Every grant has an impact, and every impact has a story. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, local organizations across Guelph and Wellington County are creating opportunities, strengthening connections, supporting wellbeing, and inspiring positive change. These stories highlight the people, programs, and partnerships behind the grants, and the meaningful difference they are making in our community every day.
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Pollination garden beautifies Hospice site
A community grant of $2,750 to Pollination Guelph, a local charity, helped fund the second phase of a multi-year project to transform the Hospice Wellington site into an attractive, diverse and sustainable landscape that complements the spirit and work of the organization. In September 2012, volunteers with Pollination Guelph and Hospice Wellington planted over 300 perennials and flowering…
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Youth for Inclusion
“Moving to a new school is difficult enough for youth, now imagine being new to the country, city, neighbourhood, and having to function in a second language”, says Roya Rabbani, Executive Director of Immigrant Services – Guelph Wellington. Each year, through its various programs, Immigrant Services Guelph Wellington serves more than 900 newcomers to Guelph and Wellington, many…
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Guelph Based Orchestra Strikes a Chord With Youth
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,…
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Healthy Food for Everyone
Each year, The Guelph Community Foundation invites requests for funding from charitable organizations within Guelph and Wellington County. Charitable organizations deliver the services and champion the causes that make our community thrive. Whether it is recreation opportunities for children, meals for the hungry, end of life care, or culture for the soul, our not-for-profit sector makes it all happen. The…
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Julien Project Grows Roots at Our Lady of Lourdes CHS
(2009 Building Vital Communities Grant) ‘What does a healthy plant look like and if a plant is going to do well, what does it need to have to stay healthy?’. This is a question that is asked to participants at the Julien Project going into its 4th growing season. The Julien Project, which recently received a…
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Living on Less
(2009 Building Vital Communities) – Given that Guelph has been named as one of the best cities in Canada to live, you may be surprised to learn that 15 percent of Guelph and Wellington’s families with children live in poverty. Living on Less workshops began as a pilot outreach project at St. James Apostle Church to help people…
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Young Parents Program
(2008 GCF Children & Youth Fund) – Twelve parents (ages 15-24) and ten children (ages 6 and under) gather in Fergus for the Young Parents Resource Night offered by the Community Resource Centre of North and Centre Wellington (CRC). This weekly program provides young moms and dads with opportunities to develop skills in parenting, health and safety, nutrition,…
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Guelph CHC: Helping Hands for Arts and Culture
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…
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Empowering and Shaping Children With Special Needs: KidzCreate
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…
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It’s All About the Kids!
(2005 Guelph Mercury Kids-to-Camp Fund): This past Thanksgiving, the Guelph Mercury successfully revived the historic Thanksgiving Day Races. Over 300 runners and walkers participated and over 1000 people took in the festivities of the Family Fun Day on a perfect fall day. At the end of the day, $2500 was raised for the Guelph Mercury Kids to Camp…
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Providing Shade to School Grounds
(2004 Sanctuary Woods Fund) – In 2004, The Guelph Community Foundation’s Sanctuary Woods Fund granted $1,350 to Fred A. Hamilton Public School and $1,350 to Jean Little Public School for the purchase of trees. Many schools, particularly in new subdivisions have very little [if any] trees on the property and sun exposure during two 15 minute recess breaks and…
