Neighbourhood Activation Fund supports community-led events to encourage connection and celebration

Connect and celebrate with your neighbours with support from the Community Development Neighbourhood Activation Fund. The fund provides individuals, neighbourhood associations, cultural organizations and other groups with financial support to host events that build stronger community relationships and fill gaps in local programming. 

Funding is offered for three types of events: block parties, community-led neighbourhood events and pop-up movie nights. Applicants will work with City staff to ensure their event meets the funding criteria and to determine any eligible costs. Micro-grants ranging from $500 - $2,500 are provided to fund recipients in-kind to offset items such as insurance, road closure signage, facility or park bookings and movie screen rentals. 

"Since the launch of the Community Development Neighbourhood Activation Fund, we've witnessed firsthand its potential to build social capital and strengthen our community,” says Benjamin Leslie, Community Development Coordinator. “Over the last six months, we've facilitated three pop-up movies in parks, five block parties and seven community and cultural initiatives, all aimed at fostering a greater sense of belonging and connection to make everyone feel more included and less isolated." 

The Neighbourhood Activation Fund was launched in 2023 as a pilot project; it is now a permanent program to support the City’s strategic priority to ‘Foster a caring and inclusive community.’ 

Apply now 

Individuals and groups can apply on Get Involved Kingston. If you need the application in an alternate format, please email ContactUs@CityofKingston.ca or phone 613-546-0000. 

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis; funding is available on a first-come, first-served basis each year. Review the funding guidelines and event eligibility criteria on the project page.