The Neighbourhood Activation Fund is a strategic tool to achieve the City’s social, economic and cultural goals. These funding guidelines represent a partnership with community-based organizations that contribute significantly to the goals concerning community capacity, equitable access, well-being, diversity, civic participation and civic cohesion.
The program framework is based on three key themes:
- Create opportunities at the neighbourhood level.
- Connect and strengthen relationships between neighbours by creating more ways to connect and encouraging new and diverse connections.
- Innovate at the community level.
To align with the Waiver of Fees Policy, eligible programs/recipients include:
- A not-for-profit or an organization that operates for the betterment of the community (e.g., neighbourhood association, service club, special interest club and arts/culture groups).
- Classroom education/training specifically designed to improve the skills of volunteers, recreation professionals, coaches and trainers.
- Applicants in good financial standing with the City of Kingston and whose mandate aligns with the City’s priorities.
- Programs and services that are sustainable with appropriate governance/oversight and are open to the entire community.
- Programs and services being offered to the public for free.
The majority of the City’s cultural grants are administered at arm’s length through the City of Kingston Arts Fund (CKAF); however, the Community Development Department can provide financial investments in culture through the Neighbourhood Activation Fund. Funding an applicant’s request depends on the event’s alignment with the City of Kingston Strategic Priority of Fostering a Caring and Inclusive Community.
Impact Report upon completion of the event
Fund recipients will be asked to provide measurable and practical examples of how the needs of your population are better-met thanks to the Neighbourhood Activation Fund. Consider the following questions:
- How many people came to the event?
- Did it make the impact you anticipated?
- Did the project come in on budget?
The Community Development Coordinator will work with fund recipients to complete the Impact Report.
Street-level events - Block parties
Block parties are smaller gatherings of less than 250 people and the primary audience is people who live on the street/in the neighbourhood. The goal of block parties is to foster social cohesion, community connection and create safer communities through low-cost, easy-to-plan activities. Popular activities for a block party can include a BBQ or potluck, live music, games, sports or holiday or cultural celebrations.
Small-scale community events
A smaller neighbourhood-level initiative is a community-driven project designed to engage residents, promote social interaction and strengthen social ties, and enhance the neighbourhood's cultural and recreational landscape. These initiatives are typically low-cost, easy to organize and focused on bringing people together in meaningful ways. Examples include:
- Small scale music and art events: local concerts, ‘open mic’ nights and art exhibits that showcase the talents of neighbourhood musicians, artists and performers.
- Ethnocultural programming: activities and events that celebrate the diverse cultural backgrounds of neighbourhood residents. This can include cultural festivals, traditional dance performances and storytelling sessions that highlight different cultural heritages.
- Neighbourhood celebrations: community gatherings such as holiday celebrations that foster a sense of community and belonging.
Pop-up movie nights
Pop-up movie events supported through the Neighbourhood Activation Fund help to bring diverse communities together by creating welcoming spaces for individuals from ethno-cultural and equity-deserving communities to connect through film. The City’s inflatable movie screen is made available to book for these events and staff provide support through the booking and licensing process.
