| During this week’s virtual Town Council meeting, Mayor Paul Kelly introduced this year’s successful recipients of Terence Haight Community Funding. This was an opportunity to formally recognize each community group for their valuable contributions and learn more about how they intend to use the awarded grant funding for the betterment of the community.
On Wednesday, March 16th, recipients joined Mayor Paul Kelly, Deputy Mayor Heidi Lorenz, and District Councillor John Gordon for in-person presentations and photos. This funding announcement will inject $25,000 into local community groups whose efforts aim to benefit the people of Gravenhurst.
The following 10 groups received funding for their proposed requests:
| Recipient |
Approved 2021 Grant |
Purpose of Request |
| Big Brothers Big Sisters of Muskoka |
$2,500 |
Host an Open House in Gravenhurst to build deeper connections with, and increase awareness of services available to, the community |
| Gravenhurst Elderberries Choir |
$2,800 |
Help the choir focus on rebuilding resources. |
| Gravenhurst BiFocals Band |
$1,550 |
Develop and implement an outreach program to engage the community. Purchase sheet music: supply band owned equipment as required; and provide transportation strategies to facilitate a more inclusive audience. |
| Gravenhurst Women’s Centre |
$2,000 |
Program to provide personal care supplies to women in the community |
| MiND-AID |
$2,100 |
Provide Suicide Awareness training |
| Gravenhurst Ladies Auxiliary (Legion) |
$3,300 |
Replace badly worn flooring in the kitchen thereby allowing the full and safe use of the kitchen for on-going fund-raising efforts and community events such as the Remembrance Day service. |
| Timber Beast Productions |
$4,000 |
First large-scale production of Citronella – a hilarious, disco inspired, Gravenhurst-flavoured, pantomime – at the Gravenhurst Wharf. Intended to challenge and inspire seasonal and permanent residents. |
| Safe Quiet Lakes |
$750 |
Support Outreach and Education programming; expand Wakes and Speed project, support Lake Associations and distribute materials to local rental agencies and marinas. |
| Muskoka Ringette Association |
$4,000 |
Attract and engage the youngest age groups in ringette by hosting reduced cost weekly practices followed by 4 exhibition games at the end of the season against other associations in the area. |
| YWCA Muskoka |
$2,000 |
Run the Boys Quest program at the KP Manson School for boys. The program focuses on building confidence, identifying healthy relationships, discovering positive coping skills, setting goals, and exploring individual talents. |
In addition to this annual grant process, in 2020, the COVID-19 Financial Assistance Fund was established with an amount of $25,000 from the Terence Haight Endowment. The fund, in response to the pandemic, was to be made available on a one-time basis to assist established community agencies and service clubs who offer, among other things, financial, mental health and food security assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A Review Panel composed of three Council members was set up to recommend grant awards under that program. To date, a total of $18,500 has been disbursed to the Rotary Club of Gravenhurst, the Moon River Metis Council, Gravenhurst Against Poverty, and the United Way Simcoe Muskoka Urgent Needs Fund. Currently, a balance of $6,500 remains to meet COVID-19 related community needs through this additional Fund.
The Terence Haight Financial Assistance Committee will begin planning for next year’s application process, with marketing activities beginning in the fall for a December 5, 2022, submission deadline for 2023 funding applications. Community groups are encouraged to follow updates on the Town’s website.
Town Council established the Terence Haight Financial program in 2013, following the significant financial bequest by Mr. Haight of $1 million to the Town. The fund’s goal is to provide limited financial assistance to groups and organizations within the municipality to assist with activities, special events or with an improvement to the organization’s existing assets. To learn more about the grant please visit: www.gravenhurst.ca/communityfunding |
