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Community Event Funding

Organizing a community event is a great way to promote your business!  Having a bricks and mortar space for events is a competitive advantage over e-commerce and online business.  Events allow for customer connection and storytelling opportunities to develop deeper connections with customers. We would like to help you collaborate with another Kitchener business to bring an event to life in your neighbourhood. 

IDEAS FOR INSPIRATION

Live Music

Plan a weekly live music event or open mic night. Musician fees or P.A. system rentals are eligible for event funding.

 

Tasting Passport

Partner with neighboring food businesses to offer a tasting passport encouraging customers to visit specific food businesses for specific dishes. The design and printing costs are eligible for funding.

Family Fun Day 

Design an event for kids and families by using a local company to support your creativity (Rent games, hire children's performers, buy materials for a kid's craft, put up a bouncy castle, the list goes on!) These types of expenses are eligible for funding. At least one supplier must be a Kitchener business.

 

Competition Event

Rent or purchase equipment from a Kitchener supplier to run a competition event that engages customers. Hair Stylist competitions, fitness competitions, or how about a Euchre tournament?

Pop-up Market

Host a market for local artisans and apply for funding to cover the costs of tables, chairs, tents, and signage (at least one artisan must be from Kitchener)

 

Community Open Houses

Invite the neighbourhood to an open house with coffee and pastries supplied by a Kitchener business (and we'll pay for it!)

COLLABORATION REQUIREMENTS

This funding program is available to suburban bricks and mortar businesses in the retail, restaurant, fitness, beauty and entertainment sectors. Funding eligibility requires at least one collaboration with another Kitchener business, artist or community group. For example:

  • Co-host the event with another Kitchener business
  • Hire a Kitchener musician
  • Purchase refreshments from a Kitchener food business
  • Purchase materials, equipment, decorations, and rentals from a Kitchener supplier

ELIGIBILITY

Applicants must meet the following application criteria: 

  • The business is located within suburban Kitchener, as identified in the Love My Business area map.
  • The business was required to close or reduce capacity during 2021 or 2022 COVID-19 Provincial restrictions.
  • The business provides in-person services at a bricks and mortar location.
  • The business has a City of Kitchener business license, if required to have one.
  • The community event must include a collaboration with at least one other Kitchener business, performer, educator, artist, or speaker.
  • The community event must be made available to the public and must be free.
  • The City of Kitchener reserves the right to deny or refuse any application.

For full details on eligibility, please review the Love My Business Program Overview.

 

APPLY NOW