The latest Municipal Community Grants Program recipients were announced earlier this month. 30 local organizations are sharing grants worth $148,000, while an additional half dozen groups will receive in-kind support from the municipality worth $11,000 for such things as venue rentals. There were 40 applications for funds.

The in-kind grants offer up to $2000 worth of municipal venues, services, and labour. Cash grants are up to $15,000. The largest grants were $10,000, for the Greater Than Youth Collective and Reaching for Rainbows. 

The Municipal Community Grants Program, administered by The County Foundation, aims to improve the well-being and quality of life of the community and its residents through financial assistance to non-profit, community-based organizations.

“Community events and activities ignite spirit in residents and guests alike and make Prince Edward County the special place that it is,” said Mayor Steve Ferguson. “We are proud to support these initiatives through the Municipal Community Grants Program.”

Municipal staff collaborated with The County Foundation in 2024 to review the Program and its policies while previously successful community organizations provided feedback on their experiences. Among the changes, arts-mandated organizations are now funded through the PEC Arts Fund, in partnership with The County Foundation. 

“This year marks an exciting new chapter for the program, introducing innovative changes such as operational funding and multi-year commitments. These enhancements are designed to offer more stability and flexibility for recipients, empowering local organizations to focus on what they do best: making our community a better place for everyone,” remarked Gillian Armstrong, Interim Executive Director of The County Foundation.  

Municipal Community Grants

851 Squadron Royal Canadian Cadets – $6,073 for programs that foster leadership, citizenship and life skills.

99.3 County FM – $4,000 for a more robust music production library.

Alternatives for Women – $4,500 for an enhanced safety and well-being program for staff and clients involved in housing, counselling and education related to domestic violence.

Alzheimer’s Society of Hastings-Prince Edward – $5,000 for programs and services for persons living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. 

Community Development Council of Quinte – $5,000 for the Good Baby Box program.

County Food Hub – $8,000 for a cooking club for children and youth in grades 4-12.

County Kids Read – $7500 to support literacy programming.

Food to Share – $10,000 for collecting locally grown produce, and preparing meals to be distributed through food banks and other community partners.

Gathering of Friends – $150 for Loyalist re-enactments at the Ameliasburgh Heritage Village.

Greater Than County Youth Collective – $10,000 for events and hackathons.

Grow With Me Programs – $3,000 to expand a program for children focused on gardening, 

environmental stewardship and sustainable living.

Heal with Horses Therapeutic Centre – $5,000 for horse and small animal-related activities and programs.

Jasper Park Volunteers Group – $868 for operational expenses related to community gardening.

PEC Lions Club – $4,500 for the Music in the Park program in Wellington.

PEC Skating Club – $2,500 for learn-to-skate programming.

PEC Sports Hall of Fame – $1,000 for the 2025 induction ceremony.

Picton Town Hall Farmers’ Market – $5,000 for the weekly market.

Picton United Church Food Bank – $10,000 for the food bank / emergency food program at the Picton United Church.

Prince Edward 4-H Dairy Club – $600 to support the 4-H Club participation in the 2025 Picton Fair.

Prince Edward Learning Centre (PEC Fresh) – $8,000 to support the PEC Fresh Good Food Market.

Prince Edward Pickleball – $5,000.

Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory – $5,000 to support costs related to protecting birds and their habitats through research, advocacy and education.

Reaching for Rainbows – $10,000 for programming to support vulnerable and at-risk girls age 6-9.

South Shore Joint Initiative (SSJI) – $4,000 for the Wild Thing natural heritage outdoor education program.

The Andrew – $3,000 for the Solo Seniors Initiative.

The Children’s Foundation – $7,500 for the Playing for Keeps and Camps of Hope programs to subsidize sports and camp programs, removing barriers to participation.

Volunteer Information Hastings Prince Edward County – $4,000 for a volunteer recruitment and referral program in Prince Edward County.

Wellington Community Association – $3,000 for a Remembrance Day initiative in the village of Wellington.

Wellington Community Gardens – $1,000 for ongoing expenses.

West Lake Community Association – $4,525 to support a wetland protection initiative in West Lake.