Social and Community Investment Fund (SCIF) Eligibility Criteria
Standard Grant (2027 – 2029)
To apply to the Social and Community Investment Fund (SCIF), your organization must provide information that demonstrates the project will meet all SCIF program objectives. SCIF is intended to provide opportunities for low-income individuals and families through community programs.
The goals of the SCIF program are:
- To support projects that provide direct delivery of services and resources that target core needs and address gaps for people living in poverty in Simcoe County.
- To better align poverty reduction services and resources with regional Community Safety and Well-Being plans and local poverty reduction strategies.
2027-2029 Strategic Investment Priorities:
The 2027–2029 SCIF Standard Grant provides approved organizations with a three-year funding commitment to address urgent basic needs in Simcoe County.
To respond to growing community needs, the County has developed the Regional Household Hunger Prevention Plan (HHPP) as its strategic investment plan for this funding period. The plan prioritizes food security while continuing to support a broad range of programs and services that address poverty.
As part of this approach, additional consideration will be given to applications that directly improve food security, particularly projects that put food in the hands of residents or remove barriers to accessing it.
Examples include increasing food supplies, expanding meal and grocery programs, improving food delivery and transportation, extending service hours, and reaching underserved communities.
Food security is a funding priority, not an eligibility requirement. Organizations delivering other eligible poverty reduction programs and services are encouraged to apply.
Eligibility Criteria:
To qualify for SCIF funding, organizations must:
- Be located in Simcoe County or primarily serve Simcoe County residents.
- Offer community programs that provide urgent basic needs services—such as food security, healthcare essentials, and transportation—excluding shelter, housing, and income supports.
- Organizations should be incorporated into non-profit, registered charities, or community-based groups. Grassroots groups may be eligible if partnered with a registered fiscal sponsor or community organization. Exceptions may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
- Programs must demonstrate inclusive service strategies to ensure equitable access for marginalized populations (e.g., Indigenous, racialized, newcomers, 2SLGBTQ+, persons with disabilities, etc.).
- Applicants must provide a detailed budget and post-project report demonstrating outcomes and financial accountability, and must have established financial management systems, including annual audited financial statements or equivalent documentation. Organizations without an established financial system must partner with a recognized trustee/donnée to ensure appropriate financial oversight.
- Funds cannot be used for major capital projects, but minor capital items such as refrigerators and freezers may be considered
- In years when both SCIF Micro Grants and Standard Grants are offered; organizations may apply for and receive funding through both programs within the same funding year. Receiving funding through one program does not affect eligibility for the other.
- For-profit organizations or publicly funded institutions. Exceptions may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
- Programs must not duplicate existing County-funded services or other programs operating within the same catchment area and must not receive the majority of their funding from federal or provincial governments. Exceptions may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
- Organizations whose principal function is to act as a funding body (i.e., redistributing grants rather than directly delivering programs or services).
- Organizations affiliated with a political party or holding an explicit political mandate.
- Municipalities and Cities are not eligible to apply, unless partnered with a local non-profit.
How to Apply
Applications for the 2027–2029 Standard Grant open November 4, 2026.
Before applying, review the eligibility requirements and frequently asked questions to determine whether your organization and proposed project qualify.
Already started an application? Log in to the application portal and select Dashboard in the top-right corner to continue your application.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Eligibility
Municipalities are not eligible to apply as sole applicants. However, a municipality may apply in partnership with an eligible non-profit organization.
Yes. Organizations that have received SCIF funding in previous years may apply again. Additionally, projects that have received Microgrants are permitted to apply for SCIF Standard funding as well.
Yes. Projects and services must be delivered within Simcoe County or primarily serve residents of Simcoe County.
Project Requirements
Eligible projects must address an urgent basic need through direct service delivery. This may include immediate assistance or ongoing programs that help individuals and households meet essential daily needs. Applications should clearly describe intended outcomes and how the project contributes to measurable community impact.
Guiding Criteria
Programs should demonstrate alignment with the following three criteria:
- Immediate Need: Does the program address an essential need or hardship that cannot reasonably be delayed?
- Direct Benefit: Does the program provide a tangible good, essential service, or direct assistance to individuals or households?
- Program Fit: Does the program address poverty-related basic needs without extending into housing, shelter, income supports, or general social or recreational programming?
Important: Urgent needs do not necessarily require short-term solutions. Programs providing ongoing assistance to address persistent or recurring basic needs may also be eligible.
Examples of Eligible Programs and Services
The following examples are intended to help applicants identify programs that may align with SCIF funding priorities. This list is not exhaustive and serves only to provide examples of projects serving urgent basic needs.Category
Examples of Programs and Services
Food Security
Food banks, emergency food hampers, community meals, school nutrition programs, food rescue and redistribution, infant formula and meal delivery for vulnerable residents.
Personal Hygiene and Sanitation
Distribution of hygiene kits, menstrual products, diapers, incontinence supplies, laundry services, showers and essential personal care products.
Clothing and Footwear
Clothing banks, winter coat and boot programs, emergency clothing distribution, children’s clothing and essential footwear.
Transportation
Bus tickets, transit passes, volunteer driver programs and accessible transportation to essential medical appointments, food programs and other urgent basic needs services.
Access to Essential Services
Direct assistance connecting individuals to urgent food, healthcare, hygiene and transportation supports, including essential service navigation.
Infant and Child Essentials
Diaper banks, infant feeding supplies, baby hygiene kits, essential children’s clothing and necessary infant safety equipment.
Seniors and Persons with Disabilities
Essential mobility aids, assistive devices, incontinence products, meal delivery and transportation to essential services.
Programs that include a combination of activities may still be considered where the proposed funding specifically supports an eligible urgent basic needs component.
Two community partnership letters must be uploaded to the application portal. The letters should clearly describe the role of the partnering organization and how it will support the proposed SCIF project.
Funding & Eligible Expenses
Yes. Standard SCIF Grants: Up to $100,000.
SCIF operates within a limited funding envelope and receives applications from across Simcoe County. Funding is competitive and not all applications will be approved.
Eligible expenses may include direct program costs such as staffing, supplies, materials, equipment, and project-related operational expenses.
Ineligible expenses may include capital construction costs, ongoing core operating expenses unrelated to the project, or expenses incurred prior to funding approval. Applicants should refer to the program guidelines for a complete list of eligible and ineligible costs.
Funded projects must be completed by December 31, 2029 unless otherwise specified in the funding agreement.
Application Process
Starting in 2026, all applications must be submitted online. Visit www.simcoe.ca/SCIF to access the online application portal.
No. The application is available only as an online form. If you require accommodation to complete your application, please contact SCIF@simcoe.ca.
Yes. An organization may submit more than one application for separate projects. However, if successful, only one project per organization will be funded in a given intake period.
Evaluation & Decision-Making
Applications are evaluated based on alignment with SCIF priorities, demonstrated community need, clarity of proposed activities, feasibility, partnerships, measurable outcomes, and overall community impact.
After the application deadline, submissions are reviewed and scored by the Allocation Committee. The Committee presents its funding recommendations to County Council for approval.
Once County Council has endorsed the recommendations, the County of Simcoe Community Strategies Team will notify successful applicants.
Reporting & Accountability
Successful applicants will be required to submit progress and/or final reports outlining project activities, outcomes achieved, and financial expenditures. Reporting requirements will be outlined in the funding agreement.
For questions regarding application submissions, please contact SCIF@simcoe.ca.