Mayor Steve Ferguson highlighted the program’s impact, stating, “Community events and activities ignite spirit in residents and guests alike and make Prince Edward County the special place that it is. We are proud to support these initiatives through the Municipal Community Grants Program.” This sentiment echoes the program’s evolution, with 2025 introducing innovative changes such as operational funding and multi-year commitments to provide greater stability and flexibility for recipients.
Among the standout recipients, the Greater Than Youth Collective and Reaching for Rainbows each secured $10,000—the largest grants awarded. The former will fund events and hackathons aimed at youth empowerment, while the latter supports programming for vulnerable girls aged 6-12. Food to Share also received $10,000 to collect locally grown produce and prepare meals for distribution through food banks and partners, addressing food security—a priority area where at least 10% of cash grants are dedicated annually.
Other notable awards include $8,000 to the County Food Hub for a cooking club targeting children in grades 4-12, $7,500 to County Kids Read for literacy programs, and $5,000 each to organizations like the Alzheimer Society of Hastings-Prince Edward, Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory, and the Hastings Prince Edward Horses Therapeutic Centre. Smaller grants bolster niche efforts, such as $986 to the Jasper Park Volunteer Group for community gardening and $600 to the Prince Edward 4-H Dairy Club for fair participation.
Gillian Armstrong, Interim Executive Director of The County Foundation, praised the updates: “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.”
Beyond this year’s disbursements, the Municipal Community Grants Program has a rich history of supporting non-profits in culture, heritage, recreation, environment, and health services. According to the official municipal website, the initiative promotes self-sufficiency among community groups, prioritizing projects aligned with strategies like the Community Safety and Well-being Plan and Thrive PEC Community Economies Pilot. Grants are categorized into streams: up to $5,000 for smaller needs and over $5,000 for larger operations, with in-kind support capped at $2,000 per group.
The application process, which closed earlier this year, requires detailed submissions including organizational backgrounds, budgets, and financial statements for larger requests. While competitive—past funding doesn’t guarantee future awards—the program encourages broad participation from registered charities, ad hoc groups, and unincorporated organizations. For those interested in future cycles, applications typically open in early 2026 via The County Foundation’s online portal.