Social Sustainability Fund (SSF)

 

Investing in people, ideas and solutions that ignite sustainable community change.

 
 

About

The Community Foundation of Kawartha Lakes (CFKL) is proud to launch the Social Sustainability Fund (SSF), a new annual granting program made possible through seed funding from the City of Kawartha Lakes. The SSF will provide one-time grants of up to $10,000 to local registered charities for community projects that support poverty reduction, housing stability, food security, mental health and addictions, fair labour practices, and inclusive community-building.

 
 

Total Funding Available:

$56k

Maximum Per Project Grant Amount:

$10k

Submission Deadline:

June 25, 2025

 
 

Funds to help address:

Poverty & Housing Supports

(Relief of Poverty, No Poverty, Poverty Reduction, and Housing)

Food Security & Nutrition Supports

(Zero Hunger and Food Security)

Mental Health & Wellness Supports

(Good Health, Mental Well-being, and Addictions)

Equity, Inclusion & Diversity Supports

(Reduced Inequalities and Diversity and Inclusion)

 

Project focus areas:

Projects funded under the SSF must align with one of four primary focus areas; Poverty Reduction & Housing Supports, Food Security & Nutrition Supports, Mental Health, Wellness & Community Belonging Supports, as well as Equity, Inclusion & Diversity Supports. While some initiatives may overlap across categories, applicants must select the one focus area that best represents the primary intent of their project. Each applicant may submit one application per grant cycle.

Organizations are eligible to submit one application as the lead applicant per funding round. Although they may also be named as a partner or collaborator on other applications submitted by different lead organizations.

Recipients of the grant commit to allocating no more than 10% of the budget for Administrative Costs, specifically including: telephone and internet, office supplies, office rent, and supplies / maintenance.

 

A. Poverty Reduction & Housing Supports

Projects in this area aim to break the cycle of poverty, promote economic opportunity, and support housing stability. Funding will support initiatives that improve access to decent work, stable housing, and inclusive supports for vulnerable families.

Examples of eligible activities include:

  • Decent work: Campaigns promoting fair labour practices, living wages, and safe working conditions.

  • Vulnerable Family Support: Programs for low-income or single-parent households and families with children who have special needs.

  • Housing Supports: Initiatives that help individuals obtain and sustain affordable, transitional, or supportive housing—through services such as tenant education, life skills development, shared housing models (e.g., co-living style), and innovative supports like rideshares that reduce isolation and support housing stability.

  • Caregiver Employment Supports: Flexible employment pathways and access to affordable, reliable child care for parents and caregivers.

 

B. Food Security & Nutrition Supports

These projects aim to reduce food insecurity by increasing access to healthy food and empowering individuals with the knowledge and tools to make nutritious choices. Funding will support programs that improve food access, build local food capacity, and promote food literacy in the community.

Examples of eligible activities include:

  • Capacity-Building Initiatives: Community gardens, local agriculture partnerships, or food box programs that support teaching, growing, and distributing food to those in need.

  • Community Access & Consumption: Community kitchens or collective cooking programs that provide regular meals and teach affordable, healthy food preparation.

  • Food Literacy & Nutrition Education: Workshops and school-based programs focused on nutrition, grocery budgeting, food safety, and meal planning—offered in multiple languages where needed.

 

C. Mental Health, Wellness & Community Belonging Supports

This focus area supports initiatives that promote mental well-being, reduce stigma, and foster inclusive, supportive communities—particularly for youth and individuals affected by trauma, addiction, or social isolation.

Examples of eligible activities include:

  • Youth Mental Health & Resilience: Peer mentoring, after-school programs, and inclusive sports or martial arts initiatives that build social-emotional skills and confidence.

  • Community Belonging & Engagement: Intergenerational programs, public wellness events, and inclusive spaces that strengthen social connections.

  • Integrated Mental Health & Addiction Supports: Mobile outreach services, caregiver and recovery support groups, and trauma-informed or mental health first aid training.

  • Inclusive Wellness Activities: Accessible recreational or sports programs for youth with disabilities or other barriers to participation.

 

D: Equity, Inclusion & Diversity Supports

This focus area supports initiatives that advance equity, challenge discrimination, and uplift underrepresented or systemically marginalized groups, including Indigenous peoples, newcomers, LGBTQ+ individuals, and racialized communities.

Examples of eligible activities include:

  • Cultural Empowerment & Allyship: Community events, public art, and sports equity programs that celebrate diverse identities and promote inclusive participation.

  • Equity Education & Anti-Discrimination: Workshops on unconscious bias and systemic racism, and public campaigns addressing hate, stigma, and misinformation.

  • Newcomer & Settlement Supports: Language access services, mentorship programs, and resource hubs connecting newcomers with essential supports.

  • Decolonization & Reconciliation: Collaborative initiatives with Indigenous partners that promote healing, cultural understanding, and systemic change. This may include land-based education, storytelling projects, and organizational reflection activities that uncover and address colonial assumptions within programs, language, and workplace culture.

Who is Eligible to apply?

To be eligible for funding, applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Be a Qualified Donee, such as a registered charity under the Income Tax Act;

  • OR be a nonprofit organization partnered with a qualified donee (e.g., municipality, school, or registered charity) who will act as the primary applicant and steward of the funds.

  • Operate within the City of Kawartha Lakes, with all project activities taking place locally.

  • Be in good financial standing, with externally verified financials (audited or unaudited).

  • Have a governance structure with at least three individuals (e.g., board of directors or management committee) and internal accountability measures in place.

  • Hold a bank account in the name of the organization, with a financial management system and a minimum of two authorized board signatories.

  • The primary applicant must be 18 years of age or older and reside or have an office within the City of Kawartha Lakes.

 

Ineligibility:

  • Funding for awards at an individual level

  • Funding is not to offset funding lost or not available through government sources.

  • Funding to cover deficits or retire debts

  • Funding for sectarian, religious or political purposes. (Religious organizations can apply for projects that support specific equity requirements.)

 

Funding for this grant is provided by the City of Kawartha Lakes, held with the Community Foundation of Kawartha Lakes.