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Local Environmental Action Fund

What is LEAF?

In 2007, Kitchener city council underscored our commitment to protecting and conserving the environment through the creation of the $5-million Local Environmental Action Fund (LEAF).

LEAF applications are not being accepted in 2012. The program is currently being reviewed. For more information, please see our LEAF Program Review page.

The goal of Kitchener's LEAF program is to reduce or repair our city's impact on the environment; and to enhance our ability to live sustainably into the future.

Criteria

As a result, we developed the following criteria. Projects or programs funded by LEAF must:

Contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gases produced by the city's own operations and/or the community at large.
Increase public awareness of the environmental impact of the actions of municipal governments, communities, businesses, families and/or individuals, and promote changed behaviour at this local level.
Provide a long-term, sustainable benefit to Kitchener.

Funded projects and programs must also accomplish one or more of the following:

Contribute to enhanced local air quality.
Result in reduced energy use, increased energy efficiency, increased use of alternative energy sources.
Increase city-ownership of significant natural lands where other techniques for acquisition have not succeeded.
Provide capital enhancements to city-owned and city-managed natural lands over and above what would occur as part of normal city procedures.
Facilitate capital improvements that will make existing communities more complete and residents of those communities less dependant on the automobile.

Eligibility

The following groups are welcome to apply for a LEAF grant:

Charitable organizations
Organizations incorporated as not-for-profit in Ontario
Other public organizations (universities, schools, hospitals, faith groups)
City departments and affiliated agencies

Individuals, and other municipalities and levels of government, are not normally eligible for funding, unless:

A strong partnership application is submitted.
Matching funds are made available.
The partnership offers the opportunity to leverage Kitchener's investment to its maximum potential.
The project provides a long-term, sustainable benefit to Kitchener.

For-profit organizations are not normally eligible for funding, unless:

A strong partnership application is submitted.
Matching funds are made available.
The partnership offers the opportunity to leverage Kitchener's investment to its maximum potential.
The project or grant does not constitute a financial benefit to the organization with respect to its business.
The project is not located on property owned by the organization.
The project, program or grant does not constitute a bonus under the Ontario Municipal Act.
The project provides a long-term, sustainable benefit to Kitchener.

All projects or programs must be located and implemented in Kitchener.

Application Process

LEAF grants are separated into two categories, and may be applied by downloading and completing an application form:

Small project requests under $50,000
Large project requests $50,000 and over

All applications must be accompanied by:

List of board of directors (if applicable)
Most recent (audited or unaudited) financial statements (where available)
Other pertinent materials may also be appended

LEAF applications are not being accepted in 2012. The program is currently being reviewed, and applications may again be considered in 2013.

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