Local Leadership Grant

The Local Leadership Grant supports place-based, resident-led projects that focus on wellness, social inclusion, and the promotion of civic engagement and education across all neighbourhoods. The Local Leadership Grant will prioritize the leadership and participation of Indigenous, Black and other equity-deserving groups within Neighbourhood Improvement Areas and Emerging Neighbourhoods.

Applicants can apply for $4,000. Funds are allocated with specific allotments for each Community Coordination Plan Cluster based on principles of equity, including the number of Neighbourhood Improvement Areas and/or Emerging Neighbourhoods in each cluster.

Project Activities funded through this grant must be implemented between June 1, 2024 and December 31, 2024.

For more information, see Local Leadership Grant 2024 – Grant Guidelines.

Group Eligibility

Applicants must meet all of the following criteria:

1. Applicants must be a resident-led group consisting of at least three members. All group members will need to provide an email address and phone number.
2. Group leads must live within the geographical area of their Community Coordination Plan cluster. To determine which cluster area you live in, see the list below in “Connecting with Your Cluster” section.
3. If you are serving food, one group member must have a Food Handler Certificate or be willing to participate in training to receive a Food Handler Certificate
4. Comply with the City of Toronto’s Grants Policy.

Ineligible applicants include:

1. Groups with all members living in the same household
2. Non-profit organizations
3. Individuals or for-profit businesses or ventures (including BIAs)
4. Political parties
5. Grant-making organizations
6. Industry or trade associations
7. Organizations with mandates from other levels of government (universities, schools, hospitals, etc.)
8. Landlord/tenant and condominium corporations

Note: Local Leadership Grant groups can only submit one application. The first application that is submitted will be the application that is reviewed.

Expense Eligibility

The following list outlines eligible costs:

• Project costs and supplies
• Space rental
• Honorarium for project leaders
• Compensation for Elders and honoraria for People with Lived Experience
• Transportation
• Planning and development
• Developing and supporting partnerships
• Delivery, materials and participant-related costs
• Small capital costs. Note: Contact City staff about any capital cost line items prior to submitting your budget request. Major capital costs are not eligible for funding.  Minor capital expenses (e.g. equipment to support virtual activities, paint supplies for a beautification project) may be eligible, provided City approval and conditional on an incorporated non-profit owning the equipment after the project is completed)
• Evaluation
• Interpretation and translation for events and communications
• Childminding

Requests for the following purposes are not eligible for consideration:

• Fundraising events
• Donations to charitable causes
• Reserve funds
• Major capital costs. Contact City staff about any capital cost line items prior to submitting your budget request. Major capital costs are not eligible for funding. Minor capital expenses (e.g. equipment to support virtual activities, paint supplies for a beautification project) may be eligible, provided City approval and conditional on an incorporated non-profit owning the equipment after the project is completed)
• Debt repayment or deficit funding
• Political or religious activities

Project activities will align with the five priority areas of the Toronto Strong Neighbourhoods Strategy:

• Economic Opportunities:
  • Examples – jobs skills workshop, certification workshop, employment forum
• Healthy Lives
  • Examples – nutrition workshop, wellness day, gardening event
• Participation in Decision Making:
  • Examples – community speak out event, leadership training, civic action forum
• Social Development:
  • Examples – educational workshop/forum, back to school event, neighbourhood festival
• Physical Surroundings:
  • Examples – community beautification event, neighbourhood walking tour, community art event

The Local Leadership Grant will prioritize the leadership and participation of Indigenous, Black and other equity-deserving groups. Learn more about the City’s commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.

Events/Activities must:

• Be held within the geographical area of your cluster
• Be open and free for residents
• Occur in a public and accessible space
• Be a one-time event or a series of events that are completed within 1 month period
• Be held between June 1, 2024 and December 31, 2024

Events/Activities cannot:

• Be connected to a pre-existing agency or City-run program
• Be a reoccurring, established or annual project
• Be private or invitation only

Application Package for 2024

Download the application package below:

• Grant Guidelines
• Application Questions
• Workplan template

Application Process for 2024

1. Review the grant guidelines to ensure your group/organization and proposal are eligible to apply for funding.
2. Attend a grant writing and information session and/or attend one of the virtual youth drop-in office hours should you have any application questions.
3. Develop your answers using the MSWord document containing the application questions, and then cut and paste your answers into the online application system