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The fall application window for the 2023 Recreation & Sport Community Grant is open until October 6 at 4:30pm.
The purpose of the Recreation and Sport Community Grant Program is to provide funding support for programming, events, workshops, activities, and facilities which focus on building participation and engagement in recreation and sport to enhance the broader health and well-being of the community.
On February 15, 2023, City Council approved an upward limit of $300,000 in funding for the Recreation and Sport Community Grant Program to provide money to eligible sport or recreation organizations for programs, events or capital improvements.
Funding Streams
Stream 1: Programming & Events
The Programming & Events funding stream provides funding to support new or innovative recreational and sport programming opportunities (including special one-time events, public workshops, or activities).
Stream 2: Capital Improvements
The Capital Improvements funding stream provides funding to support capital projects that build capacity in recreation and sport initiatives which engage more residents and/or provide better access to recreation and sport. This funding is designed to contribute to major asset purchases or improvements such as building renovations and upgrades, infrastructure repairs and improvements, major equipment purchases including installation, and major purchases or upgrades to technology systems.
How to Apply
The application window for the fall 2023 program is open from September 18 to October 6. All application forms are available via APLI, the City's online application portal. Please read the Fall 2023 Recreation & Sport Community Grant Guidelines.
Evaluation
All applications are examined in the context of the City’s strategic goals, the assessment criteria and program priorities. Applications are evaluated, using a scoring matrix unique to each stream, by an adjudication panel comprised of City staff from Recreation & Culture Services, Finance, and Economic & Creative Development departments, as well as a representative from Tourism Barrie. Each year, the composition of the adjudication panel may change as deemed necessary.
Guiding Principles in Administering Funds
The awarding of funding to successful applicants through the Recreation and Sport Community Grant is guided by three key principles:
| Health & Well-being of Residents | The betterment of the physical and mental health and wellbeing of the community will be used as a guiding principle in evaluating applications. As such, applicants will be encouraged to show how their proposal supports the health and wellbeing of residents as measured by the application’s positive impact on the social determinants of health established by Public Health Canada. These determinants include personal health practices and coping skills, education, healthy child development, social environments, gender, and culture. |
| Inclusiveness & Diversity | This principle aims to ensure that all populations within the City of Barrie are provided improved access to recreational and sport activities. Successful applications must have, as one of their goals, improved access to these opportunities and services that support betterment of their health and general well-being. Consideration will be given to the breaking down of accessibility barriers for under-served and marginalized populations within the City. |
| Innovative & Collaborative Thinking | This principle’s goal is to encourage applicants to collaborate in new and innovative ways with other organizations in the development and delivery of recreational and sport opportunities. Applicants will be encouraged to deliver existing, emerging, and new opportunities for recreation and sport using innovative methodologies and outside-the-box thinking. |
Operating at Arm’s Length
The grant process operates at arm’s length from all political levels of government in awarding funds. It has full authority to make funding decisions within the priorities reflected in City Council’s strategic objectives of Growing Our Economy and Fostering a Safe and Healthy City. Funding decisions are directed to supporting and building capacity within recreation and sport as stated in the grant’s purpose. This ensures that decisions made are based on maximizing the benefit to the broader health and well-being of the community which will ensure fairness, transparency, and accountability.
Spring 2023 Funding Recipients
The first window for applications for the 2023 program spanned March 13 to March 31, 2023. The funding recipients represent a wide cross-section of recreational and sport activities designed to engage Barrie residents in various ways with the end result of improving overall health and well-being.