Community Investment Fund
The Community Investment Fund invests in local initiatives delivered by not-for-profit community agencies and other partners. These initiatives target gaps in the delivery of human services, complement or enhance Regional programs and deliver on policy priorities set by Regional Council.
The Region is committed to strengthening community capacity and social infrastructure to improve the ability of communities to identify and respond to the needs of residents.
E-newsletter
The Community Development Newsletter is a biweekly email that provides sector-based, up-to-date information on funding, professional development and training opportunities.
2026 Funded Projects and Initiatives
Community Projects
360 kids
Black Mental Health & Wellness Counsellor
Black-focused mental health counselling supports for youth.
Landlord Engagement Specialist
Engage and connect landlords and property managers to prospective youth tenants and support landlord-tenant relationship to resolve issues and maintain tenancy.
Agincourt Community Services Association
Building Engagement, Advocacy, Collaboration, Outreach, and Navigation
BEACON aims to empower residents living in Markham with tools and knowledge for advocacy, service access, and systemic change, including a Right to Housing Framework, election information, key housing and mental health policies, and strategies for engaging officials.
https://www.agincourtcommunityservices.com
Association des Francophones de la Region de York
Connexion Bien-Être Francophone
Mental well-being program created by and for Francophones in York Region, offering culturally adapted services in French for newcomers and vulnerable families facing systemic and linguistic barriers.
Black Youth Write
Black Girl’s Magazine
Empowering Black girls through literary and creative platforms that build cultural pride, self-esteem, and positive representation. Promoting inclusion, and cultural understanding through writing workshops.
Blue Door Support Services
Housing For All
Creation of a vulnerable tenants handbook with information and resources specific to marginalized populations facing homelessness and support for the securing of donated properties and housing units for use as community-owned affordable housing (Affordable Housing Land Trust).
Canadian Centre for Housing Rights
Capacity Building and Education on the Right to Housing in York Region
Housing rights workshops and Region-specific housing rights resources for residents and front-line workers to assist low-income and equity-deserving individuals to stabilize their housing.
Housing Access, Stabilization, and Eviction Prevention
Legal information, advice, system navigation, and referrals to pro bono legal assistance for renters facing eviction and housing insecurity in York Region.
https://housingrightscanada.com
Canadian Centre for Men and Families
Men’s Mental Health and Stabilization Initiative
Specialized psychotherapy, case management, and related supports for vulnerable adult men.
https://www.menandfamilies.org
CAYR Community Connections
Thrive Together: 2SLGBTQIA+ Youth Wellness Initiative
Youth-led wellness initiative that supports 2SLGBTQ+ youth in York Region through mental health promotion, early intervention, and life skills development.
Centre for New Immigrant Well-Being
Resilient Minds, Stronger Community: Mental Wellness for Newcomers in South-Central Markham
Addresses mental health gaps among newcomers, racialized communities, and low-income households in South-Central Markham by supporting the full design, delivery, and evaluation of a culturally responsive program that increases mental health awareness, strengthens family and community supports, and builds a sustainable local peer support network.
Chippewas of Georgina Island
Circle of Care Team
Culturally grounded mobile wellness team that provides wraparound mental health and addictions support, including aftercare, for both on- and off-Georgina Island Reserve Indigenous residents across York Region.
Community and Home Assistance to Seniors (CHATS)
Hoarding/Tenancy Risk Reduction Services
Support to low-income adults living with mental illness, specifically hoarding disorder, to achieve sustainable and positive behaviour change that reduces risk of housing loss.
Community Family Services of Ontario
Improving Mental Health Outcomes for Asian Children and Newcomers
Enhances mental health and well-being for Asian residents in York Region by expanding culturally and linguistically responsive, trauma-informed services to support clients through counselling, psychotherapy, and emotional-behavioural rehabilitation.
Community Legal Clinic of York Region
Tenant Rights Education for Newcomers
Housing rights education to newcomer tenants.
Dnaagdawenmag Binnoojiiyag Child and Family Services
Community Based High Risk Infant Nurse
Intensive, culturally grounded home visits and developmental support to Indigenous families.
Eshkiniigjik Naandwechigegamig, Aabiish Gaa Binjibaaying (ENAGB Youth Agency)
York Region Youth Council
Programming and internal capacity enhancements aimed at improving the well-being of Indigenous youth in York Region through staffing, outreach, the development of an Indigenous Youth Council, holistic workshops, and drop-in services.
Family Services York Region
Outreach
Culturally and linguistically appropriate counselling and mentorship for newcomers to address social and emotional issues.
HF Care
Asian Youth Mental Health Clinic Counselling
Counselling, psychoeducational groups, and community outreach to immigrant youth of Asian ethnicity aged 12 to 29, and their families.
Human Endeavour
INFORM: Information for Newcomer Families on Mental Health
Culturally sensitive and linguistically accessible mental health promotion and prevention services, resources, and community engagement opportunities for newcomer families.
Inn from the Cold Inc.
Housing Retention Program
Case management to residents with high risk of recidivism back into homelessness to maintain housing retention.
https://www.innfromthecold.ca/
Jewish Family and Child Service of Greater Toronto
New Horizon Program
Support to individuals who have experienced or witnessed family violence and provide short-term, culturally responsive counselling.
Housing Program Worker
Housing supports including, assessment, case management, search/placement support, and eviction prevention to reduce social isolation and improve mental health for women impacted by intimate partner violence.
John Howard Society of York Region
New Paths
Trauma-informed supports for justice-involved individuals and those at risk of justice involvement, as well as their families, in fostering healing, reunification, and positive mental health for all family members.
https://johnhoward.on.ca/yorkregion/
Lance Krasman Memorial Centre for Community Mental Health
Miijim Taaswin (Food Cupboard)
Enhancing food distribution and access in northern Georgina and Georgina Island First Nation.
Peer Support Pathways to Well-being
Peer-based recovery education group services that will provide access to immediate support and mental health resources.
LOFT Community Services
Crosslinks Supported Eviction Prevention
Individualized and group-based life-enrichment supports tailored towards addressing challenges for tenants in social housing experiencing complex mental health and addiction challenges so that they can live sustainably and independently in their communities.
Midaynta Community Services
HomeSafe York
Culturally sensitive tenants' rights education and advocacy, information and system navigation, landlord engagement, and housing counseling and support.
Mental Wellness for Housing Stability
Clinically trained Mental Well-Being Support Worker and a structured Intensive Case Management model to serve high-risk clients experiencing mental health crises alongside housing instability in York Region.
Newmarket African Caribbean Canadian Association
Black Mental Wellness: The Way Forward – Sustaining Culturally Grounded Care
Mental wellness support services (e.g., counselling services, cultural workshops, and recreational activities) that are focused on improving the mental health and well-being of the Black community.
Youth Student Success Initiative
Comprehensive, multi-partner, culturally responsive initiative designed to support Black middle school students, in achieving academic success, personal growth, and community engagement.
https://www.naccacommunity.ca/
Parents of Black Children
Building Pathways in York Region
Culturally responsive system navigation for families, tutoring, academic supports for Black students, mental health resources and parent engagement through family focused supports.
https://parentsofblackchildren.org/
Play Forever
Thrive Youth
School connected sports and life skills programs for Black youth across York Region using sports to build trust and engagement.
Routes Connecting Communities Inc.
Newmarket Heights Nourishing Homes
This resident-led and focused project will address food security and provides housing supports for residents of Newmarket through weekly pay-what-you-can Farmer’s Markets, educational events, cooking workshops, local farm visits, and other activities.
Georgina Learning Café
The Georgina Learning Care will serve individuals under 30 years of age who are facing barriers to traditional employment opportunities with career exploration, economic opportunities, mentorship, skills development and training.
The Housing Help Centre
Improving Safety Outcomes
Empowerment for youth facing domestic and family violence by providing education, outreach, mental health counseling, and victim support.
Eviction Prevention Through Information Dissemination, Mediation, Settlement and Re-Housing
Information dissemination to target populations, y landlord-tenant mediation and settlements, and tenant rehousing supports.
https://www.shhc.ca/housing-help-york
Tribe Canada
Culturally Responsive Food Distribution Network
Building a culturally inclusive, resilient, and sustainable food distribution network.
VHA Home Healthcare
Rebound and Reclaim
Comprehensive cleaning services and ongoing support to individuals with serious mental illness and/or physical disabilities, at-risk of eviction.
Victim Services of York Region
Crisis Intervention and Human Trafficking Counselling
Funding to support delivery of services to persons victimized by crime and tragic circumstance, including crisis intervention and counselling support to victims of human trafficking.
https://www.victimservices-york.org
Women’s Centre of York Region
Stories from the Stove
Strengthening the local food system by expanding access to affordable, in season, and culturally relevant foods while reducing waste through a structured meal box model and cultural community cooking class.
Women’s Support Network of York Region
Meeting the Needs of Sexual Violence Survivors in York Region
Crisis online chat and texting service, counselling and outreach, virtual drop-in and art group for survivors of domestic violence.
https://womenssupportnetwork.ca/
Yellow Brick House
Support for Survivors: Ensuring Housing Security
Personalized consultations, ensuring ongoing support during the housing transition process, and securing long-term housing for those affected by domestic violence.
https://www.yellowbrickhouse.org/
York Region Centre for Community Safety
Integrated Hub Services for Survivors of Gender-based Violence
Enhanced trauma informed mental health supports for survivors of intimate partner and sexual violence in York Region.
York Region Elite Basketball (flow-through Shine Through the Rain)
Youth Basketball
After-school program for 40 Black youth (ages 13–18) in Newmarket, combining basketball training with life skills development, focusing on mentorship, mental health, and education.
No website.
York Region Food Network
Food Connects
Strengthening York Region’s food system by coordinating networks, improving communication, and linking local farms with community programs.
Organizational Development Initiatives
Organizational Development and Capacity Building is a Council-approved priority for the Community Investment Fund program. Through this priority, funding is being allocated to support community agencies to strengthen their ability to operate sustainably and deliver effective services to residents.
African Canadian Social Development Council (ACSDC)
Strengthening operational capacity through strategic planning, board training, financial risk management, monitoring and evaluation, and policy development.
Agincourt Community Services Association
Update of internal health and safety policies and systems guided by Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion principles with an aim to improve staff recruitment, retention, and workplace safety.
Anishnabeg Outreach Employment and Training Inc
Addresses the lack of comprehensive, community-informed data on the needs of Indigenous residents by conducting a needs assessment to guide the establishment of a Centre for Truth and Reconciliation in York Region, supporting culturally relevant, community-driven planning and service delivery.
Blue Door Support Services
Upgrade cloud-based financial system to enhance accountability, scalability, and service delivery across York Region.
CHATS (Community & Home Assistance to Seniors)
Establish a unified, data-driven strategy to standardize service delivery and improve reporting.
East Gwillimbury Public Library
Establishment of a library-based dry goods pantry integrated with community-based food literacy programming to expand food access and education in York Region.
Georgina Community Food Pantry
Develop a unified, data-driven strategy to standardize services and enhance reporting to meet Food Banks Canada’s certification standards.
https://georginafoodpantry.com/
HF Care
Enhance fundraising strategies and implement a new fundraising model through an assessment of the organization’s current fundraising systems and integration of culturally informed approaches to philanthropy within East and Southeast Asian communities to strengthen long-term sustainability.
Jewish Family and Child Service of Greater Toronto
Develop a technology strategy to support improvements to the organization’s case management system and overall service delivery.
Jewish Immigrant Aid Services (JIAS)
Develop an agency-wide evaluation framework to enhance organizational planning, performance measurement, and evaluation capacity.
John Howard Society of York Region
Enhance on-site security, upgrade staff technology, and implement a staff survey to improve workplace culture and organizational effectiveness.
https://johnhoward.on.ca/yorkregion/
LOFT Community Services
Improve organizational evaluation practices by developing a consistent, research-based evaluation framework.
Markham African Caribbean Canadian Association (MACCA)
A consultant led enhancement of governance and risk assessment, establishment of a new strategic plan and implementation of customer relationship management system.
Midaynta Community Services
Strengthen operations through updated policy manuals, a risk management framework, enhanced board oversight, and improved financial reporting.
Newmarket African Caribbean Canadian Association (NACCA)
This project will support a shift from a volunteer-led structure to a professionally staffed, regionally impactful nonprofit by strengthening communications, formalizing HR systems, and building long-term fundraising capacity.
https://www.naccacommunity.ca/#/
Odeiwin Foundation
Staffing enhancements to support cultural programming, outreach, evaluation, and support strategic planning.
Play Forever
Develop fundraising strategies and strategic partnerships to explore a service-based revenue model that supports sustainable growth.
Routes Connecting Communities Inc.
Enhance governance, leadership, and technology infrastructure, including the implementation of a new client management system and website redesign, to improve service delivery and support long-term sustainability.
The Food Bank of York Region
This project strengthens York Region’s food system by coordinating resources and expanding partnerships to improve access for residents facing food insecurity.
Urban Change Action Coalition
Establish a York Region Nonprofit Network to strengthen collaboration, advocacy, and sector capacity through an equitable, region wide membership model.
Victim Services of York Region
Develop a fundraising strategic plan and conduct a comprehensive review of HR policies and practices.
Women’s Support Network of York Region
Develop resource plan to improve fundraising strategies and activities and purchase software to strengthen communications and donor engagement.
York Region Alliance of African Canadian Communities
Pre-development activities to support exploration of a first-ever Black Youth Hub in York Region.
Yellow Brick House
Develop a new strategic planning framework, a fund development audit, and upgrade to security systems to support a secure environment for clients and staff in shelter care.
Support for Community Action Tables
Funding is being allocated to Community Action Table lead agencies to bring together community partners in four York Region communities to identify community risks, determine risk mitigation strategies, and provide insights to inform the Community Safety and Well-being Plan for York Region.
Agincourt Community Services Association
Community Action Table Lead – South Central Markham
Lead agency for south-central Markham Community Action Table.
https://www.agincourtcommunityservices.com
Family Services York Region
Community Action Table – Richmond Hill
Lead agency for south-central Richmond Hill Community Action Table.
Routes Connecting Communities Inc.
Community Action Table – Northern Georgina
Lead agency for northern Georgina Community Action Table.
Community Action Table – Central Newmarket
Lead agency for central Newmarket Community Action Table.
Funding Opportunities
There are currently no open community investment fund calls for project applications.
Contact
Have an inquiry about York Region’s Community Investment Fund? Interested in learning more or have an idea for a community project? Please connect with us at [email protected]
Related Resources
- York Region Community Investment Fund 2025 Activity Report
- York Region Community Investment Fund 2024 Activity Report
- York Region Community Investment Fund 2023 Activity Report
- Report to Regional Council on Community Investment Fund Investment Priorities for this Council Term (May 2023)
- Community Investment Fund Program Framework
- Report to Regional Council on New Community Investment Fund Program Framework (October 2021)
- Community Supports
- Statistics and Data Resources
