Mapleton approves $12,000 in community grants

MAPLETON – The year’s first round of Mapleton community grants have been approved. 

The township is set to dole out a total of $11,970 to four organizations.

The 2026 budget allocated $20,000 for the community grants program, so the township has opened a second round of applications for the remaining funds 

Applications for the second intake are due by Jan. 30 at 5pm.

The township updated its community grants program in September to streamline the process and increase clarity around the eligibility, application and selection process. The updated program is led by community services manager Amy Grose and deputy treasurer Rachel Carter.

The first round of applications was open from Oct. 1 to 31, and 12 applications were submitted with a total funding request of over $200,000.

Treasurer Patrick Kelly said “a large portion of that was one specific application that didn’t really meet the criteria of what this program is intended for. Staff have followed up with that group accordingly.” 

Other groups also submitted applications that “essentially wouldn’t fit with what this program was established for,” Kelly said, adding they “will be made aware that their applications were unsuccessful.”

Kelly said while any organization is welcome to submit an application under the second intake, “if they submitted the same application they would probably have the same result – they just didn’t fit the criteria.”    

Township staff, including representatives from finance, public works and community services, reviewed and evaluated the applications using the following criteria: 

– demonstrated need;

– budget;

– cost effectiveness and financial viability; 

– specific benefit and expected outcome; and  

– how the project will improve quality of life for Mapleton residents or assist the township in meeting its strategic priorities. 

“Staff attempted to balance the requests from the groups, while ensuring that the applicants were within the scope of the program and evaluated on an equitable basis,” states a staff report presented to council on Jan. 13.

Mapleton Minor Soccer requested $15,250 for new jerseys (as they changed their name from Drayton Minor Soccer) and the township approved a grant of $5,000. 

The township granted the Alma Softball Association its requested funding of $4,600 for a new pitching machine and repairs to its batting cage. 

The Drayton Mapleton Agricultural Society will receive $1,370 it requested to replace grandstand bleachers. 

And Drayton Minor Hockey is set to receive $1,000 it requested for iPads for scoring sheets. 

Already allocated in the budget was funding for The Grove Hubs ($33,000) the Seniors Centre for Excellence ($10,000), Minto-Mapleton doctor recruitment ($10,000) and athletic bursaries ($2,000). 

“I’m always happy to see these grants because it means things are happening in our community,” said councillor Marlene Ottens. 

Treasurer Patrick Kelly told council the application process “was fairly smooth” for applicants, staff and the parks and recreation committee. 

“As always, we will look to improve the process each year, but it’s a good foundation for this year.” 

For the 2027 program, staff intend to have the application process for community grant funding completed in 2026, before the 2027 budget is approved.  

The second intake for community grants funding this year will follow the same process as intake one, Kelly told council, “with the parks and recreation committee providing recommendations for councils’ consideration and approval. 

To apply for  a community grant visit mapleton.ca/services/budget-and-finance/grants.