Community Shaping Grant

We're awarding up to $25,000 to projects that help southwestern Ontario communities thrive.

About this grant

As a mutual insurer, we're only as strong as the communities we serve. The AFM Community Shaping Grant is our way of putting that belief into action — funding projects that help communities across southwestern Ontario grow, connect, and thrive.

We're not looking to fund what your organization would do anyway. We want to help you do something new, expanded, or elevated. Dream bigger. Shape your community into something better.

Who can apply

The grant is open to registered non-profits and registered charities doing meaningful work in the communities AFM serves across southwestern Ontario. Your organization's home base doesn't need to be local — but the impact of your project must be felt here.

• Registered non-profit organizations in good standing
• Registered charities in good standing
• Project impact must benefit communities that Ayr Farmers Mutual serves
• Organization must be able to proceed with project shortly after receiving funding
• Organization must not be dependent on this grant to continue regular operations

What we're looking to fund

We're looking for projects that go beyond the status quo. Whatever shape it takes — a new community program, an expanded service, an elevated experience — it should represent a meaningful step forward for the people it serves.

Net new, expanded, or elevated

The funded work should be something your organization wouldn't undertake without this support. New programs, meaningful expansions, or upgrades that change what's possible.

Genuine community need

There's a real gap or opportunity your project addresses. You can articulate clearly who benefits and how.

Clear plan and timeline

You have a solid project plan and can proceed shortly after receiving the funds. Impact reporting is required — we want to tell your story.

Open and accessible

The project is available to the community it serves — not restricted by membership, affiliation, or exclusivity.

Reflects our shared values

Relationships, communication, teamwork, enthusiasm, integrity, and stewardship. These are the values AFM was built on, and they should be visible in your work.

Community-rooted

The impact is felt in the communities where AFM's policyholders live and work across southwestern Ontario.

How it works

1. Submit your application

Complete the application form between July 1 and August 31, 2026. Tell us about your organization, your project, and how it will make a difference.

2. Applications are reviewed

An internal committee reviews all applications against the grant criteria. The process is designed to be fair, consistent, and grounded.

3. Recipients are notified

Grant recipients will be notified directly in mid-October 2026. All applicants will hear from us.

4. Tell us what happened

Recipients submit an impact report within 60 days of project completion, or by December 31 of the grant year — whichever comes first. We'll provide a template to make this easy. Your story may be featured in AFM's Annual Report.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can we apply if our organization is based outside of southwestern Ontario

  Yes. Your organization doesn't need to be headquartered here, but the project you're applying for must benefit communities in southwestern Ontario where AFM policyholders live and work.

• Can we apply for a portion of the $25,000?
  Yes. The total grant available is up to $25,000, which may be awarded to one project or split across several. Apply for what your project actually needs — there's no minimum or maximum per application.
• Can we apply if we've received funding from AFM before?
  Yes. If you have received funding from AFM in the past, you're still welcome to apply. Each application is evaluated on its own merits. Priority is given to new organizations and projects, though strong returning applications are always considered.
• Our organization runs ongoing programs — can we apply?
  The grant is designed to fund something new, expanded, or elevated — not routine programming your organization would deliver regardless of this funding. If you're looking to meaningfully grow or change what you offer, we want to hear from you.
• Do we need to be an AFM policyholder to apply?
  No. The grant is open to eligible non-profits and charities regardless of whether they have a relationship with AFM.
• What does the impact report involve?
  We'll give you a simple template. We want to know what you did, who it reached, and what changed because of it. Nothing complicated — we just want to be able to tell your story.
• Will all applicants hear back?
  Yes. Whether your application is successful or not, we'll be in touch by mid-October.

Resources

• AFM Community Shaping Grant Business Plan Template (DocX)
• AFM Community Shaping Grant Business Plan Template (Downloadable Fillable PDF)
• AFM Community Shaping Grant Impact Report Sample Questions (PDF)

How we'll celebrate your work

Grant recipients are asked to recognize AFM as a proud community supporter and to share the story of their project. This might look like a mention on your social channels, a note in your newsletter, or a quote we can use in ours. We'll work with you on this — it should feel natural, not like a box to check.

Your impact report may be featured in AFM's Annual Report and across our communication channels. We want your community to know what you built.