47 local charitable organizations receive $1 million in grants through WRCF Community Funds

Written By Rochelle Benoit

WATERLOO REGION, ON – Today, Waterloo Region Community Foundation (WRCF) announced $1 million in grants to 47 charitable organizations across Waterloo Region. The funds will support initiatives linked to supporting social infrastructure.

This funding was provided through the Cambridge Community Fund, North Dumfries Community Fund, and Waterloo Region Community Fund held at WRCF. Additional funding was provided by several WRCF Fundholders and donors, as well as a partnership with Trinity United Church (Kitchener).

WRCF has researched social infrastructure over the past few years and has aligned its work with a framework created by Gehl Studio, which includes three types of activated spaces: Hubs, Havens, and Hangouts. The funding through WRCF’s Community Funds is focused on initiatives that are developing, enhancing, or reinforcing activities that bring people together and support meaningful relationships between people in Hubs and/or Havens.

“These investments reflect our commitment to strengthening the social infrastructure of Waterloo Region. While the demand for support continues to outpace the dollars available, each grant represents a step toward building more connected communities,” says Eric Avner, President & CEO, Waterloo Region Community Foundation. “We are profoundly grateful to the thousands of donors who have contributed to the Community Funds held at WRCF over the past 40 years — their generosity makes this work possible.”

WRCF works with a committee of dedicated volunteers comprised of local residents who review applications and recommend how these funds get distributed annually.

A full list of organizations funded through WRCF’s Community Grants in 2025 is included below:

  • A Better Tent City

  • Alison Neighbourhood Community Centre (Fiddlesticks Community Centre)

  • Ayr-Paris Band

  • Ayr Rockets Girls Hockey Association (Township of North Dumfries)

  • Ayr Summer Fun Hockey Skills Program (Township of North Dumfries)

  • Bereaved Families of Ontario - Midwestern Region

  • Big Brothers Big Sisters of Waterloo Region

  • Book Clubs for Inmates

  • Brain Injury Association Waterloo-Wellington

  • Brown's Community Park Committee (Township of North Dumfries)

  • Cambridge Public Library

  • Camino Wellbeing + Mental Health

  • Crow Shield Lodge

  • Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region

  • Family & Children's Services of the Waterloo Region Foundation

  • Freedom Centre (MissionGo)

  • Greenway-Chaplin Community Centre

  • Hearts Open for Everyone (Kitchener-Waterloo Multicultural Centre)

  • Hidden Acres Mennonite Camp & Retreat Centre

  • HopeSpring Cancer Support Centre

  • Hospice Waterloo Region

  • Interfaith Counselling Centre

  • Kinbridge Community Association

  • North Dumfries Garden Club

  • Peace for All Canada (Conrad Grebel University College)

  • Porchlight Counselling and Addiction Services

  • Preston Heights Community Group

  • Project READ Literacy Network Waterloo-Wellington

  • rare Charitable Research Reserve

  • Reception House Waterloo Region

  • Sanguen Health Centre

  • Services and Housing In the Province

  • Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region

  • SHORE Centre

  • Social Development Centre Waterloo Region

  • Spectrum

  • Strong Start

  • The Canadian Clay & Glass Gallery

  • The Literacy Group of Waterloo Region

  • The Working Centre

  • Tiny Home Takeout - St. Mary’s Parish

  • Waterloo Region ACORN (ACORN Institute Canada)

  • Waterloo Region Family Network

  • Wilmot & Wellesley Resource Centre

  • Women's Crisis Services of Waterloo Region

  • YMCA of Three Rivers

  • YWCA Cambridge

Note: Charitable organizations in brackets represent the charitable partner working alongside the non-qualified donee on the initiative that has been funded.

If you would like to support any of the Community Funds held at WRCF, and have your donation assist with funding future applications that WRCF receives, please visit wrcf.ca/donate.

Today, WRCF also announced funding through their Arts Fund and Racial Equity Fund, with overall funding of $1.7 million distributed across Waterloo Region. Read the combined press release here.

For additional information or to discuss or schedule an interview, please contact:

Lynne Short
Vice President, Waterloo Region Community Foundation
519-725-1806 x 204
lynne@wrcf.ca

Rochelle Benoit
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