ELORA – Centre Wellington council has allocated at total of $113,000 to 34 community groups.
The funding, awarded on March 24, provides financial support to organizations deemed to foster, strengthen and stimulate community appreciation and participation and enhance the quality of life in Centre Wellington.
Manager of community development Kristen Bettiol presented a report outlining the decision process and the organizations recommended by the advisory committee to receive grants from the community investment fund, previously called community impact grants.
The first round of grants, in the annual specific stream, was approved with the budget in December.
Grants in this stream total $23,150 and include horticultural societies, trail groups and service clubs that organize annual Santa Claus parades.
A total of $56,500 went to 18 organizations in the community impact stream.
These include groups like Big Brother Big Sisters of Centre Wellington, Elora House, the Centre Wellington Food Bank, and the Grove youth wellness hub.
Another $56,500 was allocated to groups in the arts, culture, festivals and events stream.
Grants were approved to 16 organizations including the Belwood Car Club, the CW Black Committee, the Elora Fergus Arts Council, and the Elora Festival.
The maximum amount awarded was $5,000 per organization, with a recommended policy change to avoid “stacking” – where an organization receives support from the township in multiple ways.
That said, council approved $5,000 grants to each of the Fergus Scottish Festival and Highland Games and the Fergus Agricultural Society on top of providing reduced rental rates and other services for the Scottish Festival and the Fergus Fall Fair.
The rationale provided by staff is that these two events provide economic benefit to the community as a whole and they are longstanding, beloved celebrations that enrich the community.
Bettiol said the township received 50 applications across the funding streams, with requests topping $225,000.
Eight were ineligible; the rest were measured according to:
- alignment with council’s strategic plan;
- community need and impact;
- project feasibility and readiness;
- collaboration and partnerships;
- sustainability;
- diversity, equity and inclusion; and
- evaluation and measurement.
“This is what I believe this council stands for,” said councillor Barb Evoy, who attended the meeting virtually.
Council unanimously approved the grants.
