Applications for Stratford Perth Community Foundation’s grant program now open

The Stratford Perth Community Foundation has opened up applications for its annual community grants.

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While the foundation works directly with its donors to set up permanent giving funds that support cause that are of interest to them, this annual grant period is more of an open call for applications, executive director Heidi Culliton said.

“We work together with our donors to flow grants annually to local projects and initiatives, and overall enhance the quality of life in our region, and some of those funds are very directed to particular causes and other funds are open and have much flexibility,” Culliton said.

“I would say that our fund is as unique as the charitable interests of our donors, and we’re here to facilitate that giving for very caring people in our community. So because there’s a group of funds that are . . . open to a lot of different opportunities, they are able to facilitate this open call that charities can apply to.”

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The opportunity is open to applicants from Stratford, St Marys and Perth County, and is available for a wide range of programs. Some of the programs the community grants supported last year included, but were not limited to, mental-health initiatives, school nutrition programs and helping youth moving into alternative housing.

“So really, there’s a wide range of interests we have, and so we’re able to use this program to grant to a wide perspective of our charitable sector,” Culliton said.

With such a broad range of qualifying projects, the key for those applying to is be authentic, Culliton said. While statistics that quantify how many people a program will help are valuable in letting the foundation know if the grants are making a difference, the qualitative and human aspects of why things make a difference are the most important, Culliton said

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“Our application isn’t about whether you’re a professional writer or you’re a fundraiser or you’re a front-line worker. This is about whoever is choosing to write this application to not be nervous about it, just to answer the questions to the best of your ability, and just share why the program is important, and why it’s important to the organization, and why, more importantly, it is important to our community,” she said.

Whether the applicant has a new idea or is looking for support to continue an existing program, the foundation wants to bolster programs that have a gap in their funding, Culliton added.

“It can be about a current program, it could be about growing that current program, and it can be about new ideas as well. It’s important that we understand that the organization can follow through on what they hope to accomplish,” she said.

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Applications are open until Nov. 8 at 4 pm The foundation will be hosting Zoom information sessions to provide an overview and answers questions about the program on Tuesday, Oct. 29, from 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm and Wednesday, Oct. 30, from 11 am to noon. Questions and RSVPs to the sessions can be sent to [email protected].

To be eligible for a grant:

• The organization must be a registered charity with the Canada Revenue Agency for at least one year and has filed at least one T3010 with the CRA or be sponsored by the same;
• The organization must provide services for or within Perth County, Stratford and/or St. Marys; and
• The organization must ensure services are provided without discrimination.

Ineligible applicants include:

• Programs that are mandated by another funder;
• Expenses incurred prior to receiving the grant;
• Deficit reduction, debt retirement, reserves, or mortgage pay-downs;
• Endowment and fundraising campaigns;
• Programs that support direct religious or political activity; and
• Individuals.

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