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Community Development Assistance Fund

Each year, the Town of Marathon supports the valuable work of local community groups and volunteers by offering financial and in-kind assistance through the Community Development Assistance Fund (CDAF).

CDAF supports:

  • Projects needing initial financial support or “seed money” to attract funding from other levels of government or the private sector.
  • Initiatives with a direct, measurable economic benefit to Marathon.
  • Events that need early-stage monetary support with potential to become self-sustaining.

There are two (2) different streams of the CDAF program:

Group 1 - Community Development Initiatives Project

This stream is for:

  • Projects seeking initial funding to encourage investment from other sources.
  • Initiatives that will have a positive economic impact on the community.

To be considered for financial assistance under Group 1, community groups or organizations must:

  1. Submit a completed application to the CDAF Granting Committee by November 30 of the current year for consideration in the next budget cycle.
  2. Make a presentation to the CDAF Committee if requested.
  3. Have been in existence for at least six (6) months.
  4. Be incorporated (if appropriate).
  5. Be a not-for-profit organization or not-for-profit in nature.
  6. Contribute funding, materials, or in-kind support toward the project.
  7. Provide a business plan with detailed cost estimates.
  8. Submit a written report within 2 months of project completion outlining how the assistance was used.
  9. Provide financial statements upon request.
  10. Return any unused funds, unless otherwise approved in writing by the CDAF Granting Committee.
  11. Disclose all other sources of funding, donations, or in-kind services.
  12. Demonstrate a commitment to community partnership-building.
  13. Acknowledge the Town of Marathon as a project sponsor in all marketing and advertising.

Projects in this category may include:

  • Community festivals
  • Sports tournaments
  • Cultural or arts events
  • Regional or local competitions

Once your Community Development Assistance Fund (CDAF) application is received:

  • The CDAF Granting Committee will review it to determine if it is complete or if additional information is required.
  • Within 3–7 business days, you will be notified whether your application is complete or if further documentation is needed.
  • Once deemed complete, your application will proceed to full review by the Committee.

The CDAF Granting Committee is responsible for:

  • Reviewing and evaluating all financial assistance requests.
  • Administering approved financial contributions.
  • Coordinating the overall CDAF program.
Committee Members:
  • 1 Member of Council
  • Community Services & Communications Manager
  • Economic Development Officer
  • Chief Administrative Officer/Clerk – Ex-officio

You can apply online via the link below.

Apply Here

Group 2 – Community Social Development Initiatives Project

For:

  • Small-scale community initiatives with a social or recreational focus.
  • Funding requests up to $500.

Examples may include:

  • Donations toward community events
  • Recreation or facility passes
  • Modest contributions to local programming

To qualify for monetary assistance under Group 2, the following criteria must be met:

  • The maximum funding request is $500.
  • Eligible requests typically include items like recreation passes or small financial donations.

Community groups or organizations must:

  • Submit a written request to the Town of Marathon CDAF by November 30th of the current year.
  • Outline:
    • The event or initiative being planned.
    • The specific items the funding would cover.
    • The anticipated outcomes and benefits if the assistance is granted.

Examples of Eligible Events:

  • Community fundraisers.
  • Sports events, tournaments, and bonspiels.
  • Recreation-based community activities.

Once your CDAF application is submitted:

  • The CDAF Granting Committee will review it to determine if it is complete.
  • Within 3–7 business days, you will be notified:
    • If your application is complete, or
    • If additional information is required.

All completed applications will be reviewed by the Committee for further consideration.

CDAF Granting Committee Members
  • One (1) Member of Council
  • Community Services & Communications Manager
  • Economic Development Officer
  • Chief Administrative Officer/Clerk – Ex-officio
Committee Responsibilities:

The CDAF Granting Committee is responsible for:

  • Reviewing and evaluating assistance requests
  • Administering approved financial contributions
  • Coordinating the overall Community Development Assistance Fund (CDAF)
Important Note for Group 2 Applicants

Some Group 2 – Community Social Development Initiatives Projects may still qualify for funding even if a request was submitted after November 30th.

To be considered under this exception, the applicant must clearly demonstrate:

  • Limited knowledge or awareness of the CDAF program.
  • Limited planning time for the event in question.

 You can apply online via the link below.

 Apply Here

Contact Us

Town of Marathon
P.O. Box "TM" 4 Hemlo Drive
Marathon, ON P0T 2E0
Main: 807-229-1340
Fax: 807-229-1999

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