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Tag: Summer Camp Grant

NCF’s New Grant Portal

Posted on by ncfadmin

NCF is pleased to announce the launch of our new Granting Portal; making applying, receiving, and reporting on grants a streamlined and simple process. Through one dashboard, applicants can access all grant programs available through NCF, see archives of past grants, and have access to final reports and follow-up steps.

Beyond the simplicity for our grantees, this new portal allows our volunteer grant reviewers to access applications assigned to them with a transparent and templated process for evaluation. This ensures NCF is adhering to the highest grantmaking standards required to maintain our certification with Imagine Canada.

For all applicants, please follow these simple steps to start your application process today.

STEP 1: CREATE AN ACCOUNT

Follow this link and click on “Create New Account” to set up a username and password. In the registration process, you will be asked to provide your organization’s contact information and CRA number. This information will be used to track all your applications, approvals, and grant agreements.

STEP 2: COMPLETE A LETTER OF INTENT (LOI)

Once logged in, you will have access to all available grants through NCF by clicking on the “Apply” tab at the top of your screen. The first step of the application process is completing a LOI. This process determines your eligibility to apply. The LOI does NOT replace your grant consult with JoAnne Krick; required to apply. Instead, this added step provides the needed due diligence to ensure NCF is granting to registered charities and/or qualified donees that meet our granting priorities.

STEP 3: SUBMIT GRANT APPLICATION

After NCF approves your LOI, you will be given access through your dashboard to the full Grant Application. Click APPLY to begin. You can save your work and return to your application whenever convenient.

STEP 4: USER DASHBOARD

Within your dashboard, you will have access to all current, past and approved applications, as well as grant agreements and final reports. NCF’s new portal will make applying for grants a streamlined and straightforward process.

HAVE A QUESTION?

For further information, questions or concerns, contact JoAnne Krick, Director of Grants & Community Initiatives.

Click here to begin.

Niagara Pumphouse

Posted on by ncfadmin

Magic happens when a paintbrush is put to canvas. 

For five Niagara children, that magic was in more than the art they created during weeklong summer camp sessions hosted by the Pumphouse Arts Centre in Niagara-on-the-Lake last year. It was also in the memories they made — memories made possible by a Summer Camp Mini Grant from the Niagara Community Foundation.

The $1,000 gift to the Pumphouse covered the camp costs for those children, aged five to 12, and gave them the chance to paint, sculpt, make prints and other mixed media work inspired by other artists. They also got try their hands at plein air painting — the muse of so many European masters —on the Pumphouse grounds overlooking the Niagara River, and then show off their work at the end of the week in an exhibition that celebrated their efforts. 

Mostly, they got to be kids during a time that fun forgot with the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“We believe in the therapeutic benefit to art-making, especially in these difficult times,” said Rima Boles, Niagara Pumphouse director. “There’s a lot of stress on kids. Participating in creative activities, creating visual art and focusing on creative activities can help in these stressful times.”

One participant discovered he loved painting. Two others, who arrived to Canada two years ago from Syria via Lebanon, got to spend time with other children in their community. The siblings hadn’t been able to attend school in Lebanon and then arrived here just as the pandemic and lockdown living started. 

Their only exposure to other children was virtual, during online learning for school. That made an in-person summer camp experience even more special, Boles said.

“Having the in-studio experience was such an important part, especially for these children to meet new friends and integrate into the community.”

Young Caregivers Association- Summer Camp

Posted on by ncfadmin

Summer camp is a rite of passage for many children in Niagara. For those who are caregivers to members of their family, that time away from home to be a kid and take a break from their day-to-day demands is even more precious.


Summer camp offerings looked a little different last year for the Young Caregivers Association, which typically offers free, week-long day camp experiences to caregiver children throughout the region. There were no trips to the splash pad or pool, no playing at the park. Instead, the camp experience, like much else in 2020, had to go online.


A summer camp grant from the Niagara Community Foundation worth $1,200 made that possible and ensured 72 local children could safely participate in camp activities for a few hours each day, including some with their family members.


The theme for the 2020 edition of Young Caregivers’ summer camp was All Around the World, providing participants with physical activity, social connecting, and learning opportunities. There were cooking classes, talent shows, virtual movie nights and science activities spread over three weeklong camps and 15 additional mini programs for participants in St. Catharines, Niagara Falls, Welland, and Hamilton.


The funding from the community foundation enabled association staff to deliver materials to participants, including camp t-shirts and ingredients for those cooking classes. One delivery even featured water balloon supplies to replicate the splash pad experience at home with family.


“We have very creative staff who get it and get what kids want to achieve, and make it enjoyable for kids,” said Michelle Lewis, Young Caregivers executive director. “It was really staff, with the help of the Niagara Community Foundation grant, who made it happen.”