apply for a grant
The Balnar Family Foundation is pleased to announce our current grant cycle.
Eligibility
To be eligible for funding for the 2026 grant cycle, organizations must meet the following criteria:
Legal Status: Must be a Registered Canadian Charity or a Qualified Donee with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).
Note for Non-Profits/Grassroots Groups: If you are applying under a partnership or mentorship agreement with a registered charity acting as your trustee or fiscal sponsor, you must upload all formal partnership documentation and agreements with your application.
Geographic Focus: Must have a strong, demonstrated connection to Guelph and Wellington County.
Funding Exclusions: Must be a new partner to the Foundation. The Foundation is focusing exclusively on new relationships this year; organizations that have previously received funding from the Balnar Family Foundation are not eligible to apply for this cycle.
Strategic Alignment: Must directly support our 2026 Focus Statement (detailed below). Applicants will be required to explicitly explain how their project aligns with this mandate within the application.
2026 FOCUS STATEMENT
This year, the Balnar Family Foundation is dedicating grants to organizations that creatively and positively support at-risk members of the Guelph-Wellington community.
Funding Tiers
To support a diverse range of initiatives, the Foundation will be awarding grants across three distinct tiers:
Tier 1 ($40,000 – $60,000): At least one grant will be awarded at this level.
Tier 2 ($16,000 – $39,000): At least one grant will be awarded at this level.
Tier 3 ($5,000 – $15,000): At least one grant will be awarded at this level.
Key Dates
Applications Open: August 4th, 2026
Applications Close: September 8th, 2026, at 5:30 PM EST
Funding Decisions Announced: Late Fall 2026
How to Apply
To request an application, please email us at: admin@balnarfamilyfoundation.com
Important Submission Notes:
- Authentic Voice & AI Policy: The Balnar Family Foundation values authentic proposals written by the changemakers themselves. Please note that all applications will be screened for AI-generated content; applications with AI-written or AI-generated answers will not be accepted.
- Focus Statement: You will be required to provide a concise focus statement illustrating exactly how your proposed project or initiative aligns with this year's mission.
- Partnership Documentation: If you are operating in partnership with a registered charity to meet eligibility requirements, you must submit all legal and formal partnership agreements alongside your application package.
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