The City of Kingston is committed to supporting innovative ideas that enhance our rural communities. The Kingston Rural Community Program Fund is a pilot program that will offer up to five $5,000 grants to help local organizations and partnerships create or enhance events, cultural activities, recreational products and beautification projects that will attract both residents and visitors.
Apply Now
Ready to take your idea to the next level? Fill out the application form below!
Eligible Projects:
The project must be a new or enhanced experience located in rural Kingston (see map).
New event creation: Festivals, concerts, sporting events. (eg. seasonal festivals, pumpkin smashing contest, outdoor rink hockey tournament, local music concert, gardening and local food talks at elementary schools, etc.)
Event enhancements: Upgrades to existing events.
Recreational activities: Trails, cycling routes, nature walks. (eg. cycling event, creation of a new nature group or event, rural trail hike, etc.)
Cultural initiatives: Art shows, performances, multi-cultural events. (eg. history talks about the neighbourhoods, farm talk with local farmers, local art show at a park, etc.)
Community beautification: Gardens, repurposed spaces, clean-ups. (eg. creation of new community gardens, addition of benches, etc.)
Tourism Products: Themed tours, unique visitor experiences. (eg. guided community history tours, farm tours, on-farm dinner or lunch event, etc.)
Eligibility:
Eligible Applicants:
Community groups, new or existing (eg. 4-H Club)
Community partnerships (multiple residents working together)
Festival and event organizers
Volunteer organizations
Business partnerships (multiple businesses working together)
Ineligible organizations and requests include:
Regular, ongoing operational expenses or salaries
Charitable contributions
Groups or events that are discriminatory, endorse businesses, encourage illegal activity, compromise public safety, fundraising, express political views or violate City bylaws, policies or procedures
Municipal governments are not eligible to apply
Individuals and individual businesses are not eligible to apply
Any groups receiving other City of Kingston grants (City of Kingston Arts Fund, City of Kingston Heritage Fund, Community Investment Fund, Neighbourhood Activation Program Fund, etc.) are not eligible for the Rural Community Program Fund within the same calendar year.
Grant Details
Up to five applicants will be selected to receive a grant. Successful applicants will be notified on May 1.
Fund Amount per project or event: Up to $5000
Applications are reviewed by City staff and the Rural Kingston Advisory Working Group.
Projects must be completed by December 31, 2025.
Applications that have not received prior funding will be prioritized
Application Process
Complete the application form, providing detailed information about the project idea, budget, timing and purpose.
Submit the completed application along with any required supporting documentation by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, April 21, 2025.
Selection Process
City staff and the Rural Kingston Advisory Working Group will screen all applications, assess proposals and vote based on the project's relevance and alignment with the Kingston Rural Economic Development Strategy and Council Strategic Priorities. If successful, organizations will sign a funding agreement with the City.
Projects are assessed on:
New or enhanced experience
Uniqueness and authenticity
Impact on rural Kingston’s community
Feasibility and collaboration with partners
Potential to attract out-of-town visitors
Strong consideration given to applicants with matching funds or propose a collaborative partnership component to the event or project
Accountability and Reporting
Successful applicants must provide detailed reports on the use of funds and project progress, ensuring transparency and alignment with community goals.
Successful applicants are required to:
Sign a funding agreement with the City of Kingston outlining the terms and conditions for receiving funds.
Report back to the Manager, Rural Economic & Community Development, City of Kingston, within 30 days following the completion of the project on the use of the funds and outcomes of the project or event achieved.
Permit the City of Kingston to verify/audit the information submitted, at the discretion of the City of Kingston, to ensure the funds were used for the purpose(s) intended.
Agree that if the funds were not used, or fully used, for the intended purpose(s), specified services were not delivered or intended outcomes were not achieved, the City of Kingston has the right to recover the funds granted immediately.
Obtain in writing the City of Kingston’s approval for any change to the proposed project or event, once an original approval has been given. Comply with all federal, provincial and municipal laws and regulations, e.g. environmental approvals, zoning bylaws, building codes, etc.
The City of Kingston is committed to supporting innovative ideas that enhance our rural communities. The Kingston Rural Community Program Fund is a pilot program that will offer up to five $5,000 grants to help local organizations and partnerships create or enhance events, cultural activities, recreational products and beautification projects that will attract both residents and visitors.
Apply Now
Ready to take your idea to the next level? Fill out the application form below!
Eligible Projects:
The project must be a new or enhanced experience located in rural Kingston (see map).
New event creation: Festivals, concerts, sporting events. (eg. seasonal festivals, pumpkin smashing contest, outdoor rink hockey tournament, local music concert, gardening and local food talks at elementary schools, etc.)
Event enhancements: Upgrades to existing events.
Recreational activities: Trails, cycling routes, nature walks. (eg. cycling event, creation of a new nature group or event, rural trail hike, etc.)
Cultural initiatives: Art shows, performances, multi-cultural events. (eg. history talks about the neighbourhoods, farm talk with local farmers, local art show at a park, etc.)
Community beautification: Gardens, repurposed spaces, clean-ups. (eg. creation of new community gardens, addition of benches, etc.)
Tourism Products: Themed tours, unique visitor experiences. (eg. guided community history tours, farm tours, on-farm dinner or lunch event, etc.)
Eligibility:
Eligible Applicants:
Community groups, new or existing (eg. 4-H Club)
Community partnerships (multiple residents working together)
Festival and event organizers
Volunteer organizations
Business partnerships (multiple businesses working together)
Ineligible organizations and requests include:
Regular, ongoing operational expenses or salaries
Charitable contributions
Groups or events that are discriminatory, endorse businesses, encourage illegal activity, compromise public safety, fundraising, express political views or violate City bylaws, policies or procedures
Municipal governments are not eligible to apply
Individuals and individual businesses are not eligible to apply
Any groups receiving other City of Kingston grants (City of Kingston Arts Fund, City of Kingston Heritage Fund, Community Investment Fund, Neighbourhood Activation Program Fund, etc.) are not eligible for the Rural Community Program Fund within the same calendar year.
Grant Details
Up to five applicants will be selected to receive a grant. Successful applicants will be notified on May 1.
Fund Amount per project or event: Up to $5000
Applications are reviewed by City staff and the Rural Kingston Advisory Working Group.
Projects must be completed by December 31, 2025.
Applications that have not received prior funding will be prioritized
Application Process
Complete the application form, providing detailed information about the project idea, budget, timing and purpose.
Submit the completed application along with any required supporting documentation by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, April 21, 2025.
Selection Process
City staff and the Rural Kingston Advisory Working Group will screen all applications, assess proposals and vote based on the project's relevance and alignment with the Kingston Rural Economic Development Strategy and Council Strategic Priorities. If successful, organizations will sign a funding agreement with the City.
Projects are assessed on:
New or enhanced experience
Uniqueness and authenticity
Impact on rural Kingston’s community
Feasibility and collaboration with partners
Potential to attract out-of-town visitors
Strong consideration given to applicants with matching funds or propose a collaborative partnership component to the event or project
Accountability and Reporting
Successful applicants must provide detailed reports on the use of funds and project progress, ensuring transparency and alignment with community goals.
Successful applicants are required to:
Sign a funding agreement with the City of Kingston outlining the terms and conditions for receiving funds.
Report back to the Manager, Rural Economic & Community Development, City of Kingston, within 30 days following the completion of the project on the use of the funds and outcomes of the project or event achieved.
Permit the City of Kingston to verify/audit the information submitted, at the discretion of the City of Kingston, to ensure the funds were used for the purpose(s) intended.
Agree that if the funds were not used, or fully used, for the intended purpose(s), specified services were not delivered or intended outcomes were not achieved, the City of Kingston has the right to recover the funds granted immediately.
Obtain in writing the City of Kingston’s approval for any change to the proposed project or event, once an original approval has been given. Comply with all federal, provincial and municipal laws and regulations, e.g. environmental approvals, zoning bylaws, building codes, etc.
Thank you for filling out an application for the Rural Community Program Fund! If you have any questions or would like to fill out this application form by email, please contact Tracey Snow at tsnow@cityofkingston.ca.
The application period closes on April 21, 2025.
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