Grants in Action 2025
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!
Arcady
Arcady is a professional arts training and performance organization dedicated to the mentorship of emerging artists and producing quality cultural events. With support from Brant Community Foundation, Arcady’s opera “Ruth”, a historical timepiece of Brantford’s culture, returned to Brantford for a summer performance featuring musicians from Brantford and surrounding areas, a chamber orchestra, and world class soloists.
Arnold Anderson Sport Fund
One day, there will be sports for all kids – this is the belief of Arnold Anderson Sport Fund. Supported by Brant Community Foundation, the AASF Sponsor a Child program assists children with sport registration fees, allowing them to participate in sports that create a sense of belonging and improved physical and mental health.
Autism Dog Services
Service dogs at Autism Dog Services are specifically trained to work with youth with autism. Service dogs allow youth to safely participate in school and community activities while providing companionship and safety. Brant Community Foundation supports Autism Dog Services in their work of matching individuals with highly trained service dogs.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Grand Erie, Halton and Hamilton
Igniting the potential of young people through mentoring – this is at the core of what Big Brothers Big Sisters does. Brant Community Foundation supported Group Mentoring opportunities at Big Brothers Big Sisters, and their work in helping youth set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships and make responsible decisions.
BGC Brantford
BGC Brantford provides safe, supportive places where children and youth build positive relationships and develop the skills and confidence for life. Brant Community Foundation has provided funding for new and safe athletic equipment for the Boys and Girls Clubhouse, to ensure youth continue to have access to quality and affordable recreational programs.
Brant-Brantford Crime Stoppers
The “Protect Your Ride” campaign is an example of how Brant-Brantford Crime Stoppers performs community outreach and raises public awareness around safety issues. Supported by Brant Community Foundation, Protect Your Ride will provide practical tools and strategies and educate the public on how to protect their vehicles.
Brant Community Healthcare System Foundation
The Brant Community Healthcare System (BCHS) Foundation raises critical funds to support the top priority needs for the Brantford General Hospital and The Willett, Paris. This includes medical equipment, essential resources, and investing in new and innovative technology. Brant Community Foundation provided funding for a Microdebrider, a tool used in ENT surgeries, to benefit the Operating Room.
Brant County Singers
The Brant County Singers is a women’s chorus dedicated to sharing its love of music with the community and providing a supportive learning environment for its members. Having the right technology is an important part of this. Brant Community Foundation provided funding for equipment that supports the work of choristers and allows all choir members to access musical scores.
Brant County SPCA
Brant County SPCA envisions a future where all animals in Brant and beyond have a kind, compassionate, and safe environment. The H.O.P.E. Program (Helping Owned Pets in Emergencies) supported by the Brant Community Foundation is one of the initiatives that exemplifies this goal – by providing short-term care for pets of families experiencing life-altering emergencies.
Brant Food for Thought
Brant Food for Thought provides Universal Student Nutrition Programs in elementary and secondary schools in the City of Brantford and County of Brant. Brant Community Foundation provided funding for nutritious foods distributed through Universal Student Nutrition Programs, which provide students with equitable access to healthy food options.
Brant Land Trust
Brant Land Trust secures, protects, and restores functioning ecosystems and biodiversity in the County of Brant and City of Brantford, and is committed to habitat restoration, stewardship and outreach. The Brant Community Foundation has provided support to the Trust in their conservation and education efforts including removal of invasive species, costs of maintaining the properties, and educational materials for outreach initiatives.
Brant Music Festival
The Brant Music Festival provides an annual adjudicated festival that promotes engagement, education, and excellence in music and the performance arts. The Brant Community Foundation supported the 2025 Brant Music Festival, which provided opportunities for students to fully develop their talents and share their music with others.
Brant Waterways Foundation - Brant Tree Coalition
The Brant Community Foundation provided funding for native trees and shrubs for two community tree planting events organized by Brant Waterways Foundation – Brant Tree Coalition in April 2025. 2,370 native trees and shrubs were planted by 450 high school students at the 16th Annual High School Tree Plant. Over 120 members of the community planted 1,000 native trees and shrubs at D’Aubigny Creek Park. Foundation staff were happy to participate in this event!
Brantford Blessing Centre
Brantford Blessing Centre believes that “Hope Starts with a Hot Meal,” in a safe, welcoming place for every person who walks through their doors. In support of Brantford Blessing Centre’s daily meal program, Brant Community Foundation provided funds to purchase freezers that allow larger capacity to store food efficiently, ultimately limiting food waste and increasing the variety of meals offered to those in need.
Brantford Seniors Resource Centre
The Brantford Seniors Resource Centre provides a central location to assist seniors with access to government services, information, and other essential programming. Support from the Brant Community Foundation towards these services include funding for the income tax clinic equipment, resources for classes taught through the day support program, and food for the hot meal program and food bank.
Brantford Symphony Orchestra
The mission of the Brantford Symphony Orchestra is to provide symphonic experiences and opportunities for musical appreciation and education to people of all ages. The Refuge Project, supported by Brant Community Foundation, is a collaborative concert that aims to provide newcomers with an opportunity for a cultural experience and a sense of belonging within the community.!
Camp Quality Canada
Camp Quality Canada provides children with cancer and blood disorders with fun camp adventures where campers are no longer defined by illness, participate in new activities, make friends, and create memories. Brant Community Foundation supported Camp Quality Southern Ontario in offering the joy of camp to children from Brantford and surrounding areas.
Canadian Industrial Heritage Centre
The Canadian Industrial Heritage Centre is dedicated to the preservation of Canada’s industrial heritage. The 2025 Immigrant Memories of Brantford project focused on the legacies of Brantford’s Black community. Brant Community Foundation provided support for the curation and development of the museum exhibit portion of the event, “Roots and Routes: Black Brantford – Freedom Seekers, Community Builders.”
Canadian Mental Health Association, Brant Haldimand Norfolk Branch
The Mental Health Week Planning Committee is a collaboration of community agencies responsible for planning Mental Health Week, a national awareness campaign on the importance of mental health, with activities and events open to all members of the community. Brant Community Foundation provided support to the campaign’s kick off event and promotion.
Canadian Military Heritage Museum
The Canadian Military Heritage Museum conserves and promotes Canada’s military heritage. With operational support from Brant Community Foundation, the museum provides a facility for preserving our military history, houses exhibits and artifacts for educational purposes, and engages with the community through programming.
Canadian National Institute for the Blind
The Canadian National Institute for the Blind delivers innovative programs and advocacy empowering people impacted by blindness. The CNIB Mobile Hub is a travelling, fully accessible programming pop-up that delivers free programs for people impacted by sight loss. With support from Brant Community Foundation, the CNIB Mobile Hub in Brant allows participants to learn new skills, experience accessible technology, and partake in recreational and social opportunities.
Child and Family Services of Grand Erie Foundation
The Child and Family Services of Grand Erie Foundation supports programs that enhance the safety and well-being of children and youth. With support from Brant Community Foundation, CFSGEF provides children with the opportunity to experience “Quintessential childhood moments” such as summer camp, annual day trips, extra-curricular activities, and attending community events.
Child Hunger Brantford
Child Hunger Brantford offers programs that serve children and families facing food insecurity. Brant Community Foundation supported Child Hunger’s mission of ensuring every child in Brantford has access to nutritious food by supporting the Kids Lunch Program, which provides children and youth access to nutritious snacks and lunches at local schools
Circle Square Ranch
The mission of Circle Square Ranch is to provide a life-changing summer camp experience. It offers horsemanship programs, traditional camp activities, and volunteer opportunities to youth, adults and seniors. Brant Community Foundation provided support in the maintenance and replacement of equipment essential to providing safe and efficient operation of the camp property at Circle Square Ranch.
Community Living Brant
Community Living Brant provides services that focus on people having full, connected, meaningful lives. Project Search is a co-op experience supported by Brant Community Foundation for students with a developmental disability, that provides participants the opportunity to gain skills and experience different types of employment opportunities.
Community Resource and Employment Service
The Community Resource and Employment Service offers food security and employment programs – one of these is the Community Food Share Network, in which larger food donations are shared across 19 meal and food programs in our communities. BCF provided support through funding for produce, dairy, and other fresh foods to share across the network.
Crossing All Bridges Learning Centre
Crossing All Bridges offers educational programs to youth and adults living with developmental disabilities, creating a more inclusive, understanding, and vibrant community. Brant Community Foundation supported “Social Opportunities,” which provides the chance for individuals served by Crossing All Bridges to experience large social activities, such as attending a Toronto Blue Jays game.
Federated Women's Institutes of Canada
Adelaide Hunter Hoodless Homestead Museum is a National Historic site of Canada located in Brant County, owned and operated by the Federated Women’s Institutes of Canada. With support from Brant Community Foundation, the Museum offers educational and fellowship programming for families, seniors and youth.
Five Oaks
The Outdoor Education programs at Five Oaks provide a full range of nature-based experiences with activities such as hiking, rafting, and wildlife observation. Brant Community Foundation supported the Five Oaks Adventure Camp, where children can explore the local river ecosystem, connect with nature, and learn valuable outdoor skills.
Glenhyrst Art Gallery of Brant
Glenhyrst Art Gallery of Brant provides six annual exhibits to the larger community of Brantford, Brant, Six Nations of the Grand River and surrounding areas. Brant Community Foundation supported the 2025 exhibits at Glenhryst Art Gallery, which provide access to the visual arts, educates our community and evokes conversation and inspiration in a way that is accessible and approachable for everyone.
Grand River Chorus
The Grand River Chorus contributes to a vibrant arts and cultural sector in Brantford and surrounding area. Its mixed voice, auditioned choir provides the community with a four-concert series annually. Brant Community Foundation provided support for the Chorus’ 2025 season, as well as its Next Generation Artists program, which provides opportunities for music students to participate in a community choir.
Grand River Conservation Foundation
Brantford/Brant Children’s Water Festival, supported by the Grand River Conservation Foundation, brings together the expertise of educators, water quality and quantity specialists, volunteers, and conservation groups. Brant Community Foundation supported the 2025 Festival, which provided 1,400 students the opportunity to discover the importance of water in their lives and communities through 37 interactive activity centres.
Grand River Council on Aging
“Creating a Community for a Lifetime” for everyone from “5 to 105” is the aim of the Grand River Council on Aging through its mission of Promoting the Voices of Lived Experience. With support from Brant Community Foundation, the GRCOA uses workshops, newsletters, website resources, and social media to share information aimed at promoting an age friendly community.
Grand River Employment & Training Inc.
The Children’s Creative Workshop “The Red Barn” is offered by the Six Nations Art Council to 120 Six Nations youth and provides the opportunity to learn and make up to 16 different crafts and projects. Brant Community Foundation supported the Red Barn through funding for craft supplies. Crafts created by the youth are displayed for parents and community members during an open house, instilling pride in culture and heritage for the participants.
Grandview Theatre Company
“The Voice of the River” is a collaborative production between Grandview Theatre Company, the Canadian Centre for Rural Creativity, Shadowland Theatre, and the Hamilton Aerial Group. With support from Brant Community Foundation, the production will travel the length of the Grand River over 18 summer nights, where artists and local participants will perform in each community.
Hearts to Homes Feline Rescue & Sanctuary
Hearts to Homes Feline Rescue & Sanctuary is a rescue dedicated to the welfare of cats and kittens, helping families and seniors in need keep their pets, and slowing the growth of pet overpopulation. Brant Community Foundation provided Hearts to Homes funding for food and veterinary costs.
Help a Child Smile
Help a Child Smile brings joy into the lives of children with cancer by providing opportunities to attend events and activities with their parents and siblings. To ensure families can access resources available through Help a Child Smile, Brant Community Foundation supported the creation of a new, accessible website that will connect parents, donors, and volunteers with information they need.
Hotinohsioni Inc.
Hotinohsioni Inc., also known as Brantford Native Housing (BNH), is dedicated to offering safe, dignified and wrap around housing and program options for urban and rural Indigenous peoples. Brant Community Foundation provided funding for community programming such as beadwork, storytelling, drumming and crafting, that aims to strengthen the cultural identity of participants and enhance the well-being of Indigenous community members.
JA South Western Ontario
Junior Achievement South Western Ontario delivers free, hands-on, immersive education in the topics of work readiness, financial health, and entrepreneurship to youth. With support from Brant Community Foundation, JA SWO delivered learning experiences in Brant County for young people to develop the skills needed to build successful careers, prepare for entrepreneurship, and thrive financially.
Kids Can Fly
“If we want to invest in early literacy, children need books to read” – Kids Can Fly exemplifies this belief through the program Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. The program, supported by the Brant Community Foundation, provides thousands of books in the mail, free of charge, to local children every month.
Lansdowne Children's Centre
Lansdowne Children’s Centre provides programs supporting infants, children and youth with communication, developmental, and/or physical needs, and their families. With support from Brant Community Foundation, Lansdowne provides CARE Camps: A Place to Grow, an inclusive and accessible summer camp experience that provides activities designed to build meaningful relationships, promote independence, and the opportunities to try new things.
Liberty for Youth
Liberty for Youth provides safe mentoring relationships with at risk youth to help build character and create positive lifestyles. Brant Community Foundation provided support for The Liberty Equine Assisted Development (LEAD) Program which offers youth mentorship experiences to build life skills, employment skills, and horsemanship.
Navy League of Canada - Brantford Branch
The Navy League of Canada – Brantford Branch provides youth programming that instills leadership, citizenship and confidence through sailing, first aid, and other naval related competitions. Brant Community Foundation provided support for the Admiral Landymore Cadet Corps uniforms worn by cadets while they serve the community, participate in Remembrance Day ceremonies, and sell poppies.
Nova Vita Domestic Violence Prevention Services
Nova Vita works to end interpersonal violence and abuse by supporting individuals and families through crisis intervention, emergency shelter, transitional support, children’s programs and counselling. Volunteers are a vital part of this programming, and Brant Community Foundation provided support for Nova Vita’s Helping Hands, Helping Hearts volunteer program.
Organized Kaos
Organized Kaos helps young people learn about the skilled trades while building meaningful relationships through mentorship. The Core Mentorship program pairs youth with a mentor during a skilled trade program, where mentors apprentice students through life and trade. The Brant Community Foundation supported the expansion of the Welding Core Mentorship Program through funding for materials and tools for the students and their mentors.
Paris Agricultural Society
The mission of the Paris Agricultural Society is to promote and conserve agriculture through the County of Brant and surrounding areas, including through the annual Paris Fair. BCF provided support for the 2025 Paris Fair, which marked 167 years of bringing together agriculture, entertainment, and community.
Paris Port Dover Pipe Band
Paris Port Dover Pipe Band offers instruction to young people of any skill level, while supporting local service clubs through performances of Scottish music at ceremonies, memorials, parades and events. Brant Community Foundation supported the Band in providing high quality programming through funding for their Bagpipes and Drums Teaching and Development program.
Sanderson Centre Foundation
“Moving lights bring life to an event space and have the ability to change the atmosphere.” Brant Community Foundation supported the “Moving Lights Project,” by the Sanderson Centre Foundation. This project aims to attract high profile shows and maintain a professional theatre experience for renters and patrons through adding moving lights to the Sanderson Centre’s lighting capabilities.
Scientists in School
Scientists in School aims to ignite scientific curiosity in children, with a vision for all children in Canada to be actively involved in the seeing, doing, and understanding of science. Brant Community Foundation supported the provision of STEM workshops in classrooms across elementary schools in Brant and surrounding areas.
Sensity
Sensity supports individuals who are deafblind or facing sensory challenges through a person-centered approach, creating environments where every individual can thrive, within their home or in the community. “Together at the Table,” supported by Brant Community Foundation, is a new inclusive meal program that provides healthy meal options weekly in a social setting for individuals supported by Sensity.
St. Andrew's United Church
“No one in the Brantford Area goes hungry.” This is the goal of the Soup for the Soul Emergency Meal Program at St. Andrew’s United Church. With support from Brant Community Foundation, Soup for the Soul serves hot and nutritious meals to those in need five days a week, 52 weeks a year.
St. Joseph's Lifecare Foundation
The inpatient Stedman Community Hospice at St. Joseph’s Lifecare Centre provides quality end-of-life care to patients, supporting the individual, their family and friends in a home-like setting. With support from Brant Community Foundation, Stedman Community Hospice looks and feels like a beautiful home, with patient rooms having items of comfort such as fireplaces and televisions.
St. Mark's Church
St. Mark’s Church offers services through their program “Enhancing the Lives of Older Adults,” providing the opportunity to learn, socialize, exercise and receive welcoming support. Brant Community Foundation provided funding for activities including Gentle Fitness, Lunch and Learns, and distribution of food to community members experiencing food insecurity.
STEM Camp Foundation
The mission of STEM Camp is to inspire Canadian youth through hands-on activities in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. Support from Brant Community Foundation increased access to unique STEM learning experiences, allowing participants to attend coding classes and robotics activities.
Strong Start Charitable Organization
“All Children Read” is the Vision of Strong Start – and their mission is to help young children learn to read by providing unique programs through community-wide partnerships. Brant Community Foundation supported Strong Start’s Letters, Sounds and Words program, which provides children in the Brantford and surrounding area targeted literacy support through educational games and activities.
Supporting Every Eve's Daughter Safely
The mission of S.E.E.D.S is to provide housing, help, and healing for survivors of sexual exploitation through holistic, long-term care. The Renewed Hope for Survivors program is supported by Brant Community Foundation and provides essential services such as therapy, dental care and trauma support to survivors.
The Brantford Music Club
The Brantford Music Club presents an annual series of four concerts, with the objectives of enhancing interest in the arts, to encourage and give employment to Canadian artists, and to assist musicians in the early stages of their professional life. Brant Community Foundation supported two concerts in the Canadian Artists Series at the Sanderson Centre; The Young Artists Recital featuring local young artists, and Louise Pitre, Canada’s first lady of musical theatre.
The Raw Carrot Soup Enterprise
The Raw Carrot is a social enterprise that empowers people with barriers to traditional employment to secure their own livelihoods and is dedicated to ensuring lasting impact and long-term sustainability. Brant Community Foundation provided funding for operational processes that will contribute to Raw Carrot’s sustainability goals.
Victim Services of Brant
Victim Services of Brant assists emergency services in providing client-centred, confidential support to victims of crime, tragic circumstances, and disaster. Brant Community Foundation supported Victim Services of Brant and the vital programming they provide in our community.
Why Not City Missions
Why Not City Mission’s Youth Centre is a vibrant hub where at-risk youth can gather every evening for companionship, and essential support and services, including a nightly meal program and food pantry. Why Not also provides meals within their housing programs. Brant Community Foundation provided funding for maintaining the food security and dinner programs offered by Why Not City Missions.
YMCA Hamilton Burlington Brantford
YMCA of HBB creates a vibrant and healthy community through programs and services designed to meet the needs of all people. Beyond the Bell, supported by Brant Community Foundation, is one of these programs, and provides educational technology to students from the Six Nations of the Grand River as well as workshops teaching students and educators the responsible use of technology and safe online practices.