Community Foundation Grey Bruce, in partnership with Georgian College, has awarded $341,381 in funding to 9 social purpose organizations in Central Ontario.

These organizations are working to create meaningful jobs, strengthen the charitable and nonprofit sector, and address social challenges, including the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. These organizations will be better prepared to receive investment, including through the Government of Canada’s Social Finance Fund.

The funding is provided by the Government of Canada’s Investment Readiness Program (IRP) presented through Community Foundations of Canada. Georgian plays an important role in the partnership as co-adjudicator and will help disburse the grant money to any organizations that are not registered charities.

Community Foundation Grey Bruce received a high volume of applications for the highly competitive program. This funding has supported projects including:

· $36,972 for Muskoka North Good Food Co-operative Inc., Huntsville, to scale-up regional agri-food sector, capacity build, market, educate, grow, and encourage community well-being.

· $88,977 to fund Fourth Pig Green & Natural Construction, Baysville, for a comprehensive viability study on creating a replicable model for accessible, environmentally healthy housing.

· $26,117 to fund Split Rail Brewing Company Inc., Gore Bay, to move toward B-Corp certification and prepare to seek investors.

· $38,634 to fund Launch Pad Youth Activity & Technology Centre, Hanover, for a feasibility study & business plan to operate an ice cream truck as an employment training program for youth.

· $33,881 to fund Big Canoe Project, Meaford, to expand their big canoe tour and day camp enterprise.

· $25,000 funding The Dragonfly Collective, Sprucedale, to complete a business plan for a cafe and community hub and allow access to funding.

· $45,000 for Eat Local Grey Bruce, Owen Sound, to formalize policies and procedures, complete full financial assessments and perform strategic planning for sustainable growth.

· $18,000 to fund Golden Dawn Senior Citizens Home, Lion’s Head, for feasibility studies to develop a costed, sustainable plan to provide senior care and affordable housing on the Northern Bruce Peninsula.

· $28,800 to fund CONTACT Community Services, Bradford West Gwillimbury, for a re-use centre/social hub stimulating economy, volunteerism and decreasing landfill.

“The pervasive and wide-ranging effects of the global pandemic has placed Canadian communities in crisis. Recovery efforts must be transformative to meet the test of an uncertain, and at the same time,

hopeful and prosperous future. Philanthropy will play a critical role in this future as we consider new ways of deploying our capital and engaging communities. Our investments should aim to alleviate the systemic factors perpetuating inequality, with an eye to a sustainable and inclusive economy for all Canadians. Consequently, social entrepreneurs and impact investors form critical infrastructure to lead our recovery efforts and meet the urgency of the moment. Our work with the IRP is about meeting this moment,” says Andrew Chunilall, CEO of Community Foundations of Canada, a national partner in the Investment Readiness Program.

Social purpose organizations strengthen local economies while giving back and creating more resilient and sustainable communities. The IRP also creates and advances new earned revenue possibilities for charities and non-profits during this challenging time. For these reasons, IRP has a key role to play in pandemic recovery and, also, in moving Canada towards the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. They promote prosperity while protecting people and our planet.

source: media release, Community Foundation Grey Bruce