Mayor's Community Development Fund

The Mayor's Community Development Fund (MCDF) is a community development fund offered by the Town of Whitby to support local community groups, events, and initiatives that will benefit the community. If you have any questions about the MCDF, send an email to our Staff Advisor or call 905.430.4338. 

The Performing Arts Community Development Fund (PACDF) has been fully allocated and the funding stream is now closed.

MCDF Community Grants 

The Mayor's Community Development Fund (MCDF) offers funding to local initiatives in our community through Lead Grants up to $25,000 and community grants up to $5,000.

The funding is raised through two events, The Mayor's Gala and the Mayor and Council's Golf Tournament. Up to 50% of the proceeds raised by the fundraisers will be awarded to a Lead cause or charity. The balance will be awarded in smaller community grants.

MCDF Lead Grants are causes or organizations identified as the primary beneficiary of the Mayor and Council’s Golf Tournament and Mayor’s Fundraiser through grant funding of up to 50% of the funds raised to support a major community initiative (capital or program) benefiting the community. Lead Grant applications are reviewed once a year with an application due date of March 31.

MCDF Community Grants are up to $5,000 and are accepted on a continuous basis and reviewed monthly.

If you apply, you can also request one of the following silent auction item packages:

• Whitby/Brooklin Retailer Gift Basket ($150 value)
• Whitby Recreation Gift Certificate ($250 value)

How To Apply

Complete our online application forms if you wish to apply for the MCDF:

If you have any questions about how to apply or what you need to be eligible, send us an email or call 905.430.4338.

You will be contacted if you have been selected or not within two months of sending the application.

Final Report

If you are selected, you must submit a final report within 30 days after you complete your event. In this report, please state the outcome of the initiative or event and how the grant was used. This helps us evaluate your initiative and if the grant made an impact for your event and strengthened the quality of life for our community.

Evaluation Criteria

Community groups and not-for-profit organizations that serve the Whitby community are eligible to apply. Applications are evaluated based on their relative merit and funding in one year.  It does not guarantee that you will receive funding for a similar initiative or event in the following year.

This is a competitive process as overall funding is limited and funding requested by organizations may be decreased or declined.

When you apply for one of our community development funds, we evaluate your application on:

• How the project will benefit the community (scale, inclusivity, direct and indirect benefits)
• Soundness of business plan (including resources, own funds and fundraising)
• The importance of the Town's contribution
• How the success of the project will be determined

We give higher priority to:

• Community focused projects, activities and events with a strong local presence;
• Projects that promote social inclusion and civic engagement within the Whitby community
• One-time events that promote the Whitby community are supported
• Capital expenditures that have a direct benefit to the Whitby community
• Proposals that demonstrate a partnership between two or more community organizations, activities do not unnecessarily duplicate successful efforts that already exist in the community as well as where applicants contribute in the form of financial or in-kind contributions to the grant request
• New initiatives, but a promising program may receive more than one grant provided there is evidence that the program is developing successfully

We give lower priority to:

• The purchasing of tables at award ceremonies, galas or fundraising events
• Providing funding for ongoing operating costs of an organization or charity
• Submissions seeking support for a charitable event for another charity
• Initiatives being supported through other sources and programs
• Initiatives that set a precedent and equitable funding is not sustainable
• Funding for sports groups or organizations

In-Eligible Applicants:

• For-profit organizations
• Religious organizations for religious purposes
• Political parties
• Organizations engaged in political activity supporting or opposing any political party, or political campaign
• The intent of the organization is contrary to Town policies, by-laws, the Ontario Human Rights Code or current legislation
• Organizations whose purpose or activities are for the purposes of bringing about change in law or government policy

Recommendations for Organization Size

If you're part of a larger organization that reaches beyond the Whitby community, we recommend seeking similar proportionate grants from other benefiting sources. Periodically, special consideration for an individual or group within Whitby may be required, and the Committee has the ability to consider this based on the above criteria.

Grant receipts

Copies of receipts for grant-related expenses are not required to be submitted, but per CRA requirements, they should be kept for your own records. You may be requested to repay funds if the actual expenses are less than the approved grant.

Grants Review Committee

The Grants Review Committee reviews applications for both MCDF and PACDF and is responsible for awarding grants based on criteria and available funds. The Committee consists of five members of public appointed by Council, the Mayor and a supported staff advisor.

Funding Policies and Procedures

To ensure the funding is distributed in a fair and transparent manner, we have established policies and procedures for the MCDF and PACDF.

• Mayor's Community Development Fund and Performing Arts Community Development Fund Policy
• Mayor's Community Development Fund and Performing Arts Community Development Fund Procedure

Mayor's Community Development Fund Recipients

Annual reports

To keep track of how our community development funds are impacting the community each year, we provide annual reports to document funding updates and recommendations. 

• Community Development Funds 2023 Annual Report
• Community Development Funds 2022 Annual Report
• Community Development Funds 2021 Annual Report
• Community Development Funds 2020 Annual Report
• Community Development Funds 2019 Annual Report

Contact us by email at CommunityFunds@whitby.ca for a copy of older reports.