COMMUNITY GRANTS
2027 PDCF Community Grant Applications are now open! Submission deadline is Oct 31, 2026.
PDCF Community Grants are awarded once a year to local charities whose work contributes to strengthening community so that everyone belongs and thrives, today and in the future.
Grants much directly benefit residents of any or all of the Town of Perth, Drummond/North Elmsley, Lanark Highlands, and Tay Valley Townships.
Since 2002, we have awarded almost $2.7 million in grants to local organizations that provide programs and services that help build and strengthen community.
In January 2026, PDCF distributed a record $600,000 in Community Grants to over 40 local organizations. This total includes all 2026 one- and two-year grants as well as the second-year installments of our 2025 two-year grants. We are grateful to all donors who make this possible. For more information about the 2026 community grant recipients, click here.
Community Grants are made possible through investment income earned on unrestricted endowed funds. As of the Fall of 2024, donations can also be made to the PDCF Community Granting Fund.
Please read the guidelines below before completing the PDCF Community Grant Application Form.
Invitation to Apply
PDCF welcomes applications from organizations that provide programs and services in a variety of sectors including, but not limited to:
- arts and culture
- education and literacy
- protection of the natural environment
- climate change
- health and social services, and
- heritage preservation.
PDCF knows that diversity – inclusion, equity, and justice – is essential to a strong community. We welcome applications from any and all organizations that have been under-represented, marginalized or discouraged from fully participating in the community.
PDCF encourages ongoing dialogue between the Foundation and grant recipients that supports building relationships based on trust and mutual respect.
Eligible Applications
Grants must directly benefit communities in any or all of the Town of Perth, Drummond/North Elmsley, Lanark Highlands, and Tay Valley townships.
Eligible applicants include:
- qualified donees, including registered charities or other entities such as municipalities or school boards, and
- NEW! non-qualified donees who have previously received a grant from PDCF through a third-party partner.
Non-qualified donees who have not previously received a PDCF grant must apply with a qualified third party partner.
If you have any questions, please contact Victoria Gibb-Carsley at executive.director@pdcf.ca
Ineligible Applications
- those promoting religious or political activities or beliefs or lobbying
- those that contravene any of the prohibited grounds of discrimination outlined in the Ontario Human Rights Act
- major capital projects or annual fund drives
- applications from organizations whose sole purpose is funding
- activities that take place outside Canada
Community Grant Recipients
- are expected to acknowledge the support of PDCF on their website, in printed material, on radio and other media, and at events
Grant Recipients may
- carry over their grant to the end of their fiscal year
- apply for a second grant when the first grant has been carried over, and
- modify the nature of the grant on the condition they provide a legitimate rationale to PDCF
Grant recipients may not hold two grants at the same time except for any overlap in the carry over period until the end of the organization’s fiscal year.
Application Deadline
- Applications must be received on or before October 31 of each year. Completed applications should be emailed to grants@pdcf.ca.
- All grant applications are required to complete the PDCF Community Grant Application Form
- All applicants will receive notice of the Foundation’s decision by January 15 of the next year. Grants are disbursed by mid-February.
PDCF Grants Committee
Eligible applications are assessed by the PDCF Grants Committee which is comprised of a minimum of three PDCF Board members and two community members.
In reviewing applications, the Commitee considers the benefit to the community, current findings in the most recent Vital Signs report, the Foundation’s charitable purpose, plus the specific criteria for assessing grant applications.
Evaluation Criteria for One-Year Community Grant Applications
- quality of the proposed activities,
- potential impact of the proposed activities, and
- the demonstrated ability of the applicant to carry out the proposed activities.
Evaluation Criteria for Two-Year Community Grant Applications
- quality of the proposed activities,
- the demonstrated ability of the applicant to carry out the proposed activities,
- the demonstrated ability of the applicant to deliver quality programs and services,
- demonstrated sound fiscal management and diversified sources of revenue, and
- the potential impact of the grant
Only community organizations that have successfully fulfilled the obligations for at least one previous PDCF Community Grant may apply for a two-year grant.
Community Grants
PDCF recognizes that there are times when an organization is in a position to undertake a project and that there are times when an organization needs a degree of stability and flexibility. PDCF trusts that community organizations know what’s best for their organization and their clientele and will apply for grants accordingly.
Eligible needs for grants include, but are not limited to:
- projects
- salaries
- overhead expenses
- program review
- research
- organizational development
- planning
Applicants may apply for a one OR two-year community grant.
Only community organizations that have successfully fulfilled the obligations for at least one previous PDCF Community Grant may apply for a two-year grant.
Organizations that received a two-year grant in 2026 are not eligible for a 2027 PDCF Community Grant.
Applicants who choose to submit an application in collaboration with another organization must designate one organization as the official recipient responsible for fulfilling the terms of the grant.
Reporting on Grants
- All one-year grant recipients are required to complete the PDCF Community Grant Report Form by October 30th, 2026
- Recipients of two-year grants will submit an interim report on or before October 30th, 2026
- Submission of the report is a prerequisite to be considered for future funding.
Help to complete the application
If you have questions or need assistance with the grant appliation process, we are happy to help. Please contact Victoria Gibb-Carsley at executive.director@pdcf.ca or by phone at 613-326-0295.