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Region of Waterloo Upstream Fund

Community-led funding in Waterloo Region

Offered by
Region of Waterloo
Official source: upstreamwr.ca

Source change captured

Funding available
Varies by project
Deadline
Unspecified
Location
Ontario, Canada
Who can apply
Not For Profit organizations located in Waterloo Region.
See full eligibility

Overview

The Upstream Fund supports community-led initiatives in Waterloo Region that align with the Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan. It funds new or expanded projects, programs, and services, related equipment and operating costs, and organizational capacity building or professional development.

At a glance

Funding available

Varies by project

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
  • Strengthen organizational capacity
  • Train or support volunteers
  • Raise awareness or mobilize a population
  • Conduct research or evaluation activities

Eligible candidates

Location
  • Ontario
Eligible Industries
All industries
Annual revenue
All revenue ranges
Organisation size
All organization sizes
Audience
  • Indigenous Peoples
  • Other Racialized Persons
  • Black Canadians
Legal structures
Non-profit
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
Social Services, Civic and Advocacy Organizations, Children and Youth Organizations, Diversity and Inclusion
Target groups
Indigenous peoples
Revenue structures
100% donations / grants
Scope
Regional

Receipt of requests is now closed

Get notified about updates to this grant.

Availability timeline

2026
Periods: 3

Latest changes

Upstream Fund application steps updated

The Upstream Fund page removed the 2026 expression-of-interest deadline and the follow-on funding application instructions.

See more

The Upstream Fund page now no longer shows the 2026 funding process section, including the mandatory expression of interest due April 1, 2026. It also removed the instruction that a final funding application follows the expression of interest. Community collaborative session dates, locations, and RSVP links were also removed from the page, along with the 2025 recipient announcement and recipient list link.

Official source: upstreamwr.ca
September 18, 2026

Eligibility

Who is eligible?

  • Not For Profit organizations located in Waterloo Region.

Who is not eligible

  • For-profit organizations and Social Enterprises.
  • Other levels of government.
  • Public Sector Institutions such as Hospitals, School Boards, Post-Secondary Institutions, Children’s Aid Society, and Community Care Access Centres.
  • Political organizations and organizations whose activities may breach the Ontario Human Rights Code or Charter of Rights.
  • Activities already funded by the Region of Waterloo or other funding agencies, and initiatives with existing Upstream or CCB funding agreements that have not been completed.

Eligible expenses

  • Implementing or piloting new projects, programs, and/or services that align with the fund objectives.
  • Continuing or expanding existing projects, programs, and/or services that align with the fund objectives.
  • Related equipment and operating costs such as space rental, supplies, and events.
  • Related administrative costs such as staffing and benefits.
  • Organizational capacity building or professional development such as board development and staff training.

Ineligible Costs and Activities

  • Capital Construction.
  • Work beyond the scope of this fund.
  • For-profit work.
  • Programs that other levels of government have legislated responsibility for funding, including school board educational programs, public health programs, provincially mandated services or social assistance programs, and health care services.
  • Debt or debt financing, including deficit reduction, depreciation or financing charges, costs incurred before the grant, and work with an existing funding source.

Eligible geographic areas

  • Waterloo Region.

Activities funded

  • Implementing or piloting new projects, programs, and/or services that align with the fund objectives.
  • Continuing or expanding existing projects, programs, and/or services that align with the fund objectives.

How to apply

  • Complete the mandatory Expression of Interest.
  • After submitting an EOI, submit a Funding Application.

Documents Needed

  • Expression of Interest form
  • Funding application form
  • Project plan
  • Budget request

Selection criteria

  • Clarity of the proposed activities and alignment with upstream approaches.
  • Strong fit with Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan priorities.
  • Organizational alignment with reconciliation, equity, diversity, and inclusion.
  • Community impact and relevance to the geographic area served.
  • Reasonableness of the funding request and collaboration potential.

Processing and Agreement

  • The Community Change Committee reviews funding requests and makes funding decisions.
  • Successful applicants sign a Funding Agreement with the Region of Waterloo.
  • An Interim Check-in with the Upstream team is completed before the funding agreement.
  • Final Reports are due 60 days after the funding agreement ends.
  • An Annual Report is required for multi-year recipients.

Contacts

upstream@regionofwaterloo.ca
226-752-4909

Official sources

Region of Waterloo Upstream Fund - Get Involved Today

Program guide

2026 Upstream Funding Model Application GuideAbout the Upstream FundAbout the Upstream Funding Model

Application form

2026+Budget+Request+Upstream Ccb2026+Budget+Request+Upstream Ccbv2Request for Upstream Funding 2026

Supporting document

Upstream Fund Request - Project Plan

Other relevant PDF

1. Do we know what we do? Do we know what they do?
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Frequently Asked Questions about the Region of Waterloo Upstream Fund Program

What is the Region of Waterloo Upstream Fund?

The Upstream Fund supports community-led initiatives in Waterloo Region that align with the Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan. It funds new or expanded projects, programs, and services, related equipment and operating costs, and organizational capacity building or professional development.

Who is eligible for the Region of Waterloo Upstream Fund program?

To be eligible for the Region of Waterloo Upstream Fund program, you must: Initiatives must operate within Waterloo Region. Applicants must be not-for-profit groups with or without charitable status.

What expenses are eligible under Region of Waterloo Upstream Fund?

Implementing or piloting new projects, programs, and/or services that align with the fund objectives. Continuing or expanding existing projects, programs, and/or services that align with the fund objectives. Related equipment and operating costs such as space rental, supplies, and events. Related administrative costs such as staffing and benefits. Organizational capacity building or professional development such as board development and staff training.

Who can I contact for more information about the Region of Waterloo Upstream Fund?

You can contact Region of Waterloo by email at upstream@regionofwaterloo.ca or by phone at 226-752-4909.

Where is the Region of Waterloo Upstream Fund available?

The Region of Waterloo Upstream Fund program is available the province of Ontario.

Is the Region of Waterloo Upstream Fund a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Region of Waterloo Upstream Fund is a Grant and Funding

Who are the financial supporters of the Region of Waterloo Upstream Fund?

Region of Waterloo Upstream Fund is funded by Region of Waterloo, Region of Waterloo Upstream Fund, Sunnyside Foundation