Inclusive Community Grants
Learn how we’re helping communities become more inclusive and accessible for people of all ages and abilities.
Overview
The Inclusive Community Grants Program helps ensure local governments and community organizations consider Ontarians of all ages and abilities at every stage of community planning and development. Inclusive communities respond to both the opportunities and challenges of an aging population by:
- creating physical and social environments that support independent and active living
- enabling older adults and people with disabilities to continue contributing to all aspects of community life
Ontario’s Inclusive Community Grants Program supports community projects that:
- benefit local communities
- promote accessibility, safety and active living for people of all ages and abilities
- meet the needs of seniors and people with disabilities
Projects funded through Inclusive Community Grants are led by:
- municipalities
- non-for-profit organizations
- Indigenous communities
How to apply
The applications for Inclusive Community Grants are now closed.
If you have questions about the program, please contact your Regional Development Advisor.
Projects receiving funding
Since 2020, the Inclusive Community Grants Program has supported 72 projects in communities across Ontario.
Inclusive Community Grant projects (2022–2023)
| Project name | Project description | Organization | Community | Funding amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elder Park in Lefaivre | This project will enable The Township of Alfred and Plantagenet to build an inclusive and accessible elder park at Riverside Park in Lefaivre. | The Township of Alfred and Plantagenet | Township of Alfred and Plantagenet | $60,000 |
| Mobility Device Charging Stations (Power Up, Ajax!) | This project will enable the Town of Ajax to create more accessible and age-friendly spaces through the installation of designated electric mobility charging stations in all publicly accessed facilities and outdoor spaces. | The Corporation of the Town of Ajax | Ajax | $15,680 |
| Assigned Seats Are Not Our Style: Sit Anywhere That Makes You Smile | This project will enable the Town of Blind River to purchase an accessible kayak launch, beach access mats, and inclusive picnic tables. | The Town of Blind River | Blind River | $32,500 |
| Annie Williams Memorial Park Accessible Pathway Project | This project will allow the Town of Bracebridge to install an accessible pathway at the Annie Williams Memorial Park. | The Town of Bracebridge | Bracebridge | $60,000 |
| Exploring a Bruce County Senior Home Sharing Program | This project will support the County of Bruce to hire a consultant to explore options and opportunities in setting up a Seniors Home Sharing program in Bruce County. | The Corporation of the County of Bruce | County of Bruce | $60,000 |
| Installation of portable beach mats at Burlington Beachway Park | This project will enable the City of Burlington to purchase and install portable beach mats to provide a barrier free path of travel to edge of Lake Ontario at Beachway Park. | The City of Burlington | Burlington | $30,000 |
| Creating an Inclusive Waterfront | This project from the Town of Collingwood will create an inclusive waterfront by installing a mobi-mat system and remove all barrier to accessibility to their shoreline. | Corporation Town of Collingwood | Collingwood | $30,600 |
| Accessibility Renovation to Public Washroom | This project will enable the Dryden Public Library to implement one of their accessibility action plan objectives of creating an accessible washroom. | Dryden Public Library | Dryden | $60,000 |
| Harbourfront Accessible Independent Navigation System | This project will enable the Town of Essex to install new and innovative technology to expand and enhance the safe use of pathways and trails for persons with disabilities. | Town of Essex | Essex | $10,570 |
| Age-Friendly Social Inclusion and Community Support in Gananoque, Ontario | This project will respond to the needs identified through the 2021 Age-Friendly Survey and assessment and Town’s Strategic Plans to prioritize the creation of a dedicated safe space for social, recreation, cultural and educational programs that support the interests and well-being of older adults, seniors and people with disabilities. | The Town of Gananoque | Gananoque | $60,000 |
| Accessible Trails for All Ages and All Abilities | This project will enable Heartland Forest to upgrade their accessible trails to meet AODA standards. | Heartland Forest Nature | Niagara Falls | $29,500 |
| Respect, Health, and Social Inclusion of Indigenous Elders through Land Based Learning in Rural Eastern Ontario | This project will allow Kateri Native Ministry of Ottawa (KNMO) to make crucial upgrades to existing physical structures and build a seasonal tent-style healing lodge on a rural property by the Ottawa River. | Kateri Native Ministry of Ottawa | Ottawa | $51,000 |
| Killaloe Pathways Park Accessible Washrooms | This project will install an accessible washroom at the Killaloe Pathways Park. | The Townships of Killaloe, Hagarty and Richards | Townships of Killaloe, Hagarty and Richards | $35,000 |
| Pickering Public Library: Making Rural Library Services Accessible in Pickering | This project will fund the installation of a public accessible washroom, increasing the use of library space by older adults and people with disabilities. | Pickering Public Library Board | Pickering | $60,000 |
| Inclusive Communities Create Opportunities for All | This project will upgrade Public Washroom into an accessible one and build accessible parking spaces at the Municipal Office, as well as install Portable lift device for patrons at the Wyoming Public Pool. | The Town of Plympton-Wyoming | Town of Plympton-Wyoming | $37,000 |
| Fully Accessible Forest Trail | This project will construct an accessible trail/pathway, construct an area for educational demonstrations and interpretative signage, construct areas for accessible park furniture (benches, bike racks, picnic tables) and install accessible exercise equipment. | Tay Valley Township | Township of Tay Valley | $60,000 |
| Accessible Public Washroom Enhancements (installation of touchless sinks and toilets) | This project from the Township of Tiny will allow the town to make all bathrooms in their municipally-owned public spaces accessible. | The Township of Tiny | Township of Tiny | $57,600 |
Inclusive Community Grant projects (2020–2022)
| Project name | Project description | Organization | Community | Funding amount — Year 1 | Funding amount — Year 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Refresher Driving Course for Older Adults | Driver education for up to 1500 older adults from 11 rural and smaller urban communities of Chatham-Kent. | Active Lifestyle Centre serving the region of Chatham-Kent | Chatham-Kent | $19,400.00 | $29,100.00 |
| Stay Connected | This project aims to reduce social isolation among immigrant older adults and people with mental and physical disabilities with limited or no access to the internet through technology training and information sharing. | Bernard Betel Centre for Creative Living | Toronto | $14,800.00 | $22,200.00 |
| Sound Advice — Community Social Outreach Project | This project will be delivered by Canadian Hearing Services to provide both learning and social environments aimed at helping isolated seniors with hearing loss become connected, independent, and confident in their skills. | Canadian Hearing Services | Toronto | $24,000.00 | $36,000.00 |
| Le Carrefour des adultes et des Ainés (CAAF) — la nouvelle communauté-amie des ainés/ées de London | This project will develop a needs assessment and local action plan to establish a Francophone Age-Friendly community in the London area, prioritizing senior francophone immigrants. | Centre communautaire régional de London | London | $17,465.20 | $26,197.80 |
| Promoting Inclusive Communities in the Greater Toronto Area: Focus on East Asian Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities/Special Needs | This project focuses on East Asian Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities/Special Needs” to create an advisory committee, virtual social connection, virtual health education related to caring for seniors and individuals with disabilities/special needs. | Community Family Services of Ontario | Greater Toronto Area | $24,000.00 | $36,000.00 |
| Age Friendly Community Strategy and Action Plan | This project will support the County of Grey with the Age Friendly Community Strategy and Action Plan. | Corporation of the County of Grey | Grey County | $24,000.00 | $36,000.00 |
| Getting to Outcomes: The Hamilton Age Friendly Plan 2020–2026 | This project will support the development of detailed implementation/action and evaluation plans for the new Age-Friendly Hamilton Plan (2020–2026). | Hamilton Council on Aging | Hamilton | $24,000.00 | $36,000.00 |
| Age-Friendly Community (AFC) for All | This project will support the development of an Inclusive Age-Friendly Action Plan that will highlight the needs of diverse seniors. | Islamic Foundation of Toronto | Toronto | $16,200.00 | $24,300.00 |
| Update of Thunder Bay Age Friendly Community Plan and Expansion of Community Partnership | This project will have an impact on francophone, Indigenous and LGBTQ Seniors in the hub of Thunder Bay and it’s 5 surrounding small communities including Fort William First Nation. | Lakehead Social Planning Council | Thunder Bay | $24,000.00 | $36,000.00 |
| Senior Ministry and Special Needs Ministry Outdoor Space | This project will create a multi-purpose outdoor space to be used by Korean-Canadian Seniors and those with special needs. | Light Presbyterian Church | Greater Toronto Area | $24,000.00 | $36,000.00 |
| Accessibility Assessment for Indigenous Seniors and People with Disabilities in Tiny and Tay Townships | This project will enable March of Dimes Canada — Non-profit Housing to deliver an Accessibility Assessment and Action Plan for Indigenous Seniors and People with Disabilities in Tiny and Tay Townships. | March of Dimes Canada | Tiny and Tay Township | $18,000.00 | $27,000.00 |
| Shining Waters Seniors | This project will improve the lives of 31,500 seniors in 13 rural communities by making outdoor spaces and public buildings more accessible, providing public washrooms, creating information stations that are accessible and readable. | Maryboro Lodge-Fenelon Falls Museum | Fenelon Falls | $11,948.00 | $17,922.00 |
| Clarington Charges Forward — installation of charging stations for personal mobility devices in public places | This project will install 8 accessible charging stations in local parks and along paths and trails in the community. | Municipality of Clarington | Municipality of Clarington | $23,504.00 | $35,256.00 |
| Increasing social engagement, a sense of belonging and well-being, in older adults and people with disabilities, by enabling access to digital literacy and technology, to keep people connected during COVID‑19 | This project will promote technology use for older adults, people with disabilities, those with financial challenges, to reduce social isolation, improve inclusion, access to opportunities for social participation, intergenerational connections and an awareness of health and community services. | Oshawa Senior Citizens Centres — John Street Branch | Oshawa | $23,176.40 | $34,764.60 |
| Opening the Door to Everyone | This project will maximize accessibility beyond the required Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) standards during the construction phase of the Library’s expansion to provide automatic doors, accessible (CNIB) approved signage, resting benches, a curbside pickup box, an adult change table and automatic workstations. | Prince Edward County Public Library and Archives | Wellington | $13,400.00 | $20,100.00 |
| Durham Enhanced Technology and Virtual Learning Series | This project will enable the development of a series of learning and public education opportunities as well as increasing accessibility of public transit services for 4,000 older adults and persons with disabilities. | Regional Municipality of Durham | Regional Municipality of Durham | $24,000.00 | $36,000.00 |
| Increasing Accessibility in Niagara’s Homeless Serving System | This project will increase accessibility in shelters to benefit 500 with disabilities and older adults experiencing homelessness in Niagara Region. | Regional Municipality of Niagara | Regional Municipality of Niagara | $24,000.00 | $36,000.00 |
| Increasing Social Participation and access to on-line Programs and Services by examining psycho-social attitudes of seniors which create resistance to learning in the new digital environment. | This project will aim to increase social participation and access to on-line programs and services by examining psycho-social attitudes of seniors, which create resistance to learning in the new digital environment. It will have an impact on older adults with all abilities with barriers to learning in digital environment in Rexdale region. | Rexdale Community Health Centre | Toronto | $24,000.00 | $36,000.00 |
| Sho Life Lift Project. Accessibility lift purchase and installation at the Sho Arts Studio facility facing Monmuth Road | This project will fund installation of an elevator lift to allow access to seniors and persons with disabilities tenants/stakeholders. | Sho, Art, Spirit and Performance | Windsor | $24,000.00 | $36,000.00 |
| Supporting Our Elders yethiya'takenhas ratiksten'okon:'a | This project will enable the Six Nations to best meet the unique cultural and spiritual beliefs and traditions of the Haudenosaunee Peoples. 900 culturally appropriate baskets with resources, and information to equip Elders with knowledge will be prepared and distributed. | Six Nations Health Services | Six Nations of the Grand River | $24,000.00 | $36,000.00 |
| Pivoting the Plan in a Pandemic | This project will identify modifications and enhancements to the current Age Friendly Action Plan in response to COVID‑19, will better meet the distinct of diverse seniors. | Social Planning Council of Ottawa | Ottawa | $23,464.22 | $35,196.34 |
| The Ramp Project: Fostering Contributions from Older Adults and People with Disabilities | This project will fund the installation of six automatic door openers and a commercial grade aluminum access ramp that is in compliance with municipal codes. | Toronto Christian Community Church (TCCC) | Markham | $16,046.80 | $24,070.20 |
| Farmers’ Market Washroom Accessibility Retrofits | The project will include the design and construction of new gender neutral, accessible washrooms at the Brantford Farmers’ Market. | The City of Brantford | Brantford | $24,000.00 | $36,000.00 |
| Hearing Loop Installations for Burlington Recreation Facilities | The project, “Hearing Loop Installations will set a new standard of accessibility in 8 high priority recreational facilities. | The City of Burlington | Burlington | $23,880.00 | $35,820.00 |
| Age-Friendly Dryden Action Plan | This project will complete a needs assessment and develop an Age Friendly Action Plan for the City of Dryden. | The City of Dryden | Dryden | $24,000.00 | $36,000.00 |
| Accessible picnic tables, more benches, and charging stations for electronic mobility devices | This project will allow the City of Elliot Lake Centre to deliver the “Accessible Picnic Tables, More Benches, and Charging Stations for Electronic Mobility Devices’ initiative. | The City of Elliot Lake | Elliot Lake | $24,000.00 | $36,000.00 |
| Revised: Greater Sudbury’s Action to An Age Friendly Community: Pillar 1: Outdoor and Public Spaces | This project will allow the City of Greater Sudbury to install park benches in 17 outdoor playgrounds and trails for resting points for older adults and persons with disabilities. | The City of Greater Sudbury | Sudbury | $24,000.00 | $36,000.00 |
| Norman Park Accessible Pathway | This project will enable the City of Kenora to continue accessibility upgrades to Norman Park. | The City of Kenora | Kenora | $24,000.00 | $36,000.00 |
| Age Friendly London Caregiver Strategies Project | This project will implement and enhance the Regional Geriatric Program Ontario’s (RGPO) Caregiving Strategies online course to provide technology coaching to seniors. | The City of London | London | $5,520.00 | $8,280.00 |
| Bench Dedication Program | This project will enable The City of North Bay to install and implement a “Bench Dedication Program” that will provide 9,000 older people and people with disabilities an opportunity to have access to rest areas. | The City of North Bay | North Bay | $7,000.00 | $10,500.00 |
| Orillia Age-Friendly Community Needs Assessment and Action Plan | This project will help the City of Orillia to complete an Age-Friendly Community Needs Assessment and an Action Plan. | The City of Orillia | Orillia | $16,800.00 | $25,200.00 |
| Evaluating Age-friendly Peterborough Community Action Plan | This project “Evaluating Age-friendly Peterborough Community Action Plan” will recruit older adults and Trent University Students, (instead of hiring a consultant) to complete an evaluation on the current Age-Friendly Plan. | The City of Peterborough Social Services Division | Peterborough | $21,400.00 | $32,100.00 |
| Inclusive Age-Friendly Community Outdoor Hub | This project will enable the City of Sault Ste. Marie to implement the Inclusive Age-Friendly Community Outdoor Hub project. | The City of Sault Ste. Marie | Sault Ste. Marie | $24,000.00 | $36,000.00 |
| Lambton County Older Adult Care Pathway | This project will aim to increase awareness of available community services, engage older adults and key service providers to identify opportunities to improve current referral processes in social and community services. | The Corporation of the County of Lambton | County of Lambton | $24,000.00 | $36,000.00 |
| Addition of Age-Friendly Fitness Equipment at a Neighbourhood Park | This project, named Addition of Age-Friendly Fitness Equipment at a Neighbourhood Park, will enable the Town of Ajax to add age-friendly fitness equipment to public spaces. | The Corporation of the Town of Ajax | Ajax | $13,970.32 | $20,955.47 |
| Expansion of Accessible Senior Friendly Community Trail | This project will create an accessible trail used by over 1,600 residents, impacting seniors 65+, Francophones and other residents of rural communities near the French River region. | The Municipality of French River | Municipality of French River | $20,000.00 | $30,000.00 |
| Middlesex Centre Age Friendly Community Action Plan | This project will enable The Municipality of Middlesex Centre to develop a “Middlesex Centre Age Friendly Community Action Plan”. | The Municipality of Middlesex Centre | Municipality of Middlesex Centre | $17,200.00 | $25,800.00 |
| The St-Charles Age-Friendly Visiting and Telephone Reassuring Program | This project, called ‘Age-Friendly Visiting and Telephone Reassuring Program’ will create a unique call center for seniors to access information on essential services such as meal delivery, IT assistance and indoor-outdoor maintenance support. | The Municipality of St. Charles | Municipality of St. Charles | $24,000.00 | $36,000.00 |
| Kirby’s Beach Accessibility Project | This project will allow the Town of Bracebridge to undertake “Kirby’s Beach Accessibility Project” which will construct an inclusive playground and accessible pathway. | The Town of Bracebridge | Bracebridge | $24,000.00 | $36,000.00 |
| Gananoque Age Friendly Community Needs Assessment and Action Plan Development | This project will fund a feasibility study/needs assessment toward developing an action plan for Gananoque to be an Age Friendly Community. | The Town of Gananoque | Gananoque | $17,523.07 | $26,284.61 |
| Port Sydney Beach Accessible Ramp Installation | The project will allow the Town of Huntsville to install a 50 metre accessible ramp and mobility mats to allow persons with disabilities and those with mobility issues to access the beach and water area. | The Town of Huntsville | Huntsville | $24,000.00 | $36,000.00 |
| Age-Friendly Whitby Action Plan Evaluation and Expansion of Social Inclusion Programs | This project will enable the Town of Whitby to conduct an evaluation of their 2017 Age-Friendly Action Plan. | The Town of Whitby | Whitby | $24,000.00 | $36,000.00 |
| AFC Needs Assessment and Action Plan Development | This project will enable the small rural Township of Black River-Matheson (Black River) to develop a "Needs Assessment and an Action Plan" as a preliminary step in their efforts to become a designated Age-Friendly Community. | The Township of Black River-Matheson | Township of Black River-Matheson | $24,000.00 | $36,000.00 |
| Pickle Lake Social Inclusion Action Plan and Food Delivery Demonstration Project | This project will develop an Age Friendly Community Plan for Pickle Lake, benefitting Indigenous Seniors. | The Township of Pickle Lake | Township of Pickle Lake | $24,000.00 | $36,000.00 |
| Stirling-Rawdon Facility Accessible upgrades and outdoor improvements | This project will install power doors, provide a hearing centre and add accessible washroom facilities and fitness stations to the recreational trail system. | The Township of Stirling-Rawdon | Township of Stirling-Rawdon | $24,000.00 | $36,000.00 |
| Implementing Tay Valley Township’s Age Friendly Community Plan through Co-housing, Communication and Inclusion: Affordable, Accessible and COVID‑19-friendly Actions for Elder Independence in our Rural Community | This project will aim to develop a plan for an innovative co-housing initiative. | The Township of Tay Valley | Township of Tay Valley | $21,615.60 | $32,423.40 |
| Improving Online Accessibility | This project will help The Township of Tiny, which is designated under the French Language Services Act, to make their website AODA-compliant and translatable. | The Township of Tiny | Township of Tiny | $22,880.00 | $34,320.00 |
| Providing accessibility and inclusion to Quaker Common Trail | This project will aim to make 70 older adults and people with disabilities more active by widening and paving the Quaker Common Trail. | The Township of Uxbridge | Uxbridge | $24,000.00 | $36,000.00 |
| Whitewater Seniors Home Support Satellite Pilot | This project will create 75 social connections and providing 40 improvements to accessibility for older people and people with disabilities. | The Township of Whitewater Region | Township of Whitewater Region | $24,000.00 | $36,000.00 |
| Toronto — South Asian Wellness Program | This project will develop an age friendly advisory committee and plan specific to the local immigrant senior population. | Toronto — Malayalee Samajam | Toronto | $23,926.40 | $35,889.60 |
| Town of Amherstburg Inclusive Community Grant Submission | This project will assist the development of an Age Friendly Community strategy. | Town of Amherstburg | Amherstburg | $24,000.00 | $36,000.00 |
| Enhancing Accessibility and Public Safety at the Nick Smith Center | This project will Enhance Accessibility and Public Safety at the Nick Smith Center. | Town of Arnprior | Arnprior | $23,712.00 | $35,568.00 |
| Increasing Accessibility in Cobourg’s Downtown Core | This project will hire one person with a disability and/or a senior as Project Assistant to increase civic engagement, build awareness of the need to increase accessibility and improve the built environment in the downtown core. | Town of Cobourg | Cobourg | $24,000.00 | $36,000.00 |
| Public Spaces Accessibility Upgrades Project | This project will provide support to complete 44 accessibility upgrades at 10 facilities. | Town of Lincoln | Lincoln | $24,000.00 | $36,000.00 |
| Town of Penetanguishene — Age Friendly Plan | This project will help the Town of Penetanguishene to complete an Age-Friendly Plan. | Town of Penetanguishene | Penetanguishene | $15,719.05 | $23,578.57 |
Related
Updated: April 20, 2023
Published: March 09, 2023
Footnotes
- footnote[1] Back to paragraph Round one funds flowed over two years to allow time for project completion and fiscal year-end reporting