Grants are awarded to local projects that have a direct impact on the people of our community or an indirect impact by increasing the capacity of organizations to initiate and sustain local projects.

Funding through the program will be aligned with the County of Lanark’s strategic priorities and preference will be given to applications that advance the priorities of Council.

For 2025 and 2026 funding, Council has set the following focus areas:

• Tourism and Economic Development
• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

50% of the available funding will be allocated to projects/programs within the focus areas. The remaining funding will be open to projects/programs outside of the focus areas that meet the criteria of the policy.

For any questions regarding the Lanark County Community Grants Program, please contact Megan Beson, Deputy Clerk.

• To cover deficits or retire debts
• To replace current program funding
• To provide endowment funds
• For sectarian, religious or political purposes
• To individuals or for profit businesses
• To provide money for fundraising activities
• To support recurring operating expenses of established organizations or programs
• To fund projects/events that are already completed
• As 100% of a budget activity

Please note that any of the items above, would make an application ineligible.

See the Community Grants Scoring Matrix to see how applications will be scored against the criteria.

To ensure you meet all of the eligibility criteria review the Lanark County Community Grants Program Policy.

Programs and projects must meet the following criteria:

• Merit of funding
  • demonstrates how funding request provides a social, economic or environmental benefit to the County of Lanark, its citizens or taxpayers and/or supports the County’s strategic priorities
  • Aligns with Council’s goals and objectives
  • Community need/demand for proposed activity exists
  • The activities do not duplicate successful efforts that already exist in the community
  • Community support exists through collaboration or partnerships with other organizations
  • Benefits a wide audience
• Applicant profile supports community service:
  • Likelihood of success (has the ability and capacity to complete the activity or service)
  • Experience of the applicant in delivering similar program/service/event/activity
  • Ability of applicant to leverage other funding support, including matching funding from other levels of government
  • Mission of the applicant and volunteer support
• Financial plan and need:
  • Sound financial management and revenue generation (accurate records, realistic and responsible budget, various sources of income)
  • Financial need (leveraging of funds, seed money, inability to fund on their own through resource or alternative revenue generation)
  • Clarity on how the contribution will be used

• Organizations (or sponsoring organizations) must have been in operation for at least one year.
• Eligible organizations can submit only one (1) application per year. Exceptions are made for organizations submitting applications in partnership or on behalf of unincorporated groups.
• Organizations receiving multi-year funding are not eligible to re-apply in a year for which they have been approved for funding.
• Applicants who have previously received a grant must fulfill the reporting portion of the policy to be eligible for future funding.

Value:

For 2025 up to $48,000 in combined funding for multi-year program grants and annual project grants may be awarded.

• Up to a maximum of $10,000 annually for project grants
• Up to a maximum of $50,000 per Council term for program grants

Grant funding results will be communicated to applicants in November following approval of the budget.

Please note:

• The application process is competitive
• There are more grant applications received than there is available funding
• Past funding commitments should not be interpreted as a guarantee that future requests will be approved

• Completed reporting form (available at the link below)
• Support material (i.e. evaluation report, promotional material, photographs or newspaper coverage) uploaded through the reporting form below

Future proposals will not be considered until the final project report is received.

Submit Report