Events

Brant Community Foundation Events

Celebrating Community Changemakers

On May 5, 2026, the Brant Community Foundation hosted our Celebrating Community Changemakers event – an afternoon dedicated to recognizing the remarkable contributions of our fundholders, charities, community leaders, and volunteers. Guests heard inspiring remarks from fundholders, charitable organizations supported through Foundation funding, and members of the BCF leadership team highlighting the collective impact being made throughout our community.

Paula Thomlison, BCF Board Member and Grants Committee Chair welcomed everyone to the reception, sharing with the attendees – “I want to be clear about who the changemakers in the room actually are – they are all of you.” BCF Board Chair Jayne Carman provided a description of the Foundation’s growth since its establishment in 1997, from the first grants in 2001 totalling $103,000 to last year’s grants of $1,500,000. She introduced Donald Wilkin, who along with his wife Jo-Anne have created three unique funds over the last 15 years, supporting a wide range of charities and causes. Mr. Wilkin shared his inspiring story of why he and Jo-Anne chose to support their charities through creating funds at the Brant Community Foundation.

Representatives from two of the 99 local charities who received grants in 2025/26 shared their stories of community impact. Rita-Marie Hadley, Executive Director of the Lansdowne Children’s Centre described the incredible support and programming Lansdowne provides to infants, children and youth with additional and / or complex health and development needs, as well as their families and caregivers. Her speech underscored that support from donors and community grants, including from the Brant Community Foundation, is pivotal for ensuring these programs remain available and accessible to those who need them.

The attendees then heard from Heather Vanner, Executive Director of Community Resource Service, which operates the Brantford Food Bank. She emphasized the urgent issue of food insecurity, noting that it affects 1 in 4 households in our region. Her speech highlighted the vital role of donors, including grants through the Brant Community Foundation, in ensuring the Brantford Food Bank is stocked with food and other essential household items for those accessing their services.

Anne Marie Peirce, Executive Director of the Brant Community Foundation, provided the final speech of the event. She recognized the efforts of those who laid the groundwork of the Brant Community Foundation. Her words then turned to the future and protecting the long view. “Wherever this community hurts, and wherever it dreams, we intend to show up. The needs of 2030 will not look like the needs of today. Our grant-making will keep evolving to meet those needs.”

The Brant Community Foundation extends a sincere thank you to everyone who attended the Celebrating Changemakers Reception – we truly appreciate everything you do to create positive change in our community!

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Brant Vital Signs Launch

On November 22nd, 2024, the Brant Community Foundation hosted the launch of its most recent Vital Signs report at the TF Warren Group Cainsville Community Centre. The event brought together Foundation staff, board members, representatives of local government, community partners, charities, and those behind the publication to reflect on and discuss the wellbeing of our region.

The Brant Vital Signs report is a community wellbeing checkup driven by local data to measure the vitality of our communities – including Brantford, the County of Brant, the Six Nations of the Grand River, and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation – with the goal of enriching the local quality of life. The report provides insight into 10 key vital indicators: children, youth and young adults; immigration, gap between the rich and the poor, economy, getting around, environment, belonging and engagement, arts and culture, health, and safety. Vital Signs aims to promote civic engagement, action, community collaboration, and philanthropy to address our community’s unique challenges.

Executive Director Anne Marie Peirce addressed the significance of the report to the Brant Community Foundation’s work, stating that the report “provides a comprehensive understanding of our communities by combining data with the expertise and perspectives of our partners.” Dr. Popham keenly described the report as a “resource that empowers community leaders and residents with knowledge to address challenges and mobilize change,” reflecting the core goals of the Vital Signs publication.

The report celebrates the community’s achievements, successes, and progress, such as growing local economic opportunity and expansions to public transit. The report also identifies and explores the areas for improvement in our communities and proposes actions that can be taken to address the challenges and ultimately improve the quality of life for all.

By sharing the 2024 Vital Signs report and providing valuable insight into the community’s strengths and areas for improvement, we encourage engagement and action such as redirection of resource allocation to where it is most needed, informed policy advocation, and guided grant making and philanthropic investment.

The Brant Community Foundation would like to thank everyone who attended the 2024 Vital Signs Launch event!