19 local organizations receive $383,000 through WRCF’s Racial Equity Fund
WATERLOO REGION, ON – Today, Waterloo Region Community Foundation (WRCF) announced $383,000 in funding to 19 organizations through their Racial Equity Fund, which includes contributions from several WRCF Fundholders and donors, who have partnered with WRCF to support meaningful, positive action that advances the work of organizations serving people in Waterloo Region who are Indigenous, Black, and people of colour.
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. The funding through WRCF’s Racial Equity Fund focused on initiatives that are developing, enhancing, or reinforcing activities that bring people together and support meaningful relationships between people in Havens and/or Hubs.
“When we support the creation of havens — spaces where people can gather around shared identity, culture, and lived experience, we are supporting a critical element of our region’s social infrastructure,” said Eric Avner, President & CEO, Waterloo Region Community Foundation. “The programming and services in these spaces are essential for fostering belonging, resilience, and leadership within racialized communities. As we invest in this work, we invite others to join us in supporting and uplifting those who are advancing racial equity across Waterloo Region.
The Racial Equity Fund was established in 2020 and is intended to support those most impacted by the ongoing systemic racial disparities that exist in Waterloo Region. A volunteer committee of community members who self-identify as Indigenous, Black, or as a person of colour developed the funding application and guidelines, reviewed applications, and recommended funding recipients.
A full list of organizations funded through WRCF’s Racial Equity Grants in 2025 is included below:
African Canadian Association of Waterloo Region and Area
African Women's Alliance of Waterloo Region (World Wide Opportunities for Women Inc.)
African Family Revival Organization
Afropolitan Canada
Anishnabeg Outreach
Canadian Arab Women's Association (Canadian International Development Organization)
Hmong Ancestral Beliefs of Canada
Kind Minds Family Wellness (Community Justice Initiatives Waterloo Region)
Liberian Association of Canada
Muslim Empowerment & Unity (Greenway-Chaplin Community Centre)
Muslim Social Services Waterloo Region
Rhythm & Blues Cambridge (Kinbridge Community Association)
Rohingya Centre
Taste the Culture, Bite & Enlight
TEAO Canada
Thrive HIV Prevention & Support
Waterloo Region Chinese Canadian Association (Coalition of Muslim Women Kitchener-Waterloo)
Wijhah Initiative
Willow River Centre (Social Development Centre Waterloo Region)
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 Racial Equity Fund and have your donation assist with funding future applications that WRCF receives, please visit wrcf.ca/re-donate.
Today, WRCF also announced funding through their Arts Fund and Community Funds, 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
