Social Infrastructure

WRCF defines social infrastructure as the system of shared spaces, experiences, and resources that enable people to connect with each other, the bridges necessary to build trust and civic participation, to create a sense of belonging and wellbeing. It’s the system that enables sustainable widespread community development.

There is growing evidence that social infrastructure is associated with more social cohesion, and an improved sense of belonging and wellbeing. With our region on track to grow to over one million people by 2040, there needs to be a solid social infrastructure in place to “grow our community as our community grows.” If you want to learn more about social infrastructure, WRCF has a section of their website that includes articles, blogs, videos, and other resources for you to access here. 

Thriving communities support the arts.

Waterloo Region Community Foundation (WRCF) established the Arts Grants Fund in 2020 and continues to provide funding through arts-focused grants based on the needs in our community, and indicators of the impact of this fund. 

In 2026, we have approximately $200,000 to be distributed to nonprofit arts organizations in Waterloo Region. In addition, annually, we invite WRCF Fundholders and other partners to financially support this work with us, and more funds may be provided. Last year, with their assistance, we were able to disburse approximately $320,000 to nonprofits through Arts Grants.

The Arts Grants Fund reinforces WRCF’s approach to encouraging self-led activities, with a committee of volunteers from the local arts community approving the grant guidelines, reviewing applications, and determining funding recipients and allocations.

About the 2026 Arts Grants Program

WRCF’s Arts Grants will promote social infrastructure through grants that support shared arts experiences that take place in Waterloo Region, creating dynamic opportunities for meaningful social connection and interaction.

Small to medium-sized nonprofit arts organizations are open to apply for funding that brings people together in meaningful ways to participate in and/or experience artistic programming in community.

The arts activity that your organization applies for will:

• Be able to show the connection between the proposed activity/activities to strengthening social infrastructure locally.

• Ensure that all who attend and/or participate in the experience you have created feel welcome, respected, safe, and accommodated, regardless of who they are, where they come from, or their abilities.

• Where possible, include art that is inspired and/or sourced from a variety of lived experiences.

• Help to move art forward in our community in interesting ways that engage new and varied audiences (this could be through new programming, engaging new partners, showcasing a variety of arts disciplines, creating linkages between different groups in our community, etc.).

See the Arts Grants Application Guidelines, linked below, for more information.

Information Session: Arts Grants

We hosted an information session on March 4, 2026 at 10:00 AM (EST). You will find a recording of the webinar below.