24 local organizations receive $390,000 through Waterloo Region Community Foundation’s Racial Equity Fund

WATERLOO REGION, ON — Today, Waterloo Region Community Foundation (WRCF) announced 24 organizations in Waterloo Region will receive approximately $390,000 in funding, of which $121,000 is being provided through a partnership with the Astley Family Foundation, with additional donations by several WRCF Fundholders and Donors.

A committee of volunteer 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. The funds are intended to support those most impacted by the ongoing and systemic racial disparities that exist in our community.

“WRCF is committed to using our resources to advance racial equity in Waterloo Region,” says Eric Avner, President & CEO, Waterloo Region Community Foundation. “We know that philanthropy has the opportunity to create lasting change if we continue to listen, learn and take action to support racialized communities.”

“The Astley Family Foundation values the partnership with WRCF’s Racial Equity Fund as it allows us to intentionally direct funding to organizations and/or programs for Indigenous youth, Black youth and youth of colour in our community, as recommended by a committee of community members,“ says Jennifer Astley-Kinsey, Executive Director of the Astley Family Foundation.

A list of organizations that received funding is included below:

  • Adventure4Change

  • African Canadian Association of Waterloo Region and Area

  • African Women’s Alliance of Waterloo Region

  • Association of Liberian Immigrants in Kitchener Environs

  • Anishnabeg Outreach

  • Bridges to Belonging

  • Canadian Arab Women’s Association

  • Coalition of Muslim Women of Kitchener Waterloo

  • Crow Shield Lodge

  • DiverseWorks Dance Co.

  • Focus for Ethnic Women

  • Kate Kamo McHugh Dance

  • Levant Canada

  • Lion’s Mane Ministry

  • Nadjiwan Kaandossiwin Gamik – Indigenous Student Centre

  • Neruda Arts

  • Nigerians in the Region of Waterloo

  • Rhythm and Blues Cambridge

  • Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre

  • The Athletic Alliance

  • The Healing of the Seven Generations

  • Tumaniyi Association

  • University of Waterloo (Longhouse Labs Project)

  • WeCare Centre

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 create sustainable, equitable and thriving communities. We connect regionally and locally, working with three cities and four townships – to include the people and places across our region. Together, we develop forward-thinking innovative solutions and seize opportunities to meet current and future needs of our community. We make philanthropy easy for individuals and companies to support organizations and issues they care about. WRCF is focused on Granting, Impact Investing and Convening to make measurable and sustainable impacts. Gifts are directed to WRCF's endowed funds that drive positive change through grants with the income generated being distributed in partnership with Fundholders to support a wide range of charitable causes within our community. A portion of the endowed funds are also used for impact investments that deliver both financial returns as well as positive social or environmental outcomes. As a leading community-building organization, we also work to amplify voices and issues of importance by convening conversations and sharing information, while approaching our work with an equity mindset. 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

Jennifer Astley-Kinsey
Executive Director, Astley Family Foundation
519-500-9343
jen@astleyfamilyfoundation.ca

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