Application Guidelines

The 2025 Community Impact Grant Application is open!

We are now accepting applications for the 2025 Community Impact Grant program.

Applications are accepted from July 16th until August 15th.
The application portal will close at 11:59 PM EST.

Grants awarded range in size, but the typical amount is between $10,000 to $25,000. However, larger grants may be considered based on the program’s focus and demonstrated need.

Apply Now

The Community Impact Grant program is national in scope. It is open to registered Canadian charities with a mission that aligns with Ecclesiastical’s values and deeply rooted commitment to helping those in need and supporting our communities to thrive.

This year a special focus will be given to charities with programs dedicated to the following key areas:

Health and wellbeing

Education and job training

Environmental sustainability

Food security

Discover if your charity and program are eligible for funding:

The Community Impact Grant is national in scope, and we welcome applications from:

Registered Canadian charities and non-profits as defined by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) that are able to provide a charitable tax receipt for the grant amount.
Organizations that will utilize the grant to fund a specific program taking place in Canada that is sustainable beyond the period covered by the grant.

We are unable to consider applications from:

Non-registered or de-registered charitable organizations,
For-profit organizations or ventures,
Issue advocacy groups, political organizations, labour organizations, or service clubs,
Grant-making institutions and foundations,
Educational institutions (primary, secondary, college, university),
Recreation or sports teams,
Fundraising event, annual funds, galas, and other special event fundraising activities,
Single individuals,
Retrospective or deficit funding/debt retirement,
Most capital (infrastructure) projects,
Organizations that discriminate,
Applications made within two years of a previous grant or donation from Ecclesiastical Insurance (valued at $10,000 or greater),
Programs taking place outside of Canada.

Woman and her son eating a meal at a soup kitchen

Diverse group of friends out walking and laughing

Submitting your Application

Applications for the 2025 Community Impact Grant must be submitted through the webform by August 15th, 2025, 11:59 PM EST. Once you have started the application, you can save your progress and resume later.

Near the end of your application, declaration and consent must be given by a person from the applicant organization who has appropriate authority (ex. Board Member, Trustee, CEO).

You will also be required to upload the following documents:

A list of the current executive committee/board members
Most recent audited financial statements and annual report
Itemized budget for the program

You have the option to add supporting materials including marketing and audio/visual to strengthen your application.

Assessment Process

Our Community Connect Forum and Community Impact Grant Forum will review applications and submit a shortlist to the Canadian Grant Giving Committee who will select the final recipients.

Each grant application is considered based on the following criteria:

The scale and impact of the program for an identified area of need in the community.
The program’s potential for success and long-term sustainability.
The program’s uniqueness, innovation and creativity.
The organization’s ability to measure results and provide outcomes.
The program’s cost-effectiveness and long-term financial viability.
The program’s diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Some example questions that we consider when reviewing applications are included below:

What is the anticipated scale and impact of the program within the community or geographic region it serves?
Is there a plan for program sustainability beyond the grant period?
Are the program’s goals, potential impact, and expected outcomes clearly articulated?
Does the program duplicate nearby resources and is it unique to standard practice?
Is the program’s approach tailored to the specific needs of the community it serves?
Does the organization measure community benefit and number of lived impacted by the funded program? (i.e. # of people supported, community member stories, post-program outcomes via survey, etc.)
Does the budget clearly allocate grant funds and address administrative expenses?
Is the budget for the program realistic and are there sufficient funding sources to cover the costs?
Is the program specialized or tailored to the needs of a marginalized group?
Is the organization led by or working in collaboration with people with lived experience of marginalization to offer services that meet needs and break barriers?