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The Community Strategic Initiatives Program (CSIP) supports community-led initiatives that advance the Municipality of Port Hope’s Strategic Plan and strengthen the social, cultural, recreational, and tourism vitality of the community.

This program replaces the previous Community Grant Program and moves toward a strategic, outcomes-based funding model. Through CSIP, the Municipality invests public funds in initiatives that demonstrate measurable impact, community collaboration, and alignment with Council-approved priorities.

2026 Program

Application deadline: April 30, 2026 at 4:00 p.m.

Application intake open: Application Form

Funding limit for 2026: Applicants may request up to $10,000.

Question about the application can be directed to Program Administrators.

Program goals, objectives and strategic priorities:

The Community Strategic Initiatives Program is designed to:

Support initiatives that advance Port Hope’s Strategic Plan
Encourage innovation, collaboration, and partnerships
Strengthen community events, culture, recreation, and tourism

Emphasize Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Invest public funds in a fair, transparent, and accountable manner

Applications will be evaluated based on how well projects demonstrate:

Strategic Impact
Advances priorities and objectives within Port Hope’s Strategic Plan.

Public Value & Accountability
Delivers measurable outcomes and responsible stewardship of public funds.

Innovation & Collaboration
Encourages new ideas, strong partnerships, and pilot initiatives.

Community Vitality
Enhances community events, placemaking, culture, tourism, and recreation.

Equity & Inclusion
Promotes accessibility, inclusive participation, and diversity.

Capacity & Sustainability
Builds organizational capacity and contributes to long-term community benefit.

The Municipality of Port Hope values community-driven initiatives that contribute to a vibrant, inclusive, and connected community.

CSIP supports projects that align with the Municipality’s strategic pillars:

Inclusive • Prosperous • Sustainable • Innovative

Projects should demonstrate how they contribute to community vitality through initiatives such as:

Community events and festivals
Cultural experiences and creative programming
Recreation opportunities
Local tourism development
Innovative projects or partnerships
Community- and capacity-building initiatives

Application Intake, Approval Process, and Project Execution

Annual Call for Applications

The Municipality will issue a call for applications once per year on the municipal website and communication channels. Timelines are established based on annual budgeting processes.

Application intake open: April 7, 2026
Application deadline: April 30, 2026

Review Program Objectives and Eligibility

Applicants must review the CSIP guidelines to confirm eligibility before applying.

Projects must take place within the calendar year.

Submit Application

Applications must be submitted using the official application form and include all required documentation.

Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

Application Form

Review and Approval Process

Applications will be reviewed by an internal staff review committee.

Applications will be evaluated using the Evaluation Criteria

Municipal staff reserve the right to contact any applicant for information that requires clarification.

Following review and scoring, funding recommendations will be finalized and all applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application.

The CSIP does not include an appeal process, but applicants may request feedback to strengthen future applications.

Deputations to Council by the applicant are not advised during application intake and review period, as funding decisions are made by staff.

Project Execution and Conditions

Successful applicants must:

Enter into a service agreement with the Municipality
Provide final project budget (if updated from application) and organizational banking
Provide proof of insurance
Provide list of board members, and AGM minutes, if applicable
Work with Municipal staff on event planning requirements where applicable
Comply with municipal policies, permits, and processes

Projects may require consultation with the Special Event Review Process, including submission of site plans, schedules, and emergency management plans.

Projects must be delivered within the calendar year. Successful applicants should provide ongoing communication to the Parks, Recreation and Culture Department with status updates.

Reporting Requirements

Successful applicants must submit a post-project report by the date established in the service agreement.

The report must include:

A summary of project outcomes
Key Performance Indicators
Demonstrated community impact
Financial reporting on how funds were used

Failure to submit required reports will affect eligibility for future funding.

Program Guidelines

Review the eligibility requirements before you begin your application.

Eligible Applicants and Expenses

The Community Strategic Initiatives Program is open to the following applicants:

Registered not-for-profit organizations or charities
Volunteer-based not-for-profit groups operating under a governing board
Informal community groups with a clear community benefit

Projects must:

Align with program objectives and strategic priorities
Take place within the Municipality of Port Hope, within the calendar year
Demonstrate clear public benefit, either through public-facing programming or through capacity-building activities that strengthen community organizations serving the public.
Be delivered by an organization with appropriate governance and financial accountability
Maintain $5 million liability insurance, naming the Municipality as additional insured
Hold a bank account in the organization’s name

Funding may support costs directly related to the proposed project, including:

Event or program delivery costs
Artist, coach, mentor, facilitator or program organizer fees
Venue and equipment rentals
Materials and supplies
Marketing and promotion
Accessibility supports
Insurance specific to the project
Training or workshops that strengthen organizational capacity

Organizations may only submit one CSIP application per year.

Ineligible Applicants and Expenses

Funding will not be provided to:

Political parties or organizations
For-profit businesses
Municipal Committees of Council
Organizations whose primary focus is outside Port Hope
Organizations with outstanding balances owing to the Municipality
Organizations that have failed to meet reporting and outcome requirements for previous grants or agreements
Organizations acting primarily as funding distributors to other groups

Organizations with current Service Agreements in place with the Municipality of Port Hope.

Funding cannot be used for:

General fundraising initiatives
Annual operating expenses (utilities, rent, ongoing salaries)
Retroactive expenses
Alcohol purchases
Prize money, debt servicing or endowments
Capital purchases or assets unless specifically approved
Activities that promote partisan political or religious advocacy

Available Funding

The total funding envelope of this program will be dependent on the annual approval of the Municipal operating budget.

For 2026, applicants may request up to $10,000.

The Municipality may award full or partial funding and may apply conditions to approved funding through a service agreement.

Funding is allocated through a competitive application process. Funding is not guaranteed, and not all eligible applications will receive support.

Funding should not be regarded as a commitment by the Municipality to continue funding in the future.

Applicants may submit one application per year.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to inclusive and accessible programming in accordance with provincial and federal legislation, including AODA requirements.

Applicants are encouraged to consult the Municipality’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy and Anti-Oppression Framework when designing their initiatives.

Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to EDI principles, including the values of Truth and Reconciliation to broaden participation and community benefit.

Projects that engage Indigenous communities or cultural programming should follow appropriate protocols and respectful collaboration practices.

Evaluation Criteria

This scoring system allows applications to be assessed consistently and transparently.

Total Possible Score: 100 Points

Evaluation Criteria
Criteria	Description	Points
Strategic Alignment	Demonstrates direct alignment with the Municipality of Port Hope Strategic Plan priorities and CSIP Program goals.	20
Community Impact	Provides clear and meaningful public benefit to the Port Hope community, including participation, cultural or social value, tourism impact, capacity or community building.	20
Feasibility & Capacity	Demonstrates clear planning, realistic timelines, and the organizational capacity, experience, and resources required to successfully deliver the project.	15
Outcomes & Measurement	Clearly defines intended outcomes and realistic criteria for measuring success, evaluation and reporting.	15
Innovation & Collaboration	Demonstrates meaningful innovation and/or collaboration through new approaches, creative programming, or active partnerships that enhance community impact and delivery.	10
Equity, Diversity & Inclusion	Demonstrates a commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion through intentional design, accessibility measures, and actions that support equitable participation.	10
Financial Responsibility	Presents a reasonable, detailed and cost-effective budget that demonstrates value for municipal investment, and identifies other funding sources or in-kind contributions.	10

Service Agreement & Reporting Requirements

Successful applicants will enter into a Service Agreement with the Municipality of Port Hope outlining funding amount, in-kind contributions, conditions and reporting requirements.

Successful applicants will be required to provide status updates, upon request, throughout the project lifecycle.

Successful applicants must submit a post-project report, by date agreed upon in service agreement, detailing:

A summary of project outcomes
Attendance or participation metrics
Identified Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
Demonstrated community impact
Financial reporting on how funds were used
Any lessons learned

Applicants may also be asked to share any media coverage, survey results, photo and video assets.

Failure to submit required reports will affect eligibility for future funding.

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Community Strategic Initiatives Program

Program goals, objectives and strategic priorities:

Program Guidelines