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Racial Equity Fund
Funding for racial equity and community connection
Last Update: May 28, 2026
Funding available
$ 5,000 - $ 30,000
Timeline
- Open continuously
Location
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
Overview
This program provides funding for organizations in Waterloo Region advancing racial equity and social infrastructure. It supports activities that bring people together, strengthen relationships, and build meaningful community connections.
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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 $
Timeline
- Open continuously
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration
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
- Canadians
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Social Services
- Civic and Advocacy Organizations
- Grant-making Foundations
- Diversity and Inclusion
Target groups
- All the groups
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- Local
- Regional
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Activities that bring people together around shared interests and identities.
- Programming that creates meaningful interactions and a stronger sense of belonging.
- Joint programming between two or more organizations.
- Networks or shared spaces that increase community programming and connections.
Documents Needed
- Most recent financial statement
- Activity budget
- Signed Charitable Partnership Agreement, if applicable
- Charitable partner financial statement, if applicable
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Registered charitable organizations
- CRA qualified donees
- Nonprofit organizations with a charitable partner
- Grassroots organizations without a charitable partner
Who is not eligible
- Municipalities
- Hospitals
- Schools, including private, public, elementary, secondary, and post-secondary institutions
Eligible expenses
- Wages and consulting fees
- Space adaptation, equipment, rental, leasing, and maintenance
- Materials and supplies
- Administration, technology, printing, and communication costs
- Community outreach and 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 Waterloo Region
Eligible geographic areas
- Waterloo Region
- Cambridge
- Kitchener
- North Dumfries
- Waterloo
- Wellesley
- Wilmot
- Woolwich
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed after the deadline by the WRCF Racial Equity Grants Committee.
- Only complete, eligible applications move forward for assessment.
- The committee reviews alignment, social infrastructure impact, equity and inclusivity, goals, budget clarity, and expected community impact.
- WRCF staff call applicants to communicate funding decisions.
- If funded, applicants must complete a short evaluation report by September 30, 2027.
Additional information
- Only one application per organization is considered across WRCF’s Arts, Community, and Racial Equity grant streams.
- Applicants may submit a verbal application and may request translation support.
- If funded, a short evaluation report is required by September 30, 2027.
- WRCF reviews applications with an equity lens and may check public communications during assessment.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Racial Equity Fund Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Racial Equity Fund. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.
What is the Racial Equity Fund?
This program provides funding for organizations in Waterloo Region advancing racial equity and social infrastructure. It supports activities that bring people together, strengthen relationships, and build meaningful community connections.
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:
Waterloo Region organizations only.
Led by Indigenous, Black, or POC leadership.
Serving racialized communities.
What expenses are eligible under Racial Equity Fund?
Activities that bring people together around shared interests and identities.
Programming that creates meaningful interactions and a stronger sense of belonging.
Joint programming between two or more organizations.
Networks or shared spaces that increase community programming and connections.
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.
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 Partnering and Collaboration