31 local organizations receive $437,000 through Waterloo Region Community Foundation’s Racial Equity Fund
WATERLOO REGION, ON — Today, Waterloo Region Community Foundation (WRCF) announced $437,000 in funding to 31 local organizations through the Racial Equity Fund. This included support from several WRCF Fundholders and donors.
A committee of volunteer community members who self-identify as Indigenous, Black or as a person of colour developed the funding application and guidelines, reviewed applications, and recommended funding recipients. With over $1 million in requests during this application period, there continues to be a gap between community need and dollars available.
“The programs and initiatives supported through the Racial Equity Fund are all making a positive impact on the lives of racialized individuals who call Waterloo Region home,” says Eric Avner, President & CEO, Waterloo Region Community Foundation. “However, we continue to receive more requests for impactful initiatives than we are able to fund. As we work alongside our Fundholders, donors, and partners to leverage our resources, we encourage others from across our community to join us in providing funding to those advancing racial equity locally.”
Established in 2020, WRCF’s Racial Equity Fund is intended to support those most impacted by the ongoing and systemic racial disparities that exist in our community. In 2024, the funds supported initiatives linked to improving social infrastructure.
Adventure4Change
African Women's Alliance of Waterloo Region (World Wide Opportunities for Women Inc.)
AfriWat
Anishnabeg Outreach
Cambridge Cultural Association
Child Witness Centre
Community Justice Initiatives Waterloo Region
Community Music School of Waterloo Region
Crow Shield Lodge
Greenway-Chaplin Community Centre
Hearts Open for Everyone (Kitchener-Waterloo Multicultural Centre)
Kinbridge Community Association
Kind Minds Family Wellness
Lion's Mane Ministry
MT Space
Muslim Social Services Waterloo Region
Muslim Women of Cambridge (Greenway-Chaplin Community Centre)
Nigerians in the Region of Waterloo (Kitchener-Waterloo Multicultural Centre)
Peace For All Canada (Conrad Grebel University College)
Rhythm & Blues Cambridge (Kinbridge Community Association)
Rohingya Centre
Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region
SHORE Centre
Somali Canadian Association of Waterloo Region (Greenway-Chaplin Community Centre)
tri-Pride Community Association
Waterloo Region Chinese Canadian Association (Coalition of Muslim Women Kitchener-Waterloo)
Wijhah Initiative
Willow River Centre (Social Development Centre Waterloo Region)
Women of Dignity International
Women That Give
YWCA Cambridge
Note: Charitable organizations in brackets represent the fiscal partner working in partnership with the non-qualified donee.
If you would like to support the Racial Equity Fund and have your donation assist with funding future applications that WRCF receives, please visit wrcf.ca/re-donate.
For more information about WRCF, visit www.wrcf.ca
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About Waterloo Region Community Foundation
Waterloo Region Community Foundation (WRCF) collaborates with partners to ensure our communities are equitable, connected, and sustainable; and people are thriving. We strengthen local organizations, spaces, and experiences to increase connection with communities across the three cities and four townships of Waterloo Region. We make philanthropy easy for individuals and companies to support organizations and issues they care about. WRCF is focused on Granting, Investing, and Mobilizing to make measurable and sustainable impacts. Gifts are directed to WRCF's endowed funds, with the income generated being distributed in partnership with Fundholders through grants and investments that support a wide range of charitable causes that drive positive change within our community. We are growing our assets in a socially-responsible way without compromising financial returns, and transitioning to a 100% mission-aligned portfolio. These investments include directing at least 10% of our portfolio to impact investments. As a leading community-building organization, we also work to amplify voices and issues of importance by mobilizing conversations and sharing information, which leads people to action, while approaching our work with an equity mindset. In 2024, WRCF is focused on improving social infrastructure in Waterloo Region. www.wrcf.ca
For additional information about this release or to schedule an interview, please contact:
Lynne Short
Vice President, Waterloo Region Community Foundation
519-725-1806 x 204
lynne@wrcf.ca
