Over 85 charities and not for profits picked up cheques during a Community Foundation Grey Bruce Celebration at Victoria Jubilee Hall in Walkerton.
Nearly $348,000 was distributed to groups from across the region last evening.
Some of the projects to receive support include the upcoming Ripley Food Art Craft Festival, youth literacy programs at Dundalk Public Library, and trail updates on the northern Bruce Peninsula.
The Canadian Mental Health Foundation received funding to create an edible urban garden to nurture wellness.
And the national and provincial fastpitch tournaments planned in Owen Sound this year were also funded.
Foundation Board Chair Kim West says the range of community activities in arts, culture, sports, education, environment and wellness reflect what makes Grey Bruce a vibrant place.
Recipients were grateful to all of the organizations, individuals and families who have left legacy gifts and endowing funds to the foundation.
The foundation is now accepting letters of intent for capital projects until July 1 for organizations that would like to qualify for up to $35,000 in funding for renovations or equipment.
"What an exciting year 2016 has been already for CFGB. We welcomed the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, to a luncheon in Owen Sound and launched the 'payforschool' website that supports his Smart and Caring Education initiative," says Kim West, chairperson of the CFGB Board. "We are very excited with the hire of our new Executive Director Stuart Reid who needs no introduction to the region; and we are busy getting ready to host our next guest speaker Adrienne Clarkson in October. Watch for details to follow. All of these activities allow us to give back to our community as we are doing this evening, to make it a better place to live."
Created in 1994, Community Foundation Grey Bruce has a mandate to strengthen Grey and Bruce communities through endowment building, grant making, and community partnerships.
The next general grants deadline for projects and programs is September 30, 2016.
For more information about the Community Foundation Grey Bruce and to find out how you can support its work, visit www.communityfoundationgreybruce.com or call 519-371-7203.
