Kitchener’s RISE applications reopen for racialized businesses
Posted Aug 19, 2026 12:46:46 PM.
Last Updated Aug 19, 2026 02:11:14 PM.
For a fifth consecutive year, Kitchener’s Racialized and Indigenous Supports for Equity (RISE) Fund has begun accepting applications from local non-profits and community groups in the community.
Since 2022, the RISE fund grant program has sought to support “community-led organizations, programs, initiatives and events that help address inequities while increasing opportunities and well-being for Black, Indigenous and racialized communities in Kitchener.”
Not-for-profit organizations and community projects both new and established in previous years can apply.
As per the fund’s guidelines, RISE applicant organizations must be led by individuals “who identify as Black, Indigenous and/or racialized and must support Black, Indigenous and/or racialized communities in Kitchener.”
A release by the City of Kitchener says priority is given to newly-founded organizations who have been in operation in the last five years or less. They say priority is also given to Indigenous organizations and projects.
Past organizations who have received funding through RISE include Action for Women and Family, Kingsdale Community Garden, Muslim Social Services Waterloo Region, and Hope for Community Development.
A staff report by the City of Kitchener’s Finance and Corporate Services Department published in October 2025 says the RISE fund had contributed $396,789 to 43 local organizations between 2022 and 2024. The report provided a graph which represents how different racialized communities had been invested in via the fund:
The number of applications to the RISE fund has increased exponentially from the fund’s inception, with 41 applications in 2022 increasing to 145 by 2024. Of the almost $400,000 in total funding through rise in the highlighted time-frame, that funding was split up between four main areas:
- Projects accounted for $231,652
- Events accounted for $72,000
- Operational Costs accounted for $49,327
- Capacity Building accounted for $43,810
Application details
The 2026 release of the RISE fund application states the annual budget for the fund is $150,000 with grants ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 per applying organization.
The City of Kitchener says funding is available for any projects, events and programs that address systemic barriers and that increase opportunities for access to resources and community building. The application requirements say projects and events “must take place in Kitchener and demonstrate a clear benefit to local residents.”
Applications to the 2026 RISE fund began being accepted on Aug. 17, and will be open until Sept. 14. Applications can be filed using the City of Kitchener’s online application form that can be found at their RISE web portal. Hard-copy versions of the form are also available via the portal, with the City of Kitchener also providing grant-writing tips to help applications prepare their submissions.
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