Grants in Action 2026
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
Four operas, three world premieres, two remarkable evening shows… all adding up to one ambitious, successful 2026 spring season for Arcady, a local professional arts training and performance organization. Brant Community Foundation supported Arcady’s goals of promoting local musicians, emerging artists, artistic excellence, and bringing world-class cultural events to local communities.
Arnold Anderson Sport Fund
Brant Community Foundation’s support of the Empower and Play Access Fund is helping break down financial barriers so children and youth can enjoy the benefits of organized sports and recreational activities. For 25 years, the Arnold Anderson Sport Fund has helped level the playing field, supporting more than 5,900 kids and families in local underserved communities.
Autism Dog Services
The life-changing benefits of matching young people with autism with specially trained service dogs are profound. Funding support from Brant Community Foundation will support Autism Dog Services to increase the number of successfully trained service dogs available for service work. This funding will strengthen outreach across the Brantford area and help reduce wait lists for those in need.
BGC Brantford
Creating brighter futures for children and families! Demand continues to grow for BGC Brantford’s programs, which provide safe and supportive spaces where children can play, learn, and build connections. With support from the Brant Community Foundation, vital IT infrastructure upgrades are helping to strengthen operations and improve the delivery of programs, including a new licensed childcare centre and expanded before- and after-school programs.
Brant County Singers
This local women’s chorus has been delighting audiences with their concerts and performances for many years. Their Spring 2026 concert is a celebration of the group’s 55th anniversary! Brant Community Foundation congratulates the Brant County Singers on this milestone anniversary and is pleased to support continued success with funding for the purchase of new music stands and supplies for the growing base of chorus members.
Brant County SPCA
Life can present unexpected challenges, and the Brant County SPCA empathizes with the difficult situations that pet owners may find themselves in. Recognizing the human element behind the pets we love, our Helping Owned Pets in Emergency (H.O.P.E.) Program steps in to provide compassionate and short-term solutions, offering families relief during life-altering emergencies. Brant Community Foundation supported the H.O.P.E. Program through necessary funds for medical attention and housing for the pets receiving care through this incredible program.
Brant Food for Thought
Brant Food for Thought helps ensure students have access to the nutritious food they need to learn, grow, and thrive. With nearly 13,000 students ages 3–18 participating in Student Nutrition Programs across both local school boards, the need continues to grow. Brant Community Foundation is proud to support these programs by helping provide high-quality ingredients for healthy meals and snacks that fuel success in the classroom and beyond.
Brant Music Festival
Brant Community Foundation’s support of the 2026 Brant Music Festival contributed to the smooth and successful operation of the long-running annual adjudicated competition. Students of all ages get the opportunity to showcase their talents and receive invaluable feedback that will further their musical education and progress. Over eight inspiring days, participants, judges, volunteers, and audiences come together to celebrate the dedication and creativity of young musicians across the community.
Brantford Music Club
The Young Artists Recital is a longstanding local tradition of The Brantford Music Club. One of four concerts the Club presents annually, the recital offers a valuable opportunity for young musicians to perform in front of a large audience. Brant Community Foundation provided funding for this year’s recital that featured a violinist, pianist and school concert band. BCF also supported the final concert of the season featuring acclaimed Canadian pianist Philip Chiu.
Brantford Native Housing
Brantford Native Housing (BNH), serves as the primary Indigenous-led housing provider in Brantford and the surrounding rural communities of Brant County. Programs address the social, cultural, and practical needs of community members, including food provision and nutrition support. Brant Community Foundation is proud to support the expansion of BNH’s Food Security Project, helping create greater access to essential resources and strengthening community well-being.
Camp Quality
Having fun, making friends, learning and laughing… Camp Quality offers all the invaluable benefits of a first-rate camping experience to children and youth coping with cancer and blood disorders. With support from the Brant Community Foundation, this summer three local youth will spend a week participating in social and recreational activities and enjoying the amenities at Camp Quality’s Southern Ontario location.
Canadian Mental Health Association
Brant Haldimand Norfolk Branch
Raising awareness about mental health and reducing stigma helps ensure residents know where to turn for support for themselves, their families, and their loved ones. Brant Community Foundation was proud to support Mental Health Week in May, helping fund events and activities that encouraged connection, conversation, and access to important resources.
Community Resource and Employment Service
Community Resource Service’s vital services to the residents of Brantford include the emergency food bank, where individuals and families can access a selection of nutritious food. A related initiative – Caring Beyond the Table – expands the food bank offerings to include essential care items such as basic toiletries, feminine hygiene supplies, cleaning products, and infant care needs like diapers, wipes and formula. Support from the Brant Community Foundation will help ensure essential items are available to community members who need them most.
Contact Brant
For more than 25 years, Contact Brant has been a trusted point of access for children’s services and supports for individuals of all ages with developmental disabilities. Brant Community Foundation’s support helped advance the work of the Child & Youth Strategic Collaborative (CYSC), a multi-sector committee that works to promote the best possible outcomes for children, youth and families through advocacy, public awareness and the coordinated delivery of services.
Five Oaks Centre
The Outdoor Education programs at Five Oaks Centre offer children and youth a wide range of active, nature-based experiences that focus on skills development, leadership, environmental connection, and personal growth. This year, with support from the Brant Community Foundation, the Centre’s Acorn Adventure Day Camp will be enhanced by the rental of large, high-quality outdoor tents that will serve as versatile, weather-protected spaces for meals, crafts, STEM projects, group games, and creative play.
Glenhyrst Art Gallery of Brant
Glenhyrst Art Gallery of Brant provides residents and visitors to Brantford, Brant County and Six Nations of the Grand River with provocative and interesting art exhibits created by professional, mid-career artists from the local area, regionally, and abroad. These exhibits help sustain and enhance the arts and cultural opportunities in our communities. Brant Community Foundation is proud to support the gallery’s 2026 exhibits that will fascinate, educate and inspire conversation among visitors.
Grand River Conservation Foundation - Children's Water Festival
Events can be both great fun and highly educational, and the annual Brantford/Brant Children’s Water Festival checks both boxes! This festival is an initiative of the Grand River Conservation Authority and is supported by the Grand River Conservation Foundation. Thanks to the dedication of volunteers and financial support, including a grant from the Brant Community Foundation, 1,400 Grade 4 students from Brantford, Brant County, and Six Nations of the Grand River learned about the importance of water conservation through 35 interactive stations and presentations with local experts.
Grand River Council on Aging
The Grand River Council on Aging works to build age-friendly communities by connecting residents with valuable information, resources and opportunities through its website, workshops, newsletters and social media platforms. The Council champions the rights, needs and optimal quality of life of those with lived experience. With support from the Brant Community Foundation, this year’s community awareness efforts will include the development of a Housing Guide for Older Adults. The guide will help residents better understand available housing options and make informed decisions about where to live both now and in the future.
Grand River Employment & Training
The Red Barn
Grand River Employment & Training’s “The Red Barn” is a children’s creative workshop that helps Six Nations youth (ages 9–14) connect with their culture and heritage by learning the knowledge and skills behind traditional Indigenous crafts. Brant Community Foundation’s support helped provide supplies for 16 unique crafts that youth will create and showcase throughout the summer, encouraging creativity and pride in their traditions.
Hearts to Homes Feline Rescue & Sanctuary
“Every cat matters here.” Hearts to Homes is helping reduce pet overpopulation and improve animal well-being by providing abandoned, stray, and surrendered cats and kittens with a second chance through loving foster homes. With support from the Brant Community Foundation, Hearts to Homes can help cover essential costs associated with rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming cats, including foster care and compassionate medical support.
Junior Achievement South Western Ontario
For more than 60 years, Junior Achievement South Western Ontario has been preparing young people for financial and career success through the delivery of free, hands-on, immersive workshops on work readiness, financial health, and entrepreneurship. Brant Community Foundation supported the delivery of three popular workshop series to 125 students in schools across Brantford and Brant County: More than Money (Grade 4); Dollars with Sense (Grade 7); and Career Hunt (Grades 7–12).
Kids Can Fly
The local chapter of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library delivers thousands of books, free of charge, to children in Brantford and Brant County with the goal of promoting early literacy, a love of reading, and a foundation for lifelong learning. Support from the Brant Community Foundation helps ensure the continuance of a program with a proven track record of positively impacting future academic success.
Little String Orchestra
Since 1978, the Little String Orchestra has been providing high-quality musical instruction in a positive, engaging, and fun environment for amateur string players of all ages and abilities. With support from the Brant Community Foundation, musicians are given the opportunity to rehearse, learn together, and share their talents through community concerts enriching both performers and audiences alike.
Nova Vita
In fulfilling its mandate of providing help, hope, and healing to individuals and families impacted by domestic violence, Nova Vita’s staff rely on support and assistance from volunteers. With support from the Brant Community Foundation, Nova Vita’s “Helping Hands, Helping Hearts” initiative will focus on recruiting, training, coordinating, engaging, and retaining volunteers, ensuring continued compassionate support for those who need it most.
Organized Kaos Life and Trade
Organized Kaos’ mission is to apprentice young people in life and trade, inspiring hope and purpose. Each week, more than 100 youth ages 13 to 17 gain experience in areas such as carpentry, welding, electrical, plumbing, and automotive, helping them to discover new possibilities and build a sense of purpose. Support from the Brant Community Foundation will fund a new Shop Coordinator position to strengthen safety, support operations, and help ensure youth have a positive learning environment.
Paris Port Dover Pipe Band
Over the past 26 years the Paris Port Dover Pipe Band has grown and developed in skill and reputation both locally and internationally. Its members range from beginner to advanced level pipers and drummers who are provided with a membership and Scottish music instruction free of charge, and who delight audiences at parades, events and ceremonies. Support from the Brant Community Foundation went towards practice and storage space costs, as well as refurbishment and replacement of essential equipment and uniforms, ensuring this valued community tradition continues to thrive.
PEGASUS Institute
Building on a program launched last year to assist Afghan newcomers to Brantford, this year’s expanded program involves collaboration between Grand River Community Health Centre, settlement agencies, and local organizations to identify needs and promote Afghan newcomers’ mental, social, and emotional well-being. Brant Community Foundation provided financial support for the ambitious initiative that emphasizes empowerment, community connection and cultural belonging.
Scientists in School
Keeping children interested and engaged in the disciplines of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) is critical for their own development as well as for the future job skills needs of communities across Canada and abroad. Scientists in School STEM workshops are designed to spark scientific curiosity and encourage a lifelong quest for knowledge. With support from Brant Community Foundation, 15 additional workshops will take place, providing STEM education and enrichment opportunities to more than 360 children and youth in our communities.
St. Andrew's United Church
Soup for the Soul
Operating out of St. Andrew’s United Church and led by a dedicated staff and volunteer team, the Soup for the Soul Program provides hot and nutritious meals to those in need five days a week, 52 weeks a year. Brant Community Foundation’s support helps sustain this vital resource, ensuring the program can continue responding to the growing need for food security in our community.
Victim Services of Brant
Brant Community Foundation’s financial support helps ensure Victim Services of Brant can continue providing vital, immediate assistance to individuals who have been profoundly impacted by crime, tragedy, or disaster. The non-profit agency’s mission is to help people navigate crises, offering compassionate, trauma-informed assistance to address their urgent needs and begin the healing process.
Vision into the Future Conference
Six hundred local high school students are projected to attend the Vision into the Future Conferece – a full-day event taking place in Brantford. It will feature sessions with expert presenters and the chance to learn about post-secondary and career opportunities in the various STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, mathematics) fields. Support from the Brant Community Foundation will go towards subsidizing admission fees, ensuring the conference is accessible to students.
Why Not City Missions
Why Not City Missions plays a significant role in helping address the critical issue of food security in Brantford, particularly for young people aged 13 to 25. Its Youth Centre is open 7 days a week where in addition to companionship, support and various services, at-risk youth can enjoy meals and snacks. With support from the Brant Community Foundation, Why Not City Missions will purchase food for nutritious meals and their food bank, helping ensure youth have access to the nourishment and support they need.
Stay Tuned for More Grants in Action!
Follow along on this page for more inspiring stories of Grants in Action – a special series dedicated to highlighting the incredible work and meaningful impact created by organizations supported through the Brant Community Foundation. Throughout the summer months, we will be sharing stories that showcase the programs, initiatives, and community projects made possible through Foundation funding. Be sure to follow our Social Media channels as well to discover the inspiring stories behind our 2026 Grants in Action recipients.