Arts Culture and Heritage Fund (ACHF) Grant Program Sets Dates for 2024 Funding Rounds
The City of Windsor will soon begin accepting applications for the first of two 2024 funding rounds for the Arts, Culture & Heritage Fund (ACHF) grant program. This funding stream awards project grants to deserving individuals and cultural organizations to help stimulate creative and economic growth in Windsor, contributing to a prosperous economy and to making Windsor an attractive and affordable place to live. Completion of funded projects often results in assets, products, programs and initiatives being available for public engagement. From films to photography collections, novels to performances, exhibitions to virtual programs, the ACHF makes a difference in the community by supporting local, innovative and creative works and initiatives.
Once again this year, $118,000 will be awarded, with $59,000 available in each of two funding rounds. To date, the ACHF program has awarded $950,000 in grant funding to 436 individual arts, culture and heritage projects in Windsor.
2024 Funding Rounds Set:
The ACHF program is fully accessible through the online platform at www.ACHFWindsor.ca. The application link goes live when each application round opens. Applicants have the ability to complete the application, attach supporting documents and materials, and submit and receive confirmation of their submission online.
- ACHF 2024 Round 1: Applications accepted from Monday, January 15, 2024, to Friday, February 9, 2024, at 5:00 p.m.
- ACHF 2024 Round 2: Applications accepted from Monday, June 24, 2024, to Friday, July 19, 2024, at 5:00 p.m.
Mandatory Consultation:
In order to be considered, applicants must be residents of Windsor and consult with Culture staff prior to submitting a project for funding, and before the application deadline. Consultations are conducted via email, once application rounds open, and help ensure applicants and projects meet program eligibility requirements in advance of applicants taking time to complete an application. Interested applicants should email culturalaffairs@citywindsor.ca for a consultation.
Virtual Public Information Session
To assist first-time ACHF applicants, a virtual public information session will be offered Wednesday, January 24, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. During this session, a program coordinator will review the guidelines, key priorities and objectives, and the application and adjudication process. Attendance is not mandatory, and this session is intended for first-time applicants only. Those wishing to attend will need to RSVP to receive a link and password to facilitate participation. Please RSVP to culturalaffairs@citywindsor.ca by email.
Ongoing Opportunity for Sponsor, Donor, Community-Builders with the ACHF:
As the ACHF program continues to evolve, the City invites support from those individuals, organizations, businesses and corporations that have expressed an interest in supporting arts, culture and heritage in Windsor in the past. There are two possible opportunities for partnership between sponsors, donors and community-builders in connection with the ACHF grant program.
Those who wish to register as a Patron will be provided with information on funded ACHF projects that are seeking additional funding support to realize their project goals and increase community impact. City staff will facilitate a meeting between interested parties to see what possibilities exist.
Those who wish to register to become an ACHF Partner will have the opportunity to donate a funding amount to the ACHF funding stream, which will increase available funding in a given round, thus increasing opportunities for additional creators and projects to receive funding. The ACHF Jury will adjudicate all funding requests, and City staff will work with ACHF Partners to determine the best fit for donations in any given round.
Those wishing to take advantage of this unique opportunity to direct support to Windsor’s arts, culture and heritage creative community are asked to reach out to culturalaffairs@citywindsor.ca to begin the conversation.
Quotes:
“For the third year in a row, $118,000 will be awarded to individuals and organizations through the City’s ACHF program, helping us to build on Windsor’s proud history of investment in our creative community. The results of the program speak for themselves, with $950,000 in funding awarded to over four hundred and thirty innovative projects since the program launched. The ACHF program is one of many components of Council’s overall significant investment in arts, culture and heritage in Windsor. I look forward to seeing which creators and projects are chosen this time around to help build our city up through creative works and initiatives.” - Mayor Drew Dilkens
“We remain very proud of the ACHF program, and grateful for Council’s ongoing support and investment into this important initiative. As always, we’re encouraging creatives to seek funding for projects that will make a difference in our community, and we look forward to seeing a fresh and exciting batch of proposals come through.”
- Michelle Staadegaard, Manager of Culture and Events
Further details on the ACHF program objectives, application process, eligibility requirements, consultations and current deadlines are available online at www.ACHFWindsor.ca. To learn more about culture and heritage services at the City of Windsor, visit www.CityWindsor.ca or contact 311.