The Guelph Community Foundation (GCF) and the Children’s Foundation of Guelph and Wellington (CFGW) are pleased to announce a new partnership that will expand access to summer camp experiences for children and youth in Guelph and Wellington County whose families are facing financial barriers to participation. This collaboration builds on the success of a one-year pilot in 2025, when GCF’s Kids to Camp grants were distributed through the CFGW’s Free to Grow program to directly support kids attending camp. In it’s first year, this collaborative pilot demonstrated strong impact: as the GCF transferred grants from three endowed funds to Free to Grow enabling 100 local children to attend summer camp.
This new approach streamlines the local pathway to financial assistance for campers and their families and increases efficiency for participating camps that no longer need to apply for camp subsidy funding through GCF. Additionally, the families experienced greater choice in local camp offerings. CFGW will continue to provide annual impact reporting to GCF, ensuring transparency for GCF fundholders and demonstrating the benefits their generosity has for local families. The Guelph Community Foundation and the Children’s Foundation are so pleased to continue this partnership so that as many kids as possible have the chance to go to camp!
“We are grateful for our generous fundholders who know firsthand the positive effects children experience from getting a chance to go to camp,” said Sarah Haanstra, Executive Director at The Guelph Community Foundation.
“This new partnership with the Children’s Foundation will not only reduce an administrative burden for charities, but it will also make it easier for more families and their campers to access to camp subsidies.”
“This partnership reflects a shared belief that every child deserves opportunities that build belonging, spark learning and fun, and support healthy development,” said Karyn Kirkwood, Executive Director at the Children’s Foundation.
“Collaboration across the charitable sector is one of the most powerful ways we can remove barriers for kids. By working together, we’re creating more seamless, equitable pathways for children to grow and thrive, and CFGW is proud to help lead that work alongside the Guelph Community Foundation in our community.”
