KENILWORTH – Wellington North council has approved more than $36,000 worth of community grants and donations for 2025.
A staff report included in the Dec. 2 council meeting agenda listed more than 40 recommended grants and fee waivers for a wide variety of projects by various community organizations, while at the same time providing details about the township’s updated Grants and Donations Community Development Fund program.
“It’s a really great report to highlight a lot of the volunteer organizations that contribute to our community,” councillor Sherry Burke said during the meeting.
Grant amounts ranged from $220 at the low end up to $2,500 at the upper end, with some organizations receiving varying amounts for multiple projects.
For example, the Mount Forest Lions Club made the list five times for a total of $3,000 in funding. The Arthur Optimist Club is also getting $3,000 in funding, with $500 listed for the Arthur Seniors Hall and $2,500 earmarked for Canada Day celebrations.
In August, council approved changes to the grants and donations program, creating two distinct streams for the program: a cash stream for signature events, local events and special activities, and a “waiver of fees” stream for programs, local events, special activities and discretionary in-year budget donations, the report stated.
The overall budget for the program for 2025 is $40,000, with $3,000 reserved for in-year donations, it said.
The application deadline was bumped to Sept. 30 in order to consider applications as part of the 2025 budget process.
There is a maximum of $2,500 allocated within the cash stream for “signature events,” including the Louise Marshall Hospital Foundation gala, the Mount Forest Fireworks Festival, and the Arthur Optimists’ Canada Day celebrations.
Local events and special activities could receive a maximum of $1,000 in cash or fee waivers, and programs could get a maximum of $1,000 through the fee waivers stream.
“By setting maximum dollar and waiver of fee amounts, staff anticipated the opportunity to support a greater number of programs, events and activities,” the report stated.
The township received a total of 46 applications by the Sept. 30 deadline, requesting a total of $49,454 in funding.
“This compares to 2024, when the program had 41 applications totalling $107,687,” the report stated.
“The significant drop in the amount requested year-to-year can be attributed to applicants recognizing the maximum amount their specific event or program is eligible for, at the time of applying.”
Of the 46 applications, 12 received less than their requested funding amount, and two were referred to the Wellington North Cultural Roundtable for funding through a different program.
Two applications did not make the list of those recommended for funding.
A request for a fee waiver of $282 for the Arthur Chamber of Commerce AGM was deemed not suitable, with the report stating the organization receives $2,500 annually from the township as part of a memorandum of understanding.
A request of $444 for a use-of-space fee waiver for the Mount Forest Lions Club to host Breakfast with Santa was also turned down, with the report noting the club received support for five events totalling $3,000.
In all, 42 grants totalling $36,665 were approved.
For the full list, see the Wellington North Dec. 2 council meeting package online at wellington-north.com.
