Community Conservation Grants

Each year, the GRCF and GRCA award Community Conservation Grants to groups and schools undertaking conservation projects in communities throughout the Grand River watershed. To be eligible, projects must be located in the Grand River watershed and available for the use or benefit of the entire community.

Grants of up to $1,000 are available for community groups and up to $750 for elementary schools. Preference is given to greening projects (such as schoolyard naturalizations and other tree and shrub plantings) rather than hardscaping. Community groups must have, or have access to, a registered charitable number. Applicant schools must be located within the Grand River watershed. Private schools, homeschool organizations and secondary schools are not eligible. Your school must ensure that your school board is aware that you are applying for a grant, and your school's Principal or Vice Principal must sign the application.

The 2025 Community Conservation Grants are open!

This year's application deadline is Friday, May 9, 2025.The applications are provided in electronic format. Should you require the application in an alternate format, please contact our Administrative Assistant.

Successful applicants will be notified late May 2025. Each year the number of applicants exceeds the amount we are able to grant. We appreciate all applications, however only those applicants who are successful will be notified.

Please note that due to the volume of applications we receive, we are not able to provide specific feedback to unsuccessful applicants. 

Community Groups Application 

All community groups must have, or have access to, a registered charitable number. Only one application per community group will be accepted. To apply to the 2025 Community Groups Grant, please fill out the 2025 Community Groups Application form.

Elementary Schools Application 

Applicant schools must be located within the Grand River watershed. Private schools, homeschool organizations and secondary schools are not eligible. Your school must ensure that your school board is aware that you are applying for a grant, and your school's Principal or Vice Principal must sign the application. To apply to the 2025 School Groups Grant, please fill out the 2025 Elementary Schools Application form.

2024 Grant Winners

Elementary Schools

• Saint Anne's Catholic Elementary School - Courtyard Challenge
• Groh Public School - Groh Public School Garden
• St. John's Nursery School - Ourdoor Education Revitalization Project

Community Groups

• Bethel Stone United Church - Bethel Community Memorial Garden
• Ramoth Life Center - Gardening Program
• Galt Horticultural Society - The Gardens at Ferguson Cottage
• The Guelph Enabling Garden - Guelph Enabling Garden Pollinator Gardens