The Grants in Action series will highlight the amazing work and impact created in our community by the organizations funded through the Brant Community Foundation. We are honoured to support these charities and are thrilled to share how they are generating positive change through our grant program!
Autism Dog Services
Autism Dog Services provides highly trained service dogs to assist children and youth ages 3-18 years of age with autism and other related developmental disorders. Based in Brantford, they make a difference in fostering the integration of children with autism by training, placing and supporting dogs that offer safety, companionship and independence.
The Brant Community Foundation is proud to support them in playing such a vital role in our community and beyond!
Camp Quality
Camp Quality Canada provides inclusive year–round programs for children with cancer and blood disorders. Children at camp have the freedom to explore new activities, make friends, and gain memories that will last a lifetime. The funding went towards sending a child to camp.
The Brant Community Foundation is honoured to support Camp Quality!
Grand River Community Health Centre
The Grand River Community Health Centre promotes healthy communities by providing primary health care, health promotion, and community development to ensure no one faces barriers to health and well-being. This grant supported the Kitchen Confidence 101 Program purchasing supplies and materials for the workshops and food boxes.
The Brant Community Foundation is happy to have supported this food program by the Grand River Community Health Centre!
Scouts Canada – Camp Impeesa
Scouts Canada runs Camp Impeesa on 52 acres, just outside Drumbo, in Brant County, offering year-round indoor and outdoor camping for youth and adults. Funding through the Foundation helped with facility improvements to the Annikki Snow Centre.
The Brant Community Foundation is happy to support Camp Impeesa’s facility improvements at the Annikki Snow Centre!
Grand River Conservation Authority
The Brant Community Foundation grant supported the Grand River Conservation Authority’s Brantford / Brant Children’s Water Festival, held May 14 – 16 at Mohawk Park in Brantford. The festival brings together the expertise of educators, specialists, volunteers, conservationists, and government agencies with local students for a learning opportunity at the Grand River.
The Brant Community Foundation is happy to support this educational and fun water festival presented by the Grand River Conservation Authority!
Why Not City Missions
Why Not City Missions empowers youth through relationship. From 2002 to 2024, they have served the community of Brantford by providing a safe and inclusive environment for social development, personal growth, and empowerment of homeless and at-risk youth. Funding for the Youth Mental Health Support project was for ages 13 – 19, providing access to counselling services.
The Brant Community Foundation is proud to support the Youth Mental Health Support Project!
Grand River Council on Aging
The Grand River Council on Aging engages and educates for age-friendly communities in Brantford, Brant County, Six Nations of the Grand River, and Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. BCF funding assisted in marketing and community awareness activities.
The Brant Community Foundation is pleased to have provided support to Grand River Council on Aging initiatives!
Arcady
Arcady is a Brantford-based professional arts training and performance organization dedicated to the mentorship and training of youth and emerging artists. This grant was part of the funding that enabled Arcady to perform in a concert presentation celebrating the link between three generations of Ontario composers. The concert featured Arcady’s string quartet, Youth Singers, and full professional chorus, and was performed at Central Presbyterian Church in Brantford.
The Brant Community Foundation is happy to have supported Arcady’s performance!
Willowbridge Community Services
Willowbridge Community Services is a multi-service agency offering counselling and developmental services. They support individuals needing assistance with mental health and developmental disabilities by focusing on building new skills, improving relationships, and connecting to services within the community.
The Brant Community Foundation is pleased to have provided funding support for their Rapid Access Brief Service program!
Scientists in School
Scientists in School aims to ignite scientific curiosity in children so they can question intelligently, learn through discovery, engage with STEM, and have their interest in those fields encouraged. Funding has supported 25 hands-on experiential classroom and community workshops throughout Brant County, Brantford, Six Nations of the Grand River, and Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation in 2023-24.
The Brant Community Foundation is pleased to have provided funding support to the STEM workshops!
The Raw Carrot
The Raw Carrot is a social franchise that empowers people who face barriers to employment to secure their own livelihoods through the dignity of work. To further strengthen The Raw Carrot’s revenue generation, the Foundation contributed to funding their pilot project on corporate sponsorship development.
The Brant Community Foundation is proud to have supported this development initiative for The Raw Carrot!
Brantford Symphony Orchestra
Brantford Symphony Orchestra provides symphonic experiences, giving people of all ages opportunities for musical appreciation and education. This funding supported three concerts at the Sanderson Centre: “Walking Through the Fire”, “Deck the Halls” and “Classic Sax and Strings”. Look for their annual fundraising Book Fair.
The Brant Community Foundation is delighted to be a supporter of the Brantford Symphony Orchestra!
Canadian Mental Health Association, Brant Haldimand Norfolk Branch
The Canadian Mental Health Association, Brant Haldimand Norfolk Branch provides a comprehensive list of community outreach services to persons with mental illness and disorders through education, awareness, and support services. Funding went towards promotion and the running of Mental Health Week 2024, from May 6 – 11th.
The Brant Community Foundation is pleased to have provided funding support to the implementation of Mental Health Week 2024!
Community Resource Service
The Community Resource Service assists the community in many ways. Through the Brantford Food Bank , this funding went towards the 2024 Milk Inventory, purchasing milk for food bank clients for the year.
The Brant Community Foundation is honoured to support the delivery of healthy food through the Brantford Food Bank and the Community Resource Service!
JA South Western Ontario
Junior Achievement’s vision is a world where young people have the skillset and mindset to create thriving communities. Towards this, JA South Western Ontario offers learning experience programs based on three core pillars – Financial Health, Work Readiness, and Entrepreneurship. The Foundation’s funding assisted in JA’s capacity to deliver more programming within Brant County.
The Brant Community Foundation is delighted to be a supporter of JA South Western Ontario!
Child and Family Services of Grand Erie Foundation
The Child and Family Services of Grand Erie Foundation provides support to programs, services, and activities helping children and families who are in the care of Child and Family Services of Grand Erie. The funding went toward the printing of the colouring book “My Book of Safety”, a resource to help children 12 and under learn how to stay safe.
The Brant Community Foundation is honoured to support child safety resources by Child and Family Services of Grand Erie!
Arnold Anderson Sport Fund
The Arnold Anderson Sport Fund is dedicated to helping all youth receive a chance to participate in sports, serving children in Brantford, Brant County, Six Nations and surrounding areas. Their “Sponsor A Child” program provides grants up to $350 per youth toward registration fees.
The Brant Community Foundation is happy to have supported the Arnold Anderson Sport Fund through the BCF Children and Youth Recreation Grant!
St. Joseph’s Lifecare Foundation – Stedman Community Hospice
Funding from the Brant Community Foundation went towards The Legacy Creation Program at the Stedman Community Hospice, which provides time and space for patients, families, and loved ones to facilitate discussions and activities to help them create something that will make a memory – an item that the patient may leave with their loved ones as a legacy gift.
The Brant Community Foundation is proud to have supported The Legacy Creation Program!
Brant Land Trust
Brant Land Trust is dedicated to securing, protecting, and restoring functioning ecosystems and the rich biodiversity in Canada’s Carolinian region. The funding went towards establishing the Ignatius Cockshutt Forest Reserve Project, a 24.3 acre parcel of land along the banks of the Grand River.
The Brant Community Foundation is pleased to have provided funding support towards this new forest reserve!
Victim Services of Brant
Victim Services of Brant is a community-based agency that assists emergency services in providing accessible, confidential, client centered support to victims of crime, tragic circumstance, and disaster.
The Brant Community Foundation is honoured to support Victim Services of Brant!
St. Andrew’s United Church – Soup for the Soul
Soup for the Soul gives all people the opportunity for a free nutritious meal and social support services, serving any person in or from the Brantford, Brant, or Six Nations communities experiencing financial hardship, food insecurity, or physical need. The emergency meal program that this grant funded continues to serve 600+ meals a week to some of the most vulnerable within our community.
The Brant Community Foundation is proud to have supported Soup for the Soul’s emergency meal program!
The Brantford Music Club
The Brantford Music Club was founded around 1902, making it the second oldest organization of its type in Canada. BMC presents an annual series of 4 concerts highlighting Canadian artists.
The Brant Community Foundation is delighted to be a supporter of the Brantford Music Club!
The Six Nations Art Council – The Red Barn
The Six Nations Art Council’s mission is to instruct/teach handmade crafts to Six Nations community members. The Council offers children ages 9 – 14 a creative workshop called “The Red Barn” for 2 weeks in July, with space for 120 students and up to 18 different crafts to learn. This grant funded supplies for the workshop.
The Brant Community Foundation is delighted to be a supporter of The Red Barn!
Kids Can Fly
Kids Can Fly acts as a catalyst for change to support early learning and parenting. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Canada is a free book gifting program devoted to inspiring a love of reading in young children. Funding by the Foundation extended this program through Kids Can Fly – last year a quarter million books were mailed to local children.
The Brant Community Foundation is delighted to be a supporter of Kids Can Fly!
Strong Start Charitable Organization
Strong Start’s mission is to help young children learn to read by providing unique programs through community-wide partnerships.
The Brant Community Foundation is happy to assist with funding the Letters, Sounds and Words program for literacy development!
Navy League of Canada
The Brantford Branch of Navy League of Canada provides free after school programming for youth aged 9 – 18, instilling leadership, confidence, and access to fun physical activities.
The Brant Community Foundation is happy to have supported the Navy League’s after school program through the BCF Children and Youth Recreation Grant!
Glenhyrst Art Gallery of Brant
The Glenhyrst Art Gallery of Brant is a public arts centre for all citizens of Brantford, Brant County, and Six Nations. Its role is to encourage appreciation, enjoyment, and education in the arts. Funding supported Glenhyrst bringing six annual exhibits to Brantford which offered a snapshot of our local creative talent as well as a landscape of regional and national mid career artists.
The Brant Community Foundation is delighted to be a supporter of the Glenhyrst Art Gallery of Brant!
Child Hunger Brantford
Child Hunger Brantford supports children and their families through education and nutritional programs that nurture their potential. Grant funding went towards the Kids Lunch Club that provides healthy, free lunches daily to elementary school children who may be experiencing food security issues.
The Brant Community Foundation is proud to have supported Child Hunger Brantford’s Kids Lunch Club program!
Sexual Assault Centre of Brant
The Sexual Assault Centre of Brant’s mission is to provide services that promote healing for survivors of sexual violence, and create social change through advocacy, education, and collaboration. In spring 2023, SAC’s records and archives were damaged in a flood and this grant provided funding to safeguard and digitize 30 years of valuable and confidential documents.
The Brant Community Foundation is proud to have supported document recovery services at the Sexual Assault Centre of Brant!
Canadian National Institute for the Blind
CNIB is a national organization serving people of all ages who live with sight loss. The grant helped the CNIB Brantford Mobile Hub visit 150+ people living with sight loss in Brantford in 2024. This programming pop-up teaches new skills and provides access to recreational, social, and employment opportunities.
The Brant Community Foundation is delighted to be a supporter of the Canadian National Institute for the Blind!
Telephone City Musical Society
TCMS is the oldest continually operating concert band, running for over 100 years in the City of Brantford, and always welcomes new members. The band partners with local schools, churches, and performing arts organizations.
The Brant Community Foundation is delighted to be a supporter of the Telephone City Musical Society!
Crossing All Bridges Learning Centre
Crossing All Bridges Learning Centre provides programs to develop life skills for participants in an inclusive, welcoming environment. CABLC offers five programs for all ages living with various developmental disabilities. Funding went towards their Culinary Enhancement Initiative, developing work experience within a coffee shop setting.
The Brant Community Foundation is delighted to be a supporter of the Culinary Enhancement Initiative!
Brant Waterways Foundation
The Brant Waterways Foundation supports projects that protect and enhance the Grand River and adjacent lands in Brant County, Brantford, and Six Nations of the Grand River. The 11th Annual Brantford Community Tree Plant 2024 met its goal of planting 1,000 native trees and shrubs.
The Brant Community Foundation is proud to have supported the Brant Waterways Foundation tree planting initiative!
Organized Kaos
Organized Kaos exists to apprentice young people in life and trade, inspiring hope and purpose. It is a safe environment for young people to work and learn alongside volunteer skilled tradespersons. With growth from 21 to 43 mentors, the programs can now double the students able to participate, which led to the need for more space. The grant went towards OK’s new shop launch in Paris, ON.
The Brant Community Foundation is delighted to be a supporter of Organized Kaos!
Nova Vita Domestic Violence Prevention Services
Nova Vita works to end interpersonal violence and abuse by supporting individuals and families through intervention, counselling, public education, and systemic advocacy. This grant assisted in extending the Volunteer Program, including the capacity of the Volunteer Coordinator.
The Brant Community Foundation is proud to have supported volunteer services at Nova Vita Domestic Violence Prevention Services!
Nova Vita Domestic Violence Prevention Services – Camp Nova
Nova Vita is an emergency shelter for individuals and families experiencing abuse. Their summer camp, Camp Nova, is a daily program offered each week of the summer break for children staying at Nova Vita aged 3 – 16. The camp includes fun, local activities such as popcorn at the movies, a visit to the zoo, and bowling.
The Brant Community Foundation is proud to have supported Camp Nova through the BCF Children and Youth Recreation Grant!
Brant Community Healthcare System Foundation
BCHS Foundation is committed to raising critical funds to support the top priority needs for The Brantford General and The Willett, Paris for provision of compassionate patient care and investment in new and innovative technology. The funding supported the purchase of equipment and renovations to the new emergency department at Brantford General.
The Brant Community Foundation is proud to have supported the Brantford General Hospital’s emergency department’s renovation and new equipment!
Brant Food For Thought
Brant Food for Thought contributes to a child’s ability to learn by supporting and facilitating non-stigmatizing Universal Student Nutrition Programs in elementary and secondary schools in Brantford and the County of Brant. Funding went towards the purchase of nutritious food for this program, benefitting students aged 3 to 18.
The Brant Community Foundation is happy to have supported Brant Food for Thought’s nutritious food school program!
The Little String Orchestra
The Little String Orchestra is a string orchestra that fosters friendships and enhances personal growth. Members of all ages learn a diverse musical repertoire. The BCF funds went towards running the 2023 – 2024 orchestra season.
The Brant Community Foundation is pleased to have provided funding support to the Little String Orchestra’s concert season!
JDRF
JDRF has led the search for a cure for T1D, type 1 diabetes, in Canada since its founding in 1974. The ConnecT1D project hosted three events for Brant County residents of all ages and stages in their journey with this disease by bringing the community together in person to connect, learn about advances in technology, and support one another. Funding supported a technology event that provided information about T1D devices, a family engagement event focusing on children and teens, and an adult engagement series.
The Brant Community Foundation is honoured to have supported this vital resource for the community!
Vision into the Future Conference
At the 2024 ‘Vision into the Future – the World is Waiting’ conference, held at Laurier University and the Sanderson Centre in Brantford, 500 high school aged students were immersed in STEM ideas, topics, issues, and applications as they relate to science, technology, engineering and mathematics in their futures.
The Brant Community Foundation is delighted to be a supporter of the Vision 2024 STEM Conference!
BGC Brantford
BGC Brantford provides a safe, supportive place where children and youth can experience new opportunities, overcome barriers, build positive relationships, and develop confidence and skills for life. The funding enabled BGC to enhance their IT hardware, systems, and processes.
The Brant Community Foundation is pleased to have provided funding support for the new equipment and systems for BGC Brantford!
Brant Music Festival
The Brant Music Festival promotes engagement, education, and excellence in music and the performing arts through an annual festival, showcasing adjudicated performances by local music students. The funding went toward costs of running the festival that ran April 29 – May 4, 2024.
The Brant Community Foundation is happy to have supported the Brant Music Festival!
Brant-Brantford Crime Stoppers
Brant-Brantford Crime Stoppers mobilizes the community to provide anonymous information to assist in solving crime. Crime Stoppers serves Brant County, Brantford, Six Nations of the Grand River, and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nations. The funding supported operations as well as an on-going public awareness campaign.
The Brant Community Foundation is happy to have supported crime prevention and awareness initiatives by Brant-Brantford Crime Stoppers!
Canadian Military Heritage Museum
The Canadian Military Heritage Museum conserves and promotes Canada’s military heritage by providing opportunities for education, interpretation, research, and programming. Funding supported the museum facility, exhibits, and cultural activities.
The Brant Community Foundation is delighted to be a supporter of the Canadian Military Heritage Museum!
Federated Women’s Institutes of Canada – Adelaide Hunter Hoodless Homestead
FWIC owns and operates the Adelaide Hunter Hoodless Homestead Museum, a National Historic Site of Canada located in Brant County. Funding by the BCF went towards increasing the capacity to provide social and educational events and workshops at the museum.
The Brant Community Foundation is pleased to have provided funding support to the programming at the Adelaide Hunter Hoodless Homestead Museum!
Hearts to Homes Feline Rescue & Sanctuary
Hearts to Homes’ mission statement is “Stop Pet Overpopulation & End the Suffering – Adopt, Foster, Neuter & Educate.” The Brantford based charity provides veterinary care and re-homing for lost, stray, and abandoned cats and kittens. This grant provided funding towards spaying and neutering, veterinary care, and food.
The Brant Community Foundation is proud to have supported the care and re-homing of cats and kittens being helped by Hearts to Homes Feline Rescue & Sanctuary!
Jaycees Brantford Non-Profit Homes
Jaycees Brantford Non-Profit Homes is committed to building strong families and communities by providing stable, safe, affordable homes, since 1985 in Brantford. This grant supported their Tiny Homes project, which the collaborative intends to use as a potential start for many such projects locally.
The Brant Community Foundation is pleased to have provided funding support to the implementation of Jaycee’s Tiny Homes project!
Lansdowne Children’s Centre Foundation
The Lansdowne Children’s Centre is a treatment centre supporting infants, children, and youth with communication, developmental, and / or physical needs, and their families. This grant supported the Every Kid Counts: Inclusive Community Support Program. This program helps children with special needs by allowing them equal opportunity to participate in local recreation programs of their choice.
The Brant Community Foundation is delighted to be a supporter of the Lansdowne Children’s Centre Foundation!
Oakland Scotland Public School
The Oakland Scotland Public School received funding from the BCF towards their Playground Restoration Fundraiser to replace the previous structure with a completion date estimated to be around September 2024.
The Brant Community Foundation is pleased to have supported the purchase of new playground equipment for Oakland Scotland Public School!
RPlaces Transition Centre
RPlaces offers a range of no-cost, no waiting list mental health supports to mainly low-income participants from the region. Clients are over the age of 18 and have challenges such as addictions, incarceration, trauma, and illness. Funding from the Foundation went towards an ongoing Anger Management Program at no cost to participants.
The Brant Community Foundation is proud to have supported the mental health programming at RPlaces!
STEM Camp
STEM Camp has a mission to inspire youth through participating in hands-on activities in the STEM fields – science, technology, engineering, and mathematics – and offers a camp in Brantford.
The Brant Community Foundation’s Children and Youth Recreation Grant assisted in sending 5 youth to camp for one week!
Grand River Chorus
The GRC is a mixed voice, auditioned choir that presents 4 concerts a year at St. Pius Catholic Church in Brantford. 2024 is The Grand River Chorus’ 25th Anniversary.
The Brant Community Foundation is pleased to have provided funding support to the chorus and wishes the Grand River Chorus a happy 25th Anniversary year!
YMCA of Hamilton | Burlington | Brantford
The YMCA creates a vibrant and healthy community where everyone belongs and has the opportunity to reach their full potential. Funding from the Foundation went towards a 3-day seminar at Camp Wanakita in Haliburton ON for youth aged 10 – 18 to develop and nurture the young leader’s social, communication, and leadership skills.
The Brant Community Foundation is pleased to have provided funding support to this young leader seminar at Camp Wanakita!