Provincial Anti-Hate Security & Prevention Grant Now Accepting Applications

The Ontario government is investing $25.5 million over two years to help address the rise of hate incidents against religious and minority groups. The Anti-Hate Security and Prevention Grant will help faith-based and cultural organizations enhance or implement measures to ensure community spaces remain safe and secure. The deadline to apply for this grant is Tuesday, October 24 through the online application form.

The grant will provide up to $10,000 to help religious groups, Indigenous communities, and cultural communities better protect and secure their facilities from hate-motivated incidents, graffiti, vandalism, or other damage. Grant funding can be used for things such as building upgrades, enhancing locks, installing cameras, training staff, completing security assessments, introducing safer cybersecurity measures, hiring short-term professional security personnel, and making repairs.

Since 2021, the government has allocated $40 million through the Ontario Grant to Support Anti-Hate Security Measures for Faith-Based and Cultural Organizations. The redesigned Anti-Hate Security and Prevention Grant will now cover the cost of additional prevention and capacity-building measures and allow for more organizations to apply.

Eligible organizations include:

• Religious and spiritual communities (e.g., mosques, synagogues, temples, churches, etc.)
• First Nations, Inuit, Métis, and urban Indigenous organizations
• Cultural groups (e.g., 2SLGBTQQIA+ groups, Black, Asian, and other diverse organizations offering programs, workshops, and ceremonies that promote their communities’ cultures)

For more information, please contact Tim Simmonds, City Manager at 519-376-4440 ext. 1210 or email tsimmonds@owensound.ca

Quick Facts:

• Eligible applicants must host regular gatherings (i.e., at least once a month) of religious, spiritual, or cultural significance (including ceremonies, congregations, classes, events, etc.)
• To date, the Ontario Grant to Support Anti-Hate Security Measures for Faith-Based and Cultural Organizations provided funding to more than 1,200 faith-based and cultural organizations to protect communities against hate.

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