Donations to WRCF are invested in endowment funds, and the income generated is distributed through grants to support charitable causes.

WRCF does not offer funding through multi-year grants because we provide grants based on the income generated from the previous year’s investment activities.

Grants are distributed in two ways:

1. Fundholders make funding decisions based on their own preferences.

2. WRCF manages annual grant streams open to applications and reviewed by volunteer committees.

We do not make payments to individuals. Payments are made to a bank account in the organization's name.

Open grants are listed in the “Granting” drop-down menu on the WRCF website. Each grant page has the application link and specific information to help you apply for that stream.

Depending on the specific grant stream, charitable organizations  and nonprofit organizations located in and serving Waterloo Region residents are eligible. Municipalities, universities, schools, and hospitals are ineligible to apply for most of our grant streams.

Each grant stream has specific requirements that will be detailed in the grant guidelines. These can change year to year, so we suggest you review the new guidelines before applying.

No. There are ineligible activities and expenses listed for each grant stream. Through our grant streams, WRCF generally will not fund research work, direct religious activities, terrorist activities, and other activities that explicitly exclude others or cause harm.

Grant requirements are specific for each grant stream, but generally, applying organizations will need to submit a budget, recent financial statements, and a charitable partner agreement form if applicable.  WRCF includes information on each grant stream page to help applying organizations know what will be required.

A charitable partner is a qualified donee, according to CRA guidelines, that works with a nonprofit organization without charitable status, as part of its own charitable work. As a nonprofit without charitable status, having this type of partnership allows your organization to work on initiatives with your charitable partner, with them receiving funds on behalf of the initiative you are working on together.

Unfortunately, WRCF cannot be a charitable partner as it represents a conflict of interest. WRCF is also unable to initiate a charitable partner relationship between two organizations. CRA has developed guidelines for organizations to work together on initiatives, including the role a charitable partner needs to fulfill to accept funding on behalf of another organization. The determination of organizational alignment and ability to work together is best developed between the two organizations.

Successful organizations typically have one year to execute the project, after which time they must submit an evaluation report. The evaluation report outline is provided for each grant stream when the grant opens for application.

WRCF provides accessible learning resources including the option of verbal applications, translation services, and recorded information sessions. We also provide all supporting documents (including Grant Guidelines, outline of Application questions, budget template) for you to review before you apply.

Email the Community Impact team at grants@wrcf.ca.

Visit the Waterloo Region Apply website.

WRCF follows professional, ethical, and legal standards, aligned with our values, and expects the same from its partners and funded organizations. By applying for funding, you confirm that your organization meets the legal and regulatory requirements to serve your community responsibly.

Recognition is appreciated but should align with your organization’s values. Please use the Recognition Guidelines and logos provided with your grant notification if you are recognizing a grant received.

Yes, WRCF pays a living wage and encourages grant applicants to request enough funding to do the same.