Community Environmental Projects Grant Program (CEPGP)

CEPGP provides funding to non-profit organizations interested in undertaking small-scale, community-based initiatives that support an environmentally sustainable Ottawa.

Before you begin

Applications for 2024 are now being accepted. The deadline for submissions is April 5, 2024 at 4:00 pm. Late applications will not be considered.

The annual budget for the program is $102,000 and project funding has ranged from $200 to $10,500, with an average grant of roughly $3,200.

Projects have one year to be completed and must be completed by June 30, 2025.

Only one application per organization will be accepted each year.

Eligibility

Eligible groups include community associations, community groups, youth groups, school councils/parent associations, and industry and trade associations. Organizations must be based in Ottawa and adhere to not-for-profit principles.

Organizations with an active CEPGP project are not eligible to apply.  Organizations must submit a Project Evaluation Report according to the terms of their CEPGP Contribution Agreement for a project to be deemed complete.

CEPGP does not fund:

  • For-profit groups or other organizations
  • Individuals
  • Government agencies
  • Organizations with political affiliations
  • Ongoing operating costs and salaried positions
  • Major costs such as buildings, vehicles or large equipment
  • Furniture or outdoor seating
  • Refreshments
  • Business-development plans
  • Deficit financing for organizations in debt
  • Projects for audiences outside the City
  • Projects that duplicate work already being done by the City or other community organizations such as community food gardens

What you need

Applications are to include:

  • Project description
  • Project timeline
  • Sketch of project site (if applicable)
  • Photos of existing site (if applicable)
  • Description of organization
  • Project budget including volunteer labour, in-kind donations and other sources of funding. Applicants must contribute funds or in-kind contributions of at least 33 percent of the project’s value.
  • Letter of consent from the owner of the property (if not owned by applicant).  Projects proposed for school property must provide permission from the school board. Projects proposed for City of Ottawa property will be required to obtain appropriate approval prior to commencing.

Organizations that are approved for CEPGP funding will be required to demonstrate that the organization has appropriate commercial general liability insurance in place.

After you apply

All applications will be considered after the submission deadline by a review committee.  The committee will consider the following as part of the review:

  • Eligibility of organization
  • Application completeness
  • Contribution to an environmentally sustainable Ottawa
  • Project description, timeline and budget
  • Permission from property owner (if applicable)

All applicants will be notified of the review committee’s decision as soon as possible.  The length of time required to review the applications depends on the number of applications received and the complexity of the applications.  The review committee makes every effort to reach a decision within two months of the application deadline.

Should you have questions regarding your application, please contact

Tara Redpath
CEPGP Coordinator
City of Ottawa
Planning, Real Estate and Economic Development Department
110 Laurier Avenue West, 4th Floor (01-15), Ottawa, ON K1P 1J1
613-580-2424, extension 16822.
Email: cepgp@ottawa.ca