Grants Impact

Living Lakes Canada (LLC) received a their second grant from the Sleeman Better Water Fund to support its work protecting freshwater in Canada. Their approach brings together community science, Indigenous knowledge, and research to help keep Canadian lakes and watersheds healthy, especially as climate change has increased pressure on these fragile ecosystems. As climate-related events…

The YMCA of Three Rivers received a 2024 Community Grant to support their program, Safe Sisters. This is program is a free, weekly drop-in program for girls and female-identifying youth that builds belonging, confidence, and life skills through meaningful conversation, shared meals, and creative activities. The program ran in three locations: The Guelph Y, The…

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…

The Guelph Film Festival (GFF) received a 2024 Musagetes Grant to support its annual celebration of documentary film and community dialogue. This funding helped cover operational costs, especially supporting the work of staff who bring the festival’s vision to life. In November 2024, GFF hosted its 27th edition with nine days of screenings, talkbacks, and…

Small Change Fund, in partnership with The Guelph Outdoor School, received a 2024 Community Grant to support their project Next Child in the Woods, an initiative focused on expanding access to green spaces and inclusive outdoor mentorship programs for children and youth in Guelph. This grant helped the program grow to meet the community’s need…

The Elora Centre for the Arts received a 2024 Community Grant to support their Community Connections Through Art program, which offers visual arts education to students with (dis)abilities across schools in Centre Wellington. Led by artist and educator Eileen MacArthur, the program brings inclusive, accessible art sessions directly into classrooms at schools including Elora Public…

United for Literacy received a grant from our 2024 Community Grants program to support their Free Literacy Programming for Guelph and Wellington Children and Youth. This program offers free tutoring and literacy support to children and youth who may not otherwise have access to extra help outside of school. It is part of United for…

Chalmers Community Services Centre received a 2024 Community Grant to support their Café Gatherings, a warm and welcoming program that helps people feel included and connected. This program is more than just a place for locals to grab a snack. Chalmers Community Services Centre offers a friendly space where individuals and families facing food insecurity,…

Easter Seals Ontario’s Equipment Funding Program received a grant from our 2024 Community Grants program to support their work with children and youth in Guelph living with physical disabilities. The Funding Program helps families purchase vital mobility and accessibility equipment such as wheelchairs, walkers, ramps, lifts, and specialized seating. These items are often not fully…

Accepting Applications: Monday September 29 – November 3, 2025 On behalf of Sleeman Breweries, the Guelph Community Foundation is proud to be able to administer this grant application process for and distributes funds from the Sleeman Better Water Fund. Sleeman Breweries selects successful applicants and awards funds to those selected. The Sleeman Better Water Fund supports non-profit…

The Guelph Community Foundation and our fundholders are proud to announce our 2025 scholarship and bursary recipients. Eighteen outstanding Guelph and Wellington County graduating students have been recently awarded scholarships and bursaries set up by generous community fundholders to help these local students achieve their academic goals. Many of these scholarships and bursaries support students…

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…

We are thrilled to have been able to help distribute the $40,000 from The Sleeman Better Water Fund: an annual grant to support Canadian water conservation and clean water accessibility. To celebrate World Water Day we’re joining with our partners at Sleeman Breweries in announcing the 2025 recipients of the Sleeman Better Water Fund! We’re…

$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…

Accepting Applications: Monday September 9, 2024 – October 4, 2024 On behalf of Sleeman Breweries, the Guelph Community Foundation is proud to be able to administer this grant application process for and distributes funds from the Sleeman Better Water Fund. Sleeman Breweries selects successful applicants and awards funds to those selected. The Sleeman Better Water Fund supports…

For the final story in our 2023 #GCFGrantStories series, we spotlight Community Grant recipient Wyndham House, which received funding for its Youth Transportation Program. 100% of the youth Wyndham House serves live in poverty, are mainly isolated, and cannot afford day-to-day transportation. Their needs continue to grow substantially, so staff buy an additional 100+ bus…

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.…

Today in our #GCFGrantStories series, we feature Community Grant recipient Big Brothers Big Sisters of Guelph (BBBSG), which received funding for its In-School Mentoring Program. The In-School Mentoring Program pairs at-risk youth with an adult volunteer mentor as a role model and friend to help them realize their full potential. For approximately an hour each…

Today in our #GCFGrantStories series, we feature Community Grant recipient Hopewell Children’s Homes (HCH), which received funding for its Hopewell/YMCA Community Partnership Program for Inclusion, Well-being & Improved Health Outcomes. HCH works with individuals with a range of physical and developmental abilities and help their residents in reaching their maximum level of achievement and independence.…

Next up in our #GCFGrantStories series is Community Grant recipient Guelph Neighbourhood Support Coalition (GNSC), which received funding for its Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Program. 100% of the received funds went towards books for local children 0 to five years old. For $45 per child per year, each child received a high-quality, age-appropriate book in…

Today in our #GCFGrantStories series is Community Grant recipient Elora Centre for the Arts (ECFTA), which received funding for The Nest! Community Outreach Program. The Nest! is designed to support local youth ages 10+ seeking to re-engage and reconnect with their peers in a safe, creative, and nurturing space. It is an open-flow, gender-diverse space…

Next up in our #GCFGrantStories series is Community Grant recipient Guelph Community Singers (GCS), which received funding for its Singing is Pure Joy Program. According to its website, GCS Guelph Community Singers is a fun-loving, accessible, and secular community choir with over 100 voices. After the first wave of the pandemic, the choir pivoted from…

Next up in our #GCFGrantStories series, we spotlight Community Grant recipient Seed, Soil and Spirit School, which received funding for its Herbal Immersion Program. Seed, Soil and Spirit School is a plant medicine school for Black, Indigenous, racialized, and allied people who love plants and healing justice. “Community-led” and a “labour of love,” the school…

Today in our #GCFGrantStories series, we spotlight Community Grant recipient Royal City Mission (RCM) which received funding for its Community Drop-In Meal Program. RCM is a food security and relief agency in Guelph that ensures that everyone, regardless of socio-economic status, has access to the nutrition they need to survive by serving lunch five days…

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…