July 6, 2026Latest change: The Operating & Sustaining Grants now allow individual applicants, add a 22% cap and $40,000 annual maximum for Operating Grants, and clarify Sustaining eligibility after 5 consecutive years of funding.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: July 6, 2026
Latest change: The Operating & Sustaining Grants now allow individual applicants, add a 22% cap and $40,000 annual maximum for Operating Grants, and clarify Sustaining eligibility after 5 consecutive years of funding.
Operating grants eligibility and funding limits updated
The 2027 Operating & Sustaining Grants page now says organizations and individual applicants can apply, and the Operating Grant criteria add an incorporated, non-profit organization requirement. The Operating Grant terms also add a 22% cap and a $40,000 per year maximum, while Sustaining eligibility is clarified as requiring City Council approval after 5 consecutive years of funding. The application materials still request a Budget Statement, most recent financial statements, a Strategic/Business Plan, and organization statistics, but the Budget Statement now points to a new 2027 template location in the portal.
Funding available
$ 40,000
Deadline
October 23, 2026
Location
Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada
Overview
The City of Thunder Bay’s Community, Youth & Cultural Funding Program supports incorporated non-profit organizations with operating and sustaining funding. It helps eligible organizations in Thunder Bay deliver quality programs or services, maintain community need, and support self-sufficiency, partnerships, and strategic alignment.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Increase social or community impact
- Enhance an existing program
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 40,000 $
- Up to 80% of project cost
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Thunder Bay
- Ontario
Legal structures
- Non-profit
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Persons with Disabilities
- Other Racialized Persons
- Black Canadians
- Rural or Northern Residents
- 2SLGBTQI+
- Youth (<40)
- Women
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Culture and Arts
- Sports
- Other Recreation and Social Clubs
- Mental Health and Crisis Intervention
- Social Services
- Emergency and Relief
- Income Support and Maintenance
- Environment
- Economic, Social and Community Development
- Employment and Training
- Civic and Advocacy Organizations
- Children and Youth Organizations
- Diversity and Inclusion
Target groups
- General public
- Children & youth
- Young adults
- Indigenous peoples
- New immigrants & refugees
- Women & girls
- LGBTQ+ community
- Artists / creatives
- Nonprofits / charities
Revenue structures
- Mixed revenue (<50% earned)
Scope
- Local
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Special one-time community projects and activities
- Training and development activities
- Seed funding for new organizations
- Community-based arts or heritage projects
- Youth, culture, and community service programming
Documents Needed
- Budget Statement
- Financial Statements
- Organization's Strategic or Business Plan
- Organization Statistics
Official resources
Program guide
Application portal
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Incorporated non-profit organizations
Who is not eligible
- Organizations acting as a funding body for others
- Organizations that primarily benefit members instead of the general public
- Organizations requesting capital or deficit funding
- Organizations already funded under the Operating or Sustaining category for project grants
Eligible expenses
- Employee compensation and development
- Rent, insurance, utilities, and maintenance
- Non-capital equipment and supplies
- Legal, accounting, and similar fees
- Marketing costs
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Capital expenses
- Deficit funding
- Continuing operating expenses for project grants
- Personal-use equipment for individual members
- Equipment that becomes part of the physical plant or structure
Eligible geographic areas
- Thunder Bay, Ontario
Selection criteria
- Application completeness and prior contact with program staff - 5 points minimum to continue
- Project plan and description - 10 points
- Demonstrated need and community impact - 25 points
- Financial information and use of funds - 10 points
- Organizational capacity - 5 points
How to apply
- Step 1: Review program guidelines
- Check the grant category and focus area.
- Confirm the application deadline.
- Step 2: Prepare the application
- Complete the online application form.
- Prepare the required attachments, including financial and planning documents.
- Step 3: Submit through the portal
- Upload the application and supporting documents in the City of Thunder Bay portal.
- Submit before the deadline.
- Step 4: Await review and notification
- Applications are reviewed by the City.
- Funding recommendations are sent by email.
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed after submission by City administration representatives and, for operating grants, community representatives.
- Recommended funding levels and terms are submitted to City Council for consideration.
- Applicants are notified by email of the recommendation and appeal process.
- Approved organizations may need to sign a service agreement for multi-year funding.
- Post-project or post-term reporting may be required.
Additional information
- Applicants should contact a program supervisor before applying for project funding.
- Applications are submitted through the City of Thunder Bay online portal.
- Funding recipients may be asked to acknowledge the City’s support using its corporate logo.
- Organizations may apply in one category per funding term.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Community, Youth & Cultural Funding Program Program
What is the Community, Youth & Cultural Funding Program?
The City of Thunder Bay’s Community, Youth & Cultural Funding Program supports incorporated non-profit organizations with operating and sustaining funding. It helps eligible organizations in Thunder Bay deliver quality programs or services, maintain community need, and support self-sufficiency, partnerships, and strategic alignment.
How much funding can be received?
Community, Youth & Cultural Funding Program Funds up to 80% of admissible expenses, capped at $40,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the Community, Youth & Cultural Funding Program program?
To be eligible for the Community, Youth & Cultural Funding Program program, you must:
Incorporated non-profit organization
Ongoing presence in Thunder Bay
Track record of quality programs or services
What expenses are eligible under Community, Youth & Cultural Funding Program?
Special one-time community projects and activities
Training and development activities
Seed funding for new organizations
Community-based arts or heritage projects
Youth, culture, and community service programming
Who can I contact for more information about the Community, Youth & Cultural Funding Program?
You can contact City of Thunder Bay by email at grants@thunderbay.ca or by phone at 807-632-2485.
Where is the Community, Youth & Cultural Funding Program available?
The Community, Youth & Cultural Funding Program program is available the province of Ontario.
Is the Community, Youth & Cultural Funding Program a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Community, Youth & Cultural Funding Program is a Grant and Funding