Waterloo Region Community Foundation provides $237,000 to 26 local organizations through the Ontario Endowment for Children and Youth in Recreation Fund
WATERLOO REGION, ON — Today, Waterloo Region Community Foundation (WRCF) announced that 26 local organizations will receive approximately $237,000 in funding through the Ontario Endowment for Children and Youth in Recreation Fund. This funding, which was supported by several WRCF Fundholders and donors, will create opportunities for children and youth across Waterloo Region to participate in healthy and safe community recreation activities.
“Recreation is more than play—it’s a pathway to belonging and growth,” says Eric Avner, President & CEO, Waterloo Region Community Foundation. “These programs give young people the chance to build friendships, develop skills, and feel part of something bigger. We are thankful to the organizations making this possible and proud to support their efforts to enrich the lives of children and youth across our communities.”
A volunteer committee comprised of community members reviewed the applications and recommended funding recipients.
A list of organizations that received funding is included below:
African Canadian Association of Waterloo Region and Area
African Community Wellness Initiative (Porchlight Counselling and Addiction Services)
African Women's Alliance of Waterloo Region (World Wide Opportunities for Women Inc.)
Alison Neighbourhood Community Centre (Fiddlesticks Community Centre)
Ayr Rockets Girls Hockey Association (Township of North Dumfries)
Brain Injury Association Waterloo-Wellington
Button Factory Arts
Child Witness Centre
Coalition of Muslim Women Kitchener-Waterloo
Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region
Greenway-Chaplin Community Centre
Homer Watson House & Gallery
KidSport Kitchener Waterloo Chapter
Kinbridge Community Association
Langs
Pat the Dog Theatre Creation
Preston Heights Community Group
Pride Stables
Reception House Waterloo Region
Rhythm & Blues Cambridge (Kinbridge Community Association)
The Canadian Clay & Glass Gallery
The Humane Society of Kitchener Waterloo & Stratford Perth
Women of Dignity International (Ibiana Foundation)
Women's Crisis Services of Waterloo Region
YMCA of Three Rivers
YWCA Cambridge
Note: Charitable organizations in brackets represent the fiscal partner working in partnership with the non-qualified donee.
For more information about WRCF, visit www.wrcf.ca.
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About Waterloo Region Community Foundation
Waterloo Region Community Foundation (WRCF) collaborates with partners to ensure our communities are equitable, connected, and sustainable; and people are thriving. We strengthen local organizations, spaces, and experiences to increase connection with communities across the three cities and four townships of Waterloo Region. We make it easy for people to do more good. We work with individuals and companies to support the organizations and issues they care about. WRCF is focused on Granting, Investing, and Mobilizing to make measurable and sustainable impacts. Gifts are directed to WRCF's endowed funds, with the income generated being distributed in partnership with Fundholders through grants and investments that support a wide range of charitable causes that drive positive change within our community. We are growing our assets in a socially-responsible way without compromising financial returns, and transitioning to a 100% mission-aligned portfolio. These investments include directing at least 10% of our portfolio to impact investments. As a leading community-building organization, we also work to amplify voices and issues of importance by mobilizing conversations and sharing information, which leads people to action, while approaching our work with an equity mindset. In 2025, WRCF continues to focus on improving social infrastructure in Waterloo Region. www.wrcf.ca
For additional information about this release or to schedule an interview, please contact:
Lynne Short
Vice President, Waterloo Region Community Foundation
519-725-1806 x 204
lynne@wrcf.ca
