The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) has announced grants to several organizations in Wellington County, Waterloo and Dufferin, by investing in 16 not-for-profit and charitable organizations.
Through investments announced, local organizations have the support they need to make their counties, towns and cities stronger.
Each unique community in Ontario, with its challenges and assets, contributes to a dynamic and united province.
In addition to 324 community grants, OTF has announced 27 grants that will support larger, province-wide projects.
By working with not-for-profit organizations at the local level, and other groups that operate on a larger scale, OTF is maximizing the impact of our investments and helping to build a healthy and vibrant Ontario.
OTF is a provincial agency that awards about 1,300 grants each year, and more than one in five organizations that receive OTF grants are run solely by volunteers. The Foundation has a mandate to fund across four sectors: social services, environment, arts and culture, and Sports and recreation.
“The Government of Ontario is proud to partner with our diverse and dynamic not-for-profit and charitable organizations through our lead agency the Ontario Trillium Foundation. Our support for innovative local initiatives helps to build healthy and vibrant communities across the province and enrich the quality of life for Ontarians,” said Michael Chan, minister of tourism, culture and sport.
Unique needs addressed
“Local organizations are best placed to understand the unique needs of their communities. That’s why I am so pleased to be a part of Waterloo, Wellington and Dufferin’s Grant Review Team, and that the Ontario Trillium Foundation has invested in not-for-profit organizations across our community,” said Crista Renner, chairperson, Waterloo, Wellington and Dufferin OTF grant review team.
Those receiving grants include The Elora Centre for Environmental Excellence which will receive $143,000 over two years to cover audit support and software costs and hire a manager to complete a pilot project intended to raise awareness of energy use and reduce KWH consumption.
Audits will be conducted in over 300 homes in Wellington and Guelph. Data demonstrating the impact of the audits will be provided to decision-making bodies.
Another recipient is the Guelph (M.O.G.) Welcome In Drop In Centre Corporation which will receive $165,000 over one year to install an elevator and renovate the second floor of the centre in order to create space for a service hub.
After renovations, the drop-in centre will be complemented by satellite offices of social service agencies upstairs. This new service delivery model will remove barriers to assistance and improve the well-being of the homeless and those at risk of homelessness.
