WELLINGTON NORTH – Changes are coming to the township's community grant and donation program for 2025.
Approved during a council meeting in Wellington North Monday evening, staff said the overall budget for the restructured Community Grants and Donations Program will remain at $40,000 but will divide the total amount into $37,000 for the fund and $3,000 for discretionary in-year budget donations.
Staff said the new funding model will "ensure" the council's priorities are effectively met and believes the updated structure will "provide a smoother budget process moving forward."
Council previously approved $82,636 in grants to 40 community initiatives before moving to review and tighten up the program in 2025 during an April council meeting earlier this year after some councillors shared concerns about the program "getting out of hand."
"By setting dollar and fee waiver maximums, staff anticipates the opportunity to support a greater number of programs, events and activities," said staff in the report. "Additionally, by expanding eligibility to include for-profit businesses and organizations, the program will enable more diverse offerings, particularly in areas where the township currently lacks capacity."
Offering her support for the recommendation, Coun. Sherry Burke later asked council whether it would be open to putting a cap on how many requests an applicant can submit to the fund so they "can help more folks when it comes time to review all the applications."
“At the end of the day, I want to keep the grants and donations within budget," said Burke. "For the last several years we’ve gone over budget because we have been very generous and we want to support everything, so if we put a number as we have with signature events then we’re able to help more people."
According to the report, funding through the program is currently available for:
- signature events like the Mount Forest Fireworks Festival, Arthur Optimist Canada Day Celebration and Louise Marshall Hospital Foundation Fundraising Gala for a maximum cash donation of $2,500
- local events for a maximum cash donation or use of space cost of $1,000
- programs for a maximum use of space donation of $1,000
- special activities for a maximum cash donation of $1,000
Staff said an additional $25,000 will be added to the operating budget to cover applications from certain groups like the North Wellington Health Care Alliance, the Seniors' Centre for Excellence, the Mount Forest and District Chamber of Commerce and the Arthur District Chamber of Commerce.
The Seniors' Centre for Excellence and the North Wellington Health Care Alliance will receive $10,000 each subject to an annual presentation to council and both Chambers will receive $2,500 each in funding dollars recognized through memorandums of understanding.
Program applications must be submitted to the township by Sept. 30 and all applicants will be notified of the decision by January 2025.
Isabel Buckmaster is the Local Journalism Initiative reporter for GuelphToday. LJI is a federally-funded program.
