Starting…now!
Charities in search of grants - grants for all sorts of things that enhance quality of life and the vitality of the community - can start applying, and have until July 26 to apply, for Guelph Community Foundation grants.
The organization manages endowments and charitable donations, helping donors fulfill their charitable giving goals, while meeting important needs of the community.
It has $14 million under its administration, with nearly $10 million in permanent endowed assets, and 115 different funds that support a range of areas, from arts and culture, health and wellness, the environment, and seniors. The foundation has supported over 850 charities since it was founded in 2000, distributing more than $4.2 million.
Each year a portion of the income from those funds is made available through grants, and there is $116,000 available this year, with $50,000 of that coming from the 2017 Musagetes Grant Program, which supports arts and culture projects.
The other $66,000 in community grants will spur “community building at a grassroots level,” said Lianne Carter, the foundation’s marketing and communications officer.
“We try to make it broad, as long as it builds community, connects people, and maybe allows those who couldn’t afford to participate, to participate,” she said.
“We try not to be too specific in what we’re looking for in applications,” she added. “Nine times out of 10 we are pleasantly surprised when the applications do come in. We let the charities do what they are great at. They are really the feet on the street that know the pulse of where the need is within the community that they’re serving.”
Carter said collaboration between community groups is something the foundation likes to see.
“There are always so many great ideas,” she said. “When you start seeing the list of all these great applications, you realize that need in our community is great. If we an make a tiny dent in helping them execute programs for people, then we’ve done our job.”
Visit www.guelphcf.ca learn about the grant application process, or stop into the Guelph Community Foundation’s downtown office at 46 Cork Street E.
