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Source verified July 31, 2026
Racial Equity Fund
Racial equity and social infrastructure funding
Latest source updateLast Update: July 31, 2026Latest change: The Racial Equity Grants content now includes the 2026 Application Guidelines, adding more detailed eligibility, application process, and review information.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: July 31, 2026
Latest change: The Racial Equity Grants content now includes the 2026 Application Guidelines, adding more detailed eligibility, application process, and review information.
Racial Equity Grants guidelines added
The Racial Equity Grants content now includes the WRCF 2026 Racial Equity Grants Guidelines, which adds a full guideline document alongside the grant overview. This material expands the published eligibility criteria, application steps, review process, tips for applicants, evaluation information, and contact details for the program. The guideline document also surfaces the key dates section and the eligible and ineligible expenses section, so applicants now have more complete instructions in one place.
Funding available
$ 5,000 - $ 30,000
Deadline
Open continuously
Location
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
Overview
The WRCF Racial Equity Grants support organizations in Waterloo Region that are led by Indigenous, Black, or people of colour. In 2026, approximately $250,000 is available for activities that strengthen social infrastructure and advance racial equity.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Develop a new program or service
- Increase social or community impact
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 30,000 $
- Minimum amount : 5,000 $
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Waterloo
- Ontario
Legal structures
- Non-profit
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Other Racialized Persons
- Black Canadians
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Social Services
- Civic and Advocacy Organizations
- Grant-making Foundations
- Diversity and Inclusion
Target groups
- Indigenous peoples
- Minority groups
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- Regional
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Developing, enhancing, or reinforcing activities that bring people together around shared interests and identities in spaces that are publicly accessible
- Create opportunities for meaningful interactions within groups of shared identities
- Leverage programming between two or more organizations that introduces people to new opportunities, skills, and members of the broader community
- Establish or reinforce a network between organizations to increase the level of programming offered overall in community; share resources to augment services; or deliver a wider range of options for people to connect, learn, or have fun together
- Support the enhancement of a shared space that is used by more than one organization with the ability for the enhancement to be linked directly to increased usage
Documents Needed
- Most recent Financial Statement for your organization
- Budget for the activity
- If you are working with a Charitable Partner: Financial Statement of the Charitable Partner
- If you are working with a Charitable Partner: Charitable Partnership Agreement form (signed and completed)
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Registered charitable organizations
- Qualified donees recognized by Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)
- Nonprofit organizations working with a Charitable Partner that is a registered charitable organization or qualified donee
- Grassroots organizations without a Charitable Partner
Who is not eligible
- Municipalities
- Hospitals
- Organizations that operate as a school, including private and public elementary, secondary, or post-secondary schools
Eligible expenses
- People costs (wages, consulting fees, support to staff, etc.)
- Capital costs including space adaptation, equipment purchase, space rental, leasing, and maintenance
- Materials and supplies
- Administration costs, technology costs, printing and communication
- Community outreach and engagement, other activity-related expenses
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Fundraising expenses, including gifts, prizes, and awards
- Funding to individuals
- Endowment requests or deficit reductions
- Political or religious activities
- Research, software development, or activities outside of Waterloo Region
Eligible geographic areas
- Waterloo Region
- Cambridge
- Kitchener
- North Dumfries
- Waterloo
- Wellesley
- Wilmot
- Woolwich
Selection criteria
- Alignment with the Grant Guidelines
- Link to social infrastructure in Waterloo Region clearly articulated
- Activity clearly demonstrates equity and inclusivity, and includes the contributions of the people being served
- Goals of the activity and impact on participants and community are clearly articulated and presented
- Clear, accurate budget that defines what the funds will be used for
How to apply
- Step 1: Review the guidelines and supporting materials
- Read the grant guidelines and application questions.
- Review the budget template and evaluation report requirements.
- Step 2: Prepare required information
- Gather organizational details and financial documents.
- Prepare the activity description, budget, and any charitable partner information if applicable.
- Step 3: Complete the application
- Fill out the online application form on the WRCF Racial Equity Grants page.
- Request a verbal application or translation support by email if needed.
- Step 4: Submit before the deadline
- Submit the completed application and required documents before the closing date.
Processing and Agreement
- All applications must be complete, including all required documents, and submitted by the due date: March 30, 2026 at 3:00 p.m.
- Any applications that are incomplete or submitted after the due date will not be considered.
- Once funding decisions have been made, a member of WRCF staff will call all grant applicants to notify organizations of the grant results.
- If you receive a grant, you will be required to complete a short grant evaluation report that tells us how you used the funds, and the impact you had. The final report is due by September 30, 2027.
Additional information
- The City of Waterloo is partnering with WRCF in 2026 and is contributing funding
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Racial Equity Fund Program
What is the Racial Equity Fund?
The WRCF Racial Equity Grants support organizations in Waterloo Region that are led by Indigenous, Black, or people of colour. In 2026, approximately $250,000 is available for activities that strengthen social infrastructure and advance racial equity.
How much funding can be received?
Racial Equity Fund Funds up to $30,000 of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the Racial Equity Fund program?
To be eligible for the Racial Equity Fund program, you must:
Based in Waterloo Region and focused on providing services for racialized communities in Waterloo Region
Majority of leadership must self-identify as Indigenous, Black, or people of colour
Grassroots organizations without a Charitable Partner must have been providing services to community for more than a year
What expenses are eligible under Racial Equity Fund?
Developing, enhancing, or reinforcing activities that bring people together around shared interests and identities in spaces that are publicly accessible
Create opportunities for meaningful interactions within groups of shared identities
Leverage programming between two or more organizations that introduces people to new opportunities, skills, and members of the broader community
Establish or reinforce a network between organizations to increase the level of programming offered overall in community; share resources to augment services; or deliver a wider range of options for people to connect, learn, or have fun together
Support the enhancement of a shared space that is used by more than one organization with the ability for the enhancement to be linked directly to increased usage
Who can I contact for more information about the Racial Equity Fund?
You can contact Waterloo Region Community Foundation (WRCF) by email at grants@wrcf.ca or by phone at 519-725-1806 x 206.
Where is the Racial Equity Fund available?
The Racial Equity Fund program is available the province of Ontario.
Is the Racial Equity Fund a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Racial Equity Fund is a Grant and Funding