We're investing $1.2 million in the places that make Waterloo Region feel like home
Today we're sharing some good news: Waterloo Region Community Foundation (WRCF) is providing $1.2 million in grants to 58 charitable organizations across Waterloo Region, all working to strengthen the social infrastructure of our communities. When spaces come alive through programming, they bring people together – sparking connection, creating room to learn and grow, and building stronger bonds within and across communities.
This funding was provided through the Cambridge Community Fund, North Dumfries Community Fund, and Waterloo Region Community Fund held at WRCF, with additional support from WRCF Fundholders and donors, as well as a partnership with Trinity United Church (Kitchener).
“Each year, these grants remind us of what becomes possible when a community invests in itself,” said Eric Avner, President & CEO, Waterloo Region Community Foundation. “Donations made to our Community Funds continue to flow back year after year into the neighbourhoods, programs, and organizations that make Waterloo Region a place where people can truly belong. We are deeply grateful to everyone who has contributed to these funds, thereby supporting our local social infrastructure, and the 58 organizations turning that generosity into real impact."
Each year, a volunteer committee of local residents reviews the applications and helps decide where the funding goes.
The 2026 Community Grants recipients:
Alison Neighbourhood Community Centre (Fiddlesticks Community Centre)
Argus Residence for Young People
Ayr Curling (Township of North Dumfries)
Ayr-Paris Band
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Waterloo Region
Brain Injury Association Waterloo-Wellington
Business & Education Partnership of Waterloo Region
Cambridge Food Bank
Camino Wellbeing + Mental Health
Canadian Arab Women's Association (Canadian International Development Organization)
Child Witness Centre
CivicTech Waterloo Region (Social Development Centre Waterloo Region)
Community Healthcaring Kitchener-Waterloo
Community Justice Initiatives
Community Kitchen Co-Operative Kitchener Waterloo (The Church of St. John the Evangelist)
COMPASS Refugee Centre
Fiddlesticks Community Centre
Focus For Ethnic Women
Freedom Centre (MissionGo)
Girls E-Mentorship (GEM)
Greenway-Chaplin Community Centre
Hearts Open for Everyone (The Ripple Effect Education)
Highland Stirling Community Group
Homer Watson House & Gallery
HopeSpring Cancer Support Centre
Hospice Waterloo Region
Interfaith Counselling Centre
Junior Achievement South Western Ontario
Kinbridge Community Association
Kitchener Public Library
KW AccessAbility
Langs
Midtown Radio (The Registry Theatre)
MT Space
Pathways to Education
Pegasus Institute
Porchlight Counselling and Addiction Services
rare Charitable Research Reserve
Sanguen Health Centre
Seeds of Diversity
Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region
SHORE Centre
Social Development Centre Waterloo Region
Spectrum
Strong Start
The Pregnancy Centre
Thresholds Homes and Supports
Tiny Home Takeout - St. Mary's Parish
United for Literacy
Victim Services of Waterloo Region
Volunteer Waterloo Region
Waterloo Region ACORN (ACORN Institute Canada)
Waterloo Wayside Centre
Wellesley-North Easthope Agricultural Society (St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church)
Wisahkotewinowak (Global Youth Volunteer Network)
Women's Crisis Services of Waterloo Region
YW Kitchener-Waterloo
YWCA Cambridge
Note: Charitable organizations in brackets represent the charitable partner working alongside the non-qualified donee on the funded initiative.
Want to help?
If you would like to support any of the Community Funds held at WRCF, and have your donation assist with funding future applications that WRCF receives, please visit wrcf.ca/donate.
Today, we also announced funding through our Arts Fund and Racial Equity Fund, with overall funding of $1.84 million distributed across Waterloo Region. Read the combined press release here.
If you have any questions, or would like to connect with someone, email us at grants@wrcf.ca.
