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About Us

Our Vision

A strong and vital community that has the resources to enrich the quality of life locally.

Our Mission

To award meaningful and impactful grants to ensure community vitality across Brantford, Brant County, Six Nations of the Grand River, and Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, by attracting donations and ensuring the responsible stewardship of our permanent endowment.

What We Do

Brant Community Foundation is a registered charitable foundation and one of a network of 200+ Community Foundations across Canada. We have three important roles:

Endowment Building

We work with donors as community builders, matching their interests with community needs to help them put their charitable interests into action.

Grant Making

We are a 360-degree grant maker, providing essential support to the broadest range of programs and services that contribute to the quality of life in our community. These include shelter and sustenance, health and education, arts, culture and heritage, and so much more.

Community Convening & Leadership

We bring community together to share knowledge that helps strengthen philanthropy and better respond to the changing needs of our community.

These three roles together provide incredible opportunities to address the unique needs of our community, by continuing to expand our permanent endowment and providing grant funding to make lasting change.

What is a Community Foundation?

The Community Foundations movement has taken hold in communities from coast to coast to coast, benefitting and providing strength to those communities, and providing a nexus for donors who through the true spirit of philanthropy, want to do good in their own town or city.

Guiding Principles

These principles describe the ideals we strive for in all we do and all we say, all for our community:
  1. We build community vitality.
  2. We listen to our communities.
  3. We build community assets and champion philanthropy.
  4. We create opportunities for dialogue, inclusion, diversity, and reconciliation.
  5. We grant for breadth and impact.
  6. We share what we know.
  7. We are responsive and accountable.
  8. We tackle pressing issues and foster renewal.
  9. We embrace partnerships.

Logo

The design is a concept of the Grand River, which flows through Brant County, the City of Brantford and the Six Nations. The Grand River expresses our foundation’s goal of becoming an integral part of this community, a passionate force that binds together our surrounding territory to support groups in need. The flowing design of the river illustrates our anticipation of growth and expansion, and the endless appearance of the body of water represents continuity and permanence.

The Community Foundation Difference

We are local​

We have deep roots in the community. We work with local volunteers and donors to fund local charities for the benefit of the communities of Brantford, Brant County, Six Nations of the Grand River, and Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation.

We have a broad perspective

As a 360-degree grant maker, we make effective grants and develop networks in a wide range of sectors.

We make a permanent difference

Gifts to the Brant Community Foundation continue working long into the future through our permanent endowment. Donors can feel secure that our staff, volunteers, and investments are positioned to tackle long-term community challenges as well as immediate needs.

We know philanthropy in Brantford and Brant County

We can help donors to find effective ways to aid the community you call home through flexible giving options. We can help you direct your giving to target specific impacts or to respond to changing needs as they arise.

We make complicated gifts easy

We help donors make gifts in a cost and time effective way. It is not always efficient or feasible to establish a scholarship program or private foundation. We are able to accept a variety of assets and help donors to leave a legacy. For those who wish to remain anonymous with their giving, we are happy to honour your wishes.

We are accountable

As responsible members of the voluntary sector, we strive for flexible, transparent governance and leadership practices that welcome volunteer involvement, encourage dialogue among diverse voices in the community, and inspire commitment to philanthropy.

Our History

1997
As the City of Brantford celebrated its Sesquicentennial, it was suggested that we have a lasting memorial to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the City. Nine members of the community came together to form the first Board of Directors of the Brantford Sesquicentennial Community Foundation Inc. The first donations were made to the permanent endowment fund.
2001
The Foundation made grants for the first time, totalling $103,000 as the endowment reached $2.1 million - thanks, in part, to a major gift from the Sheridan Place Corporation.
2002
The Foundation changed its name to become the Brant Community Foundation. The new inclusive name references the entire geographic footprint the Foundation serves: the City of Brantford, the County of Brant, the Six Nations of the Grand River, and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation.
2003
Major gifts were made by the C. Gordon Cockshutt Foundation and Blacker Benevolent Trust. Community donors joined in supporting the Community Foundation, which saw strong and steady growth.
2010
The endowment reached $5.6 million and $191,000 was granted to charities.
2020
The endowment had grown to $18.8 million with $600,000 disbursed to charities as grants.
2024
The endowment grew to over $27 million. More than $8.5 million had been granted since inception from more than 100 funds created by our community friends and held by the Foundation.
2026
The endowment now sits at over 29 million. $9.7 million has been awarded since the Foundation began granting from an incredible 112 active funds.

Grants are made to charities across our service area for programs and projects that make our communities a great place to live, work and raise a family. These grants underscore the Foundation’s inclusive approach to granting across all sectors. From children and youth, to arts, culture and heritage, to food insecurity, environment and education, we make grants that really matter.