Each project must support one or more of the following grant theme areas, with examples provided to spark your creativity because you know best what your neighbourhood needs: 

Connect residents in marking Canada's 150th.

Some ideas include sharing stories of Canada including our First Nations History, community picnics, block parties or potlucks, sidewalk chalk murals, random acts of kindness or social learning sessions such as learning about Canadian history or culture.

Build community pride and strengthen a neighbourhood

Some ideas include historical neighbourhood tours, neighbourhood, park or ravine cleanup, a neighbourhood talent show or fitness challenge or learning from a local expert such as an arborist, local artist or police officer.

Respect history and diversity

Some ideas include a multicultural fashion show, a newcomer storytelling project, a potluck featuring childhood favourites, an online neighbourhoodphotobook or learning sessions such as elder care, education and your child.

If your project is going to take place on neighbourhood streets, or a public park or other public space please consider that projects must follow municipal by-laws and regulations.  Applicants are responsible for obtaining appropriate permits and applicable liability insurance prior to your project start date.

Our eligibility criteria are designed to ensure this grant supports a diverse range of community-focused projects:

• You must be a current resident of the City of Markham.
• Each project must have two applicants. One of the applicants must be 18 years of age or older. The two applicants must live at different addresses in Markham. The project must take place within your own neighbourhood.
• These grants are specifically for individuals and small volunteer-based neighbourhood/community groups, such as Boy Scouts, Girl Guides, School Councils, Ratepayer Groups, and adopt-a-park groups.  Active Celebrate Markham grant recipients, registered charitable organizations, businesses and City Councillors and Staff (and their immediate families) are not eligible to apply.
• Your project must take place between May 19 and December 31, 2017.  The grant money must be spent by December 31, 2017.  

A successful application should consider and address the following requirements:

1. Each project should clearly describe how it fits into the Grant Theme Areas and how it will build relationships amongst neighbours as part of Canada’s 150^th anniversary celebration or observance.  Preference for funding may be given to unique or new projects that increase engagement of our residents. 
2. The City of Markham will accept one application per individual or volunteer-based community group.
3. Your project must be free and welcoming to all. We encourage applications for projects that are accessible to people with disabilities and inclusive of a wide variety of participants.
4. You may not charge entrance fees or fundraise for other projects and/or organizations as part of your project. However, seeking donations or gifts in kind from residents and local businesses to help support your project is permitted.
5. Festival-style events are expected to focus on a specific neighbourhood. Projects that are part of festivals must demonstrate an activity within the event that helps residents to develop or strengthen relationships.
6. Large capital projects, such as the building and maintenance of public playgrounds or the purchasing of computer equipment, are not eligible.
7. You are required to comply with applicable by-laws, regulations, and permit requirements, and to obtain proper insurance, where necessary. 
8. You must begin your project after the grant decision is made. Projects are not supported retroactively.
9. You may not profit financially from your project.
10. The City of Markham will post a list of projects funded by this grant on its website and suggest other promotional channels, as appropriate.
11. For communication, continuous improvement, and accountability purposes, all grant recipients will submit project photos and complete a simple post-project report.

Please consider the following when calculating your project budget:

• Grant requests are expected to be $500 or less.
• Grant money may be used to pay people a small fee to thank them for their services to help with the project (also called honorariums). An example may be a carpenter or a face painter. Total honorariums may not be more than $100.
• Grant money cannot be used towards costs relating to fireworks, bonfires, or alcohol.
• When creating a project budget, you should determine the actual cost of items to be used, and think resourcefully about how to obtain materials through borrowing or donations.

You and your co-applicant are responsible for keeping expense receipts to account for all project costs.

Markham's Canada 150 Neighbourhood Grant supports the goals of Markham Celebrates Canada 150 Action Plan: 

• Fostering national and community pride
• Creating lasting legacies in the community
• Engaging residents of all ages and abilities
• Increasing awareness of Canada 150 activities taking place within our community and across the nation
• Animating the City’s motto, “Leading While Remembering” by reflecting on and celebrating Markham’s past and future.