Applicants are to be registered charities or non-profit organizations (including Indigenous groups, churches/faith groups or registered co-operatives). Non-profits must partner with a registered charity to be eligible. Partnerships with the City could be considered to meet this requirement.

Applications will be accepted from Aug. 28 to Sept. 25, 2023. Interested groups should visit this project page on Aug. 15 to complete their online application form. 

Project proposals will be evaluated based on these elements:

• Projects must be implemented within Kingston’s boundaries and be substantially completed within 12 months of receiving financial support. 
• Projects must be tangible and have direct and measurable GHG reductions once the project is fully complete.
• Applicants must monitor the project’s impacts and publicly report results.
• At this time, preference will be given to projects that have direct and measurable GHG reductions and that can also stimulate the economy in the near term. 

Examples of measurable GHG reductions include reduction of fossil fuel use (gasoline, diesel, natural gas, fuel oil, propane) as well as peak electricity demand or a reduction in methane release from organic waste. Carbon sequestration projects such as tree planting or land preservation are ineligible for the KCCAF as there are already numerous similar funding programs in the area.

For fundraising, the Fund may prioritize projects that have sustained impacts (i.e. annual emission reductions vs. one-time impacts) and/or are scalable. Where projects are similar in terms of GHG input, additional co-benefits will be considered (e.g. affordable housing, addressing homelessness, food security, public health).

The project budget should only include costs that are directly linked to, and are essential for, undertaking the proposed initiative. 

Examples:

• Purchase of goods or services essential for carrying out the project
• Fees for professionals, consultants, and contractors performing work specifically for the project
• Advertising to inform public of the project activity and promotional items for participant
• Rental or purchase of equipment essential for conducting the project 

If funding is awarded, all eligible expenditures must be supported by receipts/invoices for submission of final reports for audit purposes.

The following are examples of project expenses that are not eligible under the KCCAF grant program:

• Costs that are associated with ongoing operating costs and not a specific requirement of the proposed initiative
• Expenses already incurred prior to project funding approval by the City
• Scholarships
• Retroactive fees
• Ordinary office supplies, office furniture
• Monthly telephone fees
• Utilities
• In-kind donations or volunteer time
• Salaries of existing staff
• Advertising that is a result of ongoing business activity
• Travel and accommodation costs to attend conferences

Each year in the fall, a Call for Funding Proposals (CFP) will be issued by the City to attract grant applications for the Fund. The Kingston Environmental Advisory Forum (KEAF) will work with City staff to evaluate the applications against the eligibility criteria. A recommendation will then be presented to City Council. 

City staff will prepare a summary of the projects to be posted online and allow donors to select which projects they would like to support. If a donor does not designate funds, they will be distributed equally amongst all eligible projects, or could be used to supplement a grant where one project did not raise sufficient funds from the donor selection process. 

Applicants may require other viable sources of funding to complete the proposed initiative where donations collected do not fully cover all associated costs (see ineligible costs). 

Donations raised will be disbursed to the eligible projects after the completion of the fundraising campaign in early spring each year. Project proponents will enter into a funding agreement with the City summarizing their roles and responsibilities for project implementation. Funding recipients must monitor the impacts of the project and publicly report results. Summaries of the projects will be posted publicly once they are completed.

In situations where funds received are not sufficient to complete a project as proposed and accepted, donations may be reallocated to another eligible project. If an applicant elects not to proceed with a project, funds will be redirected to one of the other eligible projects.

Grant recipients interested in applying for another grant in subsequent funding rounds must complete their initial project, with a final report submitted to and approved by the City, before reapplying.

Grant recipients interested in applying in subsequent funding rounds must first complete their initial project, with a final report submitted to and approved by the City, before reapplying.

In 2018, City Council identified "demonstrating leadership on climate action" as a strategic priority, and the City has said that it will work towards achieving carbon neutrality by 2040.

In July 2020, Council approved the Kingston Community Climate Action Fund (KCCAF) to enable local community members and eligible organizations to become part of city-wide solutions to reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions to make Kingston carbon neutral by 2040.

The Kingston Community Credit Union (KCCU) is a full-service, democratic financial co-operative founded in 1957 and formed by the municipal employees of the City of Kingston. By 1969, KCCU amalgamated with the Kingston General Hospital employees credit union. In 1974 KCCU became an open bond community credit union. As a City partner on the Kingston Community Climate Action Fund, KCCU will match donations from residents dollar for dollar, up to a maximum of $5,000 raised within their branches.  

Once projects are selected, residents will be invited to support the project of their choice by donating through CanadaHelps, the Kingston Community Credit Union and TD Bank.