Almost $130,000 allotted to community groups

ELORA – Every group that applied got a slice of the community grant pie this year.

Council allocated $128,642 in community grants at the Jan. 26 meeting – $105,102 from the OLG reserve and $23,540 through taxation, supporting 35 community groups.

“The Community Investment Fund supports community organizations, initiatives and events that contribute to community well-being, cultural vibrancy and economic development through a combination of financial and non-financial supports,” manager of community development Kristen Bettiol wrote in her report.

Funds were awarded in four categories: the annual specific stream, which includes eight local organizations that annually receive funding; the community impact stream; arts and culture, festivals and events stream; and new this year, the inclusive community stream.

There was also a category for special consideration. These include groups that received funding in their respective streams but need a bit more for various reasons.

These include the Centre Wellington Food Bank, which is operating a top capacity in these lean times, the Elora Centre for the Arts, the Fergus Agricultural Society, and the Centre Wellington Black Committee.

Bettiol said a working group of the healthy communities advisory committee made the initial recommendations, that were later approved by the healthy communities and the diversity, equity and inclusion advisory committees.

On top of the grants, groups can have their events listed on the township’s community calendar and can rent resources, like tables and pilons for example, at low cost.

Bettiol said applications were down this year. In some cases it was due to turnover at the volunteer organization and they missed the deadline; in other cases it was a new organization that didn’t know the procedure.

She said they hope to develop an in-person working session to help those new to the granting process.ELORA – Every group that applied got a slice of the community grant pie this year.

Centre Wellington council allocated $128,642 in community grants on Jan. 26 – $105,102 from the OLG reserve and $23,540 through taxation – supporting 35 community groups.

“The Community Investment Fund supports community organizations, initiatives and events that contribute to community well-being, cultural vibrancy and economic development through a combination of financial and non-financial supports,” manager of community development Kristen Bettiol wrote in her report.

Funds were awarded in four categories: the annual specific stream, which includes eight local organizations that annually receive funding; the community impact stream; arts and culture, festivals and events stream; and new this year, the inclusive community stream.

There was also a category for special consideration. These include groups that received funding in their respective streams but need a bit more for various reasons.

These include the Centre Wellington Food Bank, which is operating at top capacity in these lean times, the Elora Centre for the Arts, Fergus Agricultural Society, and Centre Wellington Black Committee.

Bettiol said a working group of the healthy communities advisory committee made the initial recommendations, which were later approved by the healthy communities and the diversity, equity and inclusion advisory committees.

On top of the grants, groups can have their events listed on the township’s community calendar and can rent resources such as tables and pylons at low cost.

Bettiol said applications were down this year. 

In some cases it was due to turnover at the volunteer organization and they missed the deadline; in other cases it was a new organization that didn’t know the procedure.

She said the township hopes to develop an in-person working session to help those new to the granting process.