Funding Snapshot

Maximum Award:
$150,000
  • Grants for up 80%* of eligible costs to a maximum of $150,000 for program design studies

 

Open To:

Municipalities with PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy)-enabled legislation in:  

  • Ontario
  • Nova Scotia (flood-related resiliency measures only)
  • Prince Edward Island
  • Saskatchewan
  • Yukon

Eligible applicants include:

  • Canadian municipal governments (e.g., towns, cities, regions, districts and local boards)
  • Organizations applying in partnership with a municipal government, such as:  
  • Municipally owned corporations
  • Regional, provincial or territorial organizations delivering municipal services
  • Not-for-profit organizations
  • Those who are already recipients of Community Efficiency Financing funding for the implementation of PACE financing model
  • Those who have previously set up community efficiency financing, either through GMF or outside of GMF funding and are interested in resiliency add-ons

Note: To qualify, applicants must have an existing or previously designed municipal financing program for home energy upgrades. The proposed study must build on this foundation to include climate adaptation measures.  

 

Expected Output:

Design studies that explore the expansion of municipal financing programs that help homeowners invest in climate adaptation measures—such as flood protection, wildfire mitigation and extreme weather resilience—alongside financing for energy efficiency improvements, like those covered under GMF’s Community Efficiency Financing initiative. These studies will assess how adaption-focused financing can be integrated with or complement existing home energy retrofit programs to provide a holistic approach to climate resilience.  

 

Application Deadline:

The deadline to submit a full application for this funding is January 15, 2026

 *Eligible applicants may receive an additional 10% grant funding by demonstrating a commitment to program excellence. This includes integrating Reconciliation, anti-racism, equity and inclusion into their program design, along with one or more of the following:  

  •    An inclusive engagement strategy
  •   A Build Back Better plan for post-loss support

Why create a program design study? 

A program design study helps municipalities lay the groundwork for a successful climate adaptation financing program. It ensures the program is financially viable, well-structured and aligned with homeowner needs before launching a full-scale program.  

A program design study helps you:  

  • Identify homeowner needs and assess which climate risks impact them most
  • Evaluate homeowner interest and financial barriers to participation
  • Model uptake and cashflow to build confidence in program sustainability
  • Align with municipal policies and develop a roadmap for implementation
  • Build stakeholder and community support to strengthen buy-in and drive participation
  • Partner with private sector lenders to supplement municipal investment
  • Determine what policies, partnerships and administrative tools are needed to ensure success

A well-designed program design study is key for a successful financing program and serves as a critical foundation for applying for our soon-to-be released Residential Resilience Financing Capital Program funding.  

What we fund

Residential Resilience Financing provides funding to help Canadian municipalities develop and implement financing programs that make it easier for homeowners to invest in climate adaptation solutions to protect their homes from extreme weather, flooding, wildfires and other climate risks.  

Municipalities can use this funding to:  

  • Explore options for expanding an existing or in-development Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program to include climate resilience measures
  • Build on a current energy efficiency study to assess local climate hazard impacts and identify opportunities for incorporating resiliency retrofits
  • Define the structure of a financing program that would offer homeowners affordable financing and incentives for retrofits that strengthen their homes against climate hazards (such as storm-resistant roofing, sump pumps and fire-resistant materials)
  • Determine the program delivery model, financing terms, and eligibility criteria for participants
  • Establish the models to leverage private sector investment to expand funding opportunities
  • Identify opportunities to leverage private capital and align with other funding sources or incentive programs
  • Engage key stakeholders—such as insurers, contractors and equity-deserving groups—to inform program design and ensure long-term relevance and reach

For a full list of program design considerations, including eligible measures, funding models and evaluation planning, please refer to the application guide.  

What your project needs to achieve

To qualify for funding, your program design study must demonstrate how it will:  

  • Support homeowners in implementing climate adaptation measures
  • Align with municipal priorities for climate resilience and community safety
  • Build on an existing or previously designed municipal financing program for home energy upgrades by expanding it to include climate adaptation measures.
  • Leverage private investment, where applicable to expand funding opportunities
  • Integrate with existing municipal programs, such as energy efficiency financing
  • Determine resilience measurements of success
  • Identify the target audience (geographic area, types of homes, occupant demographics) and provide a rationale supported by a community level technical climate hazard assessment  
  • Determine the program financing model, process flow and delivery mode.
  • Document outcomes of engagement process with key stakeholders/rights holders or include a plan to fulfill commitments for engagement.
  • Develop a plan for program monitoring and evaluation plan.

For a full list of program design considerations, including equity integration, de-risking strategies and program administration elements, please refer to the application guide.

Eligibility requirements

Eligible costs

See application guide.

What your project must include 

Eligibility criteria Description 
Financing model 
  • Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE)
  • Other financing models, if approved by GMF 
Building types Existing, low-rise residential properties (e.g. detached, semi-detached, row housing and similar) 
Categories of qualifying resiliency improvements 

GMF does not specify particular types of measures to be utilized by a local program. Rather, the applicant is to define an “eligible measures” list pursuant to the following climate hazards:

  • Rain and flooding
  • Extreme heat
  • Severe weather (wind, hail)
  • Wildfire
  • Drought  

A sample list of eligible measures, as well as measures ineligible for financing in Resiliency PACE, is presented in the application guide,

Home assessment GMF recognizes the absence of a standardized assessment tool for resiliency home retrofits (such as EnerGuide). GMF will defer to the applicant to determine how to assess hazard vulnerability at the household level and prescribe retrofit activities.  
Study requirements 
  • Existing energy efficiency PACE program, currently operational or under development
  • Justification or rationale for a selected climate hazard
  • Focus on at least one of the hazards identified in the Categories of qualifying resiliency improvements section above
  • FCM’s evaluation will favour programs that offer the greatest potential for:
    • equitable design by incorporating the principles of reconciliation and anti-racism, equity and inclusion
    • inclusive engagement, providing equal opportunities to participate in decision making
    • a plan to incorporate post-loss resiliency building support 
Exclusions 

Be advised that programs with any of the following characteristics are deemed ineligible:

  • pilot programs
  • programs geared to new construction
  • programs that do not involve municipal participation and buy-in
  • programs in jurisdictions that do not have PACE enabling legislation supporting financing of resiliency measures
  • programs that do not have a financing component (e.g. incentive-only programs)
  • programs exclusively targeted at financing for non-residential buildings (e.g. commercial, industrial)
  • programs that do not address at least one of the hazards identified in the Categories of qualifying resiliency improvements section above 

Required documents

To apply for GMF funding, you must submit:

  • Completed full application form  
  • Project workbook  
  • Project team organizational chart and resumes  
  • Evidence of municipal support: resolution from council or letter of support signed by the mayor on behalf of council, or by the chief administrative officer or city manager, describing the municipality’s commitment to this application
  • A letter from each confirmed funding source specifying the amount of cash contributed and/or the value of any staff time or in-kind contributions to the study or program  
  • Letter of confirmation of consultation with your provincial or territorial government 

Readiness check 

Question 1

Do you represent a Canadian municipality from Ontario, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan, or Yukon?

Question 2

Which of the following best describes your organization?

For profit entities are not eligible. While this funding isn't the right fit, GMF offers other funding, training and resources to support communities in their adaptation journey. 

Check out our resources for practical, hands-on tools and knowledge that can support your project efforts and address municipal challenges.

Sign up for FCM Connect to stay informed about GMF funding, resources and training. 

Discover other GMF funding offered to local governments to fund infrastructure and support a net-zero Canada.

Question 2a

Do you have a partnership in place with a Canadian municipality?

Skip

Question 3

Does your municipality have an existing, under development, or previously designed municipal financing program, for home energy upgrades?

Skip

Question 3a

Does your municipality have an existing, under development, or previously designed municipal financing program, for home energy upgrades?

Skip

Question 4

Is the goal of your program design study intended to expand your existing efficiency program by including resiliency upgrades? 

It sounds like you have the start of an excellent project. We’d like to continue the conversation.  

The next step to confirm your eligibility is to contact a GMF representative. They’ll provide you with next steps and support you in starting your application.

Contact a GMF representative to schedule an appointment:

18774170550

gmfinfo@fcm.ca

Book a meeting with a GMF representative

No recommendation

This funding is intended to support Canadian municipal governments and eligible partners from Ontario, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan, or Yukon. While this funding isn't the right fit, GMF offers other funding, training and resources to support communities in their adaptation journey.

Check out our resources for practical, hands-on tools and knowledge that can support your project efforts and address municipal challenges.

Discover other GMF funding offered to local governments to fund infrastructure and support a net-zero Canada.

Sign up for FCM Connect to stay informed about GMF funding, resources and training. 

No recommendation

Unfortunately, your organization cannot access this funding because you are not partnered with a municipality on this project. While this funding isn't the right fit, GMF offers other funding, training and resources to support communities in their adaptation journey. 

Check out our resources for practical, hands-on tools and knowledge that can support your project efforts and address municipal challenges.

No recommendation

Unfortunately, this funding requires that the municipality is a recipient of a municipal financing program for home energy upgrades. While this funding isn't the right fit, GMF offers other funding, training and resources to support communities in their adaptation journey. 

Check out our resources for practical, hands-on tools and knowledge that can support your project efforts and address municipal challenges.

Discover other GMF funding offered to local governments to fund infrastructure and support a net-zero Canada.

Sign up for FCM Connect to stay informed about GMF funding, resources and training. 

No recommendation

Unfortunately, this funding requires that the municipality is a recipient of a municipal financing program for home energy upgrades. While this funding isn't the right fit, GMF offers other funding, training and resources to support communities in their adaptation journey. 

Check out our resources for practical, hands-on tools and knowledge that can support your project efforts and address municipal challenges.

Discover other GMF funding offered to local governments to fund infrastructure and support a net-zero Canada.

Sign up for FCM Connect to stay informed about GMF funding, resources and training. 

No recommendation

Unfortunately, this funding requires that your program design study includes resilience strategies. While this funding isn't the right fit, GMF offers other funding, training and resources to support communities in their adaptation journey. 

Check out our resources for practical, hands-on tools and knowledge that can support your project efforts and address municipal challenges.

Discover other GMF funding offered to local governments to fund infrastructure and support a net-zero Canada.

Sign up for FCM Connect to stay informed about GMF funding, resources and training. 

No recommendation

This funding is intended to support Canadian municipal governments and eligible partners from Ontario, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan, or Yukon. While this funding isn't the right fit, GMF offers other funding, training and resources to support communities in their adaptation journey.

Check out our resources for practical, hands-on tools and knowledge that can support your project efforts and address municipal challenges.

Discover other GMF funding offered to local governments to fund infrastructure and support a net-zero Canada.

Sign up for FCM Connect to stay informed about GMF funding, resources and training. 

No recommendation

Unfortunately, your organization cannot access this funding because you are not partnered with a municipality on this project. While this funding isn't the right fit, GMF offers other funding, training and resources to support communities in their adaptation journey. 

Check out our resources for practical, hands-on tools and knowledge that can support your project efforts and address municipal challenges.

No recommendation

Unfortunately, this funding requires that the municipality is a recipient of a municipal financing program for home energy upgrades. While this funding isn't the right fit, GMF offers other funding, training and resources to support communities in their adaptation journey. 

Check out our resources for practical, hands-on tools and knowledge that can support your project efforts and address municipal challenges.

Discover other GMF funding offered to local governments to fund infrastructure and support a net-zero Canada.

Sign up for FCM Connect to stay informed about GMF funding, resources and training. 

No recommendation

Unfortunately, this funding requires that the municipality is a recipient of a municipal financing program for home energy upgrades. While this funding isn't the right fit, GMF offers other funding, training and resources to support communities in their adaptation journey. 

Check out our resources for practical, hands-on tools and knowledge that can support your project efforts and address municipal challenges.

Discover other GMF funding offered to local governments to fund infrastructure and support a net-zero Canada.

Sign up for FCM Connect to stay informed about GMF funding, resources and training. 

No recommendation

Unfortunately, this funding requires that your program design study includes resilience strategies. While this funding isn't the right fit, GMF offers other funding, training and resources to support communities in their adaptation journey. 

Check out our resources for practical, hands-on tools and knowledge that can support your project efforts and address municipal challenges.

Discover other GMF funding offered to local governments to fund infrastructure and support a net-zero Canada.

Sign up for FCM Connect to stay informed about GMF funding, resources and training. 


Application process

Below is an overview of the application process to reach a funding decision.

Phase 1: Review the funding webpage and complete the Readiness Check to determine if you could be eligible for funding and to learn about next steps. Please see the application guide for complete instructions.

Phase 2: Contact a GMF representative

After you have completed the Readiness Check and have determined your eligibility, please contact a GMF representative to discuss your project and obtain the necessary information to complete the next steps.  

Contact a GMF representative to schedule an appointment:

1-877-417-0550

gmfinfo@fcm.ca

Book a meeting with a GMF representative

Phase 3: Prepare your application

To apply for funding, you must submit:

  • A Completed full application form  
  • Project workbook  
  • Project team organizational chart and resumes  
  • Evidence of municipal support: resolution from council or letter of support signed by the mayor on behalf of council, or by the chief administrative officer or city manager, describing the municipality’s commitment to this application
  • A letter from each confirmed funding source specifying the amount of cash contributed and/or the value of any staff time or in-kind contributions to the study or program  
  • Letter of confirmation of consultation with your provincial or territorial government  

Phase 4: Full application submission

Once you have completed the required documents, you will submit them, along with any required supporting documentation. Only applications that are complete when the application window closes will be considered for this round of funding.

It is important to note that even if a project is deemed eligible to move forward with a full application, it does not guarantee that the project will be approved for funding.  

As you work though the required documents, please refer to the application guide and contact a GMF representative if you have any questions.

Phase 5: GMF internal review

Once the application form is submitted, a GMF project officer will be assigned to your file and will review your application for accuracy and completeness. Officer will work with you to resolve any remaining questions and be your point of contact throughout the remainder of the application and funding-decision process.  

Phase 6: Funding decision

GMF will use robust review processes to make funding decisions.  


How to apply

  • Complete the Readiness check.
  • Download and review the application guide.  
  • Contact a GMF representative to discuss your project and receive the application form at gmfinfo@fcm.ca or 1-877-417-0550.  
  • Review the required documents to ensure you have the necessary information needed to complete them.
  • Complete the application form and submit along with the other required documentation as outlined in the application guide before the deadline.  

Need help to see if this is the right funding for you?

Contact our Outreach team who can answer any questions you have relating to this funding opportunity.

Learn more about the Local Leadership for Climate Adaptation initiative. 

Discover the ways GMF is supporting local governments and communities to become more resilient to climate change impacts.