WRCF’s Arts Fund provides $313,000 to 18 local organizations
WATERLOO REGION, ON – Today, Waterloo Region Community Foundation (WRCF) announced $313,000 in grants through their Arts Fund to support 18 small and mid-sized arts and culture organizations and collectives across Waterloo Region. This includes contributions from several WRCF Fundholders and donors, who have partnered with WRCF to assist in bringing people together in meaningful ways to participate in and/or experience artistic programming in our communities.
In 2025, WRCF’s funding is focused primarily on advancing social infrastructure in Waterloo Region. WRCF has researched social infrastructure over the past few years and has aligned its work with a framework created by Gehl Studio, which includes three types of activated spaces: Hubs, Havens, and Hangouts. WRCF’s Arts Fund is supporting arts and culture experiences that take place in Hubs, Havens, and Hangouts in Waterloo Region, by facilitating dynamic opportunities for meaningful social interaction.
“The arts have a unique power to bring people together, to spark conversation, to inspire empathy, and to create shared experiences that transcend differences,” said Eric Avner, President & CEO, Waterloo Region Community Foundation. “These grants support the vital work of arts organizations in building connection and belonging across our communities. In a time when social connection is more important than ever, investing in the arts is investing in the heart of our region.” Annually, WRCF works with a volunteer committee comprised of people from the arts community who review applications and recommend how these funds get distributed.
A full list of organizations funded through WRCF’s Arts Grants in 2025 is included below:
Button Factory Arts
CAFKA - Contemporary Art Forum Kitchener + Area
Cambridge Symphony Orchestra
Don't Jump to Recipe (Inter Arts Matrix)
Green Light Arts
KW Kaleidoscope Collective (Social Development Centre Waterloo Region)
KW Sentro
Neon Majlis (CAFKA - Contemporary Art Forum Kitchener + Area)
Neruda Arts (Kitchener-Waterloo Multicultural Centre)
One Big Gay Disco (Thrive HIV Prevention & Support)
Open Ears Festival
Pat the Dog Theatre Creation
Pinch (The Registry Theatre)
Preston Arts Collective (Cambridge Public Library)
Quilt of Belonging
Royal Canadian College of Organists Waterloo-Wellington Centre
The New Quarterly
Unwrap Theatre
Note: Charitable organizations in brackets represent the charitable partner working alongside the non-qualified donee on the initiative that has been funded
If you would like to support the Arts Fund and have your donation assist with funding future applications that WRCF receives, please visit wrcf.ca/a-donate.
Today, WRCF also announced funding through their Community Funds and Racial Equity Fund, with overall funding of $1.7 million distributed across Waterloo Region. Read the combined press release here.
For additional information or to discuss or schedule an interview, please contact:
Lynne Short
Vice President, Waterloo Region Community Foundation
519-725-1806 x 204
lynne@wrcf.ca
