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Environmental Grants Program

APPLICATION DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 13, 2023 by noon

Our Environmental Grants Program focuses on bringing more partners together in our community to create a collaborative approach to meeting the environmental challenges we are facing.

In 2022, we were privileged to enhance our existing Environmental Grants Program, made possible through a generous gift from Dorothea Thomas Foundation. "Grow Sustainability" NOT "Sustain Growth" is the vision of this new endowment fund at the Niagara Community Foundation. Pooled with other generous funds, the enhanced Environmental Grants Program will impact environmental work across Niagara.

Our Grants Program supports Rural and Urban environment projects. Additionally, we welcome applications from Volunteer Groups and Youth Led Initiatives that meet the eligibility requirements.

Grant Making Priorities

OPTION 1: Retain, reclaim and limit human impact on environmentally sensitive areas. May include:

  • Protect, restore and enhance environmental integrity of the shorelines
  • Protect and/or improve the water of Lake Erie, Lake Ontario and related tributaries
  • Protect, restore and enhance aquatic habitats for fish and wildlife
  • Establish and/or enhance rural and urban space, tree planting/urban canopies which are linked to water quality
  • Provide education and awareness of the above listed priorities
  • Protect, restore and enhance environmental integrity of features in our natural heritage system to build resiliency
  • Protect, restore and enhance wildlife habitat areas and corridors
  • Establish/enhance/restore natural heritage system and the removal of invasive species

OPTION 2: Support “Life Cycle Cost” assessment (environmental and economic) of government and industrial policies and practices.

Grant Assessment Criteria

All proposals will be evaluated on the following criteria:

  • How was the project need determined and what were were the methods used to identify the need?
  • How does the project fit with the priorities of the Niagara Community Foundation?
  • If similar programs are offered within their delivery area, why should the applicant’s program be considered?
  • What is the capability of the applicant to undertake the project?
  • How will the success of the project be determined?
  • How sustainable is the project (if applicable)?

Minimum Governance Practices for Grant Applicants:

Charities applying for grants need to have 8 out of 14 of the following governance practices in place to be eligible to apply for a grant from NCF. This is our first step of any application, ensuring that the charities that we grant to have the capacity to manage and execute on grants received. If a minimum of 8 practices are not in place, a charity is allowed to apply once and the charity is directed to appropriate resources and support to address these gaps.

Eligibility Requirements

The items marked with an asterisk * are compulsory items.
  1. * The organization has written HR management policies that comply, at minimum, with employment, health and safety, and other applicable legislation.
  2. *Does the board approve an annual budget?
  3. Does the board review actual to budget at least twice a year?
  4. *Does the board meet a minimum of 3 times annually?
  5. Are board policies reviewed at least every 4 years?
  6. *Is there a policy that clearly outlines the roles and responsibilities of board and officers?
  7. Are there fixed terms for board members?
  8. Has a strategic plan been developed in the last 4 years?
  9. Does the board annually review progress on achieving strategic plan goals and adjust plan to reflect progress and new opportunities?
  10. *Is ED/CEO performance reviewed annually?
  11. Is a board evaluation undertaken annually?
  12. Is there an interim succession plan in place or being developed in the unexpected changeover in organization leadership?
  13. Is there a conflict of interest policy?
  14. Is there a reserve policy?

All applicants must have a grant consultation with the Foundation prior to submitting an application. This must be done at least 7 days before the grant deadline. Further information is available by calling JoAnne Krick at the Foundation at 905-684-8688 x 23 or emailing to grants@niagaracommunityfoundation.org


GRANT PORTAL

To begin your application process, click the button below to either create a New User Account or Login to an existing account. From your dashboard you will have access to all available grant applications.

Applicants cannot apply for a concurrent grant unless they are part of a collaborative and are in good standing with their open grants to the Foundation.

2023 Application

NCF GRANT PORTAL

Please download the final report and submit to JoAnne Krick by email, grants@ncfnew.wpengine.com .

Final Report Template

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