Not-for-profit and charitable organizations in Waterloo Region, and Wellington and Dufferin Counties will benefit from $1,508,400 in 27 grants recently ratified by the board of directors of the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF).
Ontario Minister of Culture Aileen Carroll said that many of the grants provide opportunities for individuals of all ages and abilities to improve their health and become more active in their communities.
“The [Dalton] McGuinty government recognizes the numerous benefits that arts, culture and recreational programs bring to our communities,” said Carroll. “These Ontario Trillium Foundation grants will have a powerful impact on local economies and improve the quality of life for Ontario families."
“What better way to build healthy and vibrant communities,” said Donald Bourgeois, grant review team chairman for Waterloo, Wellington and Dufferin. “These grants will enable groups to create more social, cultural and recreational activities, remove barriers to full participation and promote healthy living.”
In Guelph, a $108,100 grant over 18 months to The HelpNow Project will improve service delivery to child victims of sexual abuse in Guelph and Wellington counties. A network of service providers and clinicians will be established to develop a model of co-ordination, training and evaluation.
Another grant of $84,200 over two years to Supporting Kids in Camp in care of KidsAbility Centre for Child Development will fund a project co-ordinator, training, and expenses to implement a Kids in Camp program. Camp staff will be trained to integrate children with disabilities into their programs across Wellington County.
In addition to community grants, Carroll announced that the OTF board approved $6,665,200 in province-wide grants to 36 umbrella organizations in Ontario.
A $295,100 grant over three years to Reach for the Rainbow Ontario will pilot a decentralized model for the organization. Volunteer community advisories will be set up in three communities to increase recreational day and residential camps services for children and youth with disabilities.
The Ontario Trillium Foundation is an agency of the government of Ontario. Ontario’s 2008 spring budget boosted the foundation’s annual funding to $110-million from $105-million, which will be further increased to $120-million by 2009-2010. To learn more about the programs, visit www.trilliumfoundation.org.
Community and province-wide grants were confirmed by the Ontario Trillium Foundation board on June 26.
Trillium grants are possible through the profits from various casinos and slots facilities being run across Ontario.
Community grants
The following area grants were ratified by the board of directors:
Waterloo, Wellington and Dufferin Cambridge and North Dumfries Community Foundation: $25,600 over six months for a fully integrated software information system. Efficient data-transaction processing along with functionality will be provided for donor management, investment, and fund management, granting and financial management.
Fergus Tennis Club: $48,000 to install a lighting system at the Centre Wellington Sportsplex. This upgrade will support two newly established tennis courts, enhancing their accessibility and availability to the general public, especially young people.
Grand River CarShare: $40,000 over one year to attract volunteers and improve the group’s skills, income and effectiveness. Training, staff and consulting services will be obtained to help strengthen its environmental and social-economic impact in Waterloo region.
Greenlands Collaborative in care of Elora Cataract Trailway Association: $116,400 over two years for staff and equipment to involve the public in a mapping, designing and implementation project. The resulting strategy will help guide the development of additional green space in the Township of Central Wellington.
Grey Wellington Theatre Guild: $11,600 over one year to install a new sound system in the theatre facility in Harriston. The upgrade will enhance the selection and staging of the group’s musical productions, especially children’s musical performances.
Guelph Symphony Orchestra: $10,000 over one year to purchase orchestral music. These new tools will help to expand the organization’s library and support it as it delivers public performances annually in Wellington County.
Guelph/Wellington Community Leadership Institute by way of the Volunteer Centre of Guelph-Wellington: $87,600 over 18 months to research, design and implement a community-based leadership program for Guelph-Wellington.
HelpNow Project, through the Family Counselling and Support Services for Guelph-Wellington: $108,100 over 18 months to improve service delivery to child victims of sexual abuse in Guelph and Wellington counties. A network of service providers and clinicians will be established to develop a model of co-ordination, training and evaluation.
Supporting Kids in Camp through the KidsAbility Centre for Child Development: $84,200 over two years for a project co-ordinator, training, and expenses to implement a Kids in Camp program. Camp staff will be trained to integrate children with disabilities into their programs across Wellington County.
Elora Festival: $36,000 over one year to purchase 750 theatre-style stacking chairs for use in the Gambrel Barn, the main stage performance venue of the Elora Festival.
