Donor Stories

Next up in our #GCFGrantStories series is Community Grant recipient Elora House, which received funding for its Rebuild Project, described as “a journey to build towards self-reliance, resilience, and overall well-being.” Elora House is a three-stage recovery centre offering programs and services focused on rest, therapy, education, and job training post-sex trafficking. These services can…

KidzCreate Grant Story By Judith Rosenberg – Founder & Director, Spark of Brilliance (2005 Musagetes Fund grant ) – “It’s like trying to put a square peg in a round hole”, explained a frustrated mother of her beautiful young daughter with autism. “Our kids just don’t fit”.Parents and other stakeholders from the special needs community along with representatives from the mainstream…

Focus on Nature’s Fresh Perspectives photography exhibit brought together students, families, teachers, local leaders, and the wider community to celebrate the amazing work of young photographers across Guelph. The exhibit showcased 60 “Best of the Best” photos taken by students in workshops and camps. These were displayed over two installments, with 30 photographs displayed at…

Quebec based charity, Fondation Rivières, received $35,000 from the Sleeman Better Water Fund in early 2025 to strengthen its work on improving water quality in the Rivière du Nord. Since this time they have been working closely with the mayors of 28 municipalities to reduce wastewater pollution and improve water quality in the river so…

Mentoring young musicians is one of the mandates of the Guelph Symphony Orchestra (GSO); thus the launch of the GSOKids Club in the fall of 2012 comes as no surprise. Building on the success of the Guelph Youth Symphony Orchestra, this free, season-long program was designed for children between 6 and 12 years of age. Recent grants from…

$110,000+ of funds given to 24 local charities through Community Grants & Kids to Camp! The Foundation received a record number of 75 applications this year. These applications highlighted both the increase in demands placed on Guelph and Wellington County’s local charities, and the incredible work that is being done by these organizations. We are…

The Guelph Community Foundation and its fundholders are proud to announce our 2025 Musagetes Fund recipients. The funding decision to distribute $64,000 to sixteen charitable organizations in Guelph and Wellington County was made late last month. Since 2004, this donor advised granting stream has been providing grants to non-profits that provide contemporary art and culture…

Next up in our #GCFGrantStories series, we spotlight Community Grant recipient The Grove Hubs, which received funding for The Guelph and Wellington Grove Outreach Program. The Grove Hubs provide youth with mental health and wellness programs and services in a safe space. The Outreach Program connected the Grove Youth Ambassador team with youth across Guelph.…

Guelph Arts Council (GAC) received a 2024 Musagetes Fund operational grant to help them achieve their mission of making the arts more accessible for underrepresented communities in Guelph and Wellington County. The project focused on supporting BIPOC and LGBTQ2S+ artists and audiences, creating more space for connection, and inclusion in the local arts scene. This…

A fledgling youth orchestra received a boost through an innovative partnership and support.  In 2011, the Guelph Symphony Orchestra (GSO) and Guelph Youth Music Centre (GYMC) teamed up to provide financial backing and ongoing mentorship to 32 Guelph-area youth in striking a new Guelph Youth Symphony Orchestra. A grant of $6,000 through The Guelph Community Foundation’s Musagetes Fund – dedicated to performing,…

Today in our #GCFGrantStories series, we spotlight the Guelph Black Heritage Society (GBHS), which received funding for its #ChangeStartsNow Digital Archive Project through The Guelph Community Foundation’s Musagetes Fund. The #ChangeStartsNow Educational initiative provides educational programming on Black history and culture, as well as relevant resources on diversity and discrimination. The initiative’s new Digital Archive…

Immigrating and becoming a new Canadian is a significant change and many women feel isolated as they begin a new life in a completely different culture. The Guelph Community Health Centre was granted $3,000 from the Musagetes Fund for the Helping Hands for Arts & Culture program, supporting women from different backgrounds. This initiative provided opportunity for women to meet others in…