City of waterloo neighbourhoods: strong and connected.

Start planning your application to the Neighbourhood Fund

Get up to $7,500 for your idea to bring the neighbourhood together!

The next deadline for the 2026 Neighbourhood Fund is on October 14 at 2 p.m., and it's never too early to start planning.

Need inspiration? Here are some ideas to get you started.

Organize a neighbourhood choir and set up weekly choir nights.
Plan a neighbourhood dance party.
Celebrate winter by gathering at an outdoor rink while sipping on hot chocolate.

Learn more about the Neighbourhood Fund.

A group of people outside in the dark, holding lights and choir sheets.

Get involved

Surprise a kind neighbour

Have a neighbour who inspires you with their kindness? It could be as simple as a neighbour watering your plants when you're away, to a neighbour who waves hello every morning.

Tell us about them by nominating them as a kind neighbour and we'll send them a special thank you package!

Nominations are open year-round.

Handpainted wooden sign hanging that reads be kind

More ways to get involved

Explore all the Community Adult Recreation Leagues (CARL) that the City has to offer! Sign up as a team, with a neighbour, or on your own.
Learn more about the 10,000 tree project and which parks near your neighbourhood are getting more trees.

A chalk message on the ground that you are enough just as you are with flowers and grass drawn

🙂 Smile Corner 🙂

A neighbour submitted this thoughtful message to share with everyone: You are enough just as you are!

Submit a photo and a caption by replying to this email, and we may feature it in the Smile Corner of our next newsletter!

Get inspired

Get to know your neighbours!

Neighbours around in Waterloo have been hosting socials to get to know each other while enjoying the beautiful summer days.

In Westvale, neighbours hosted a community picnic in the park, with fun activities like face painting, food trucks, lawn games and more.

Lawn games set up on grass with neighbours playing with them.

A few people standing on grass outside with tables full of food.

In Dalecroft, neighbours gathered for their annual get-together where they enjoyed games, food and the sunshine!

Want to do something similar? Both of these events were supported by the mini grant. Apply and get up to $300 to support your idea!

Get in the know

Are you registered to vote?

To get ready for the municipal election on October 26, make sure you are registered to vote. You should check if your name and address are correct and confirm your school board support designation.

You may need to update your information if you've moved, changed your name, or are voting for the first time.

For university and college students: if you live away from home, you may be able to vote in both your home and school municipalities.

More things to know

July 17 to 19: The Uptown Waterloo Jazz Festival
The Waterloo Public Library's McCormick Branch is going to be closed starting on August 24 for a major expansion project.
Check out the City of Waterloo Museum's free Iron Willed exhibition with a neighbour - it's an interactive journey through history about women in STEM.
Learn more about reporting Hate Incidents or Discrimination: involving Islamophobia, Racism, Anti-Immigrant Sentiment and religion, disability, sexual orientation, or ethnicity.

July diversity calendar

Source: Canadian Centre for Diversity & Inclusion's Diversity Ink Newsletter

Disability Pride Month

Tibetan Heritage Month (Ontario)

July 1: Canada Day

July 9: Nunavut Day

July 10: Martyrdom of the Báb

July 14: International Non-Binary People's Day

July 15: World Youth Skills Day

July 18: Chökhor Düchen

July 18: Nelson Mandela Day

July 22 (sundown) - July 23: Tisha B’Av

July 24: International Self-Care Day

July 28: World Hepatitis Day

July 28: Day of Commemoration of the Great Upheaval

July 29: Asalha Puja (Dharma Day)

Waterloo Neighbourhoods is published throughout the year to keep residents informed about the good things happening in neighbourhoods across Waterloo. If you’re reading Waterloo Neighbourhoods as a non-subscriber, visit our subscription page to sign up for future editions.

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