Grants equal bike rides for seniors, resilient youth, help for refugees

Burlington Community Foundation (BCF) held its grantee celebration this morning at Burlington Public Library’s central branch.

More than 75 people learned about the work BCF does to secure grant funding for organizations in the city. Today, 17 community service organizations attended, with several giving a brief overview of what their impacts are in the community.

In total, $126,000 in grant funding was secured by BCF and today’s funds were round one of the organization’s grants. In fact, in 25 years, they’ve granted more than $6.4 million; each year they invite organizations to apply to the BCF call for grants.

The funding includes a specific unrestricted grant of $25,000 from the Pat and Anita Paletta Family Fund. Angelo Paletta directed this grant in honour of the Foundation’s 25th anniversary happening this fall, with the intention to have the greatest impact on as many organizations as possible through the call for grants. 

An impressive number of people are helped by the funds – all of which support the wellbeing of residents.

BCF president and chief executive officer Megan Tregunno said the organization understands the pressing needs in Burlington, and BCF can match funding from endowment funds to where it is needed most.

“We work across sectors to inspire generosity through giving; we identify vital community needs by working with hundreds of local charities; and we grow and steward funding in perpetuity to ensure we can make grants forever,” she said. “ We too are a registered charity – a public foundation designed to evolve with the changing needs of Burlington.”

We have been leading in the Burlington community for 25 years. We were born by the vision and generosity of Burlington residents who understood the impact of community foundations and put forward their own resources to help establish our public foundation so that all residents could benefit from the support of a community foundation.

“A common theme that you will see across all of this year’s recipients is the role they are each playing in contributing to the well-being of our community,” Tregunno said, adding that “when people feel like they belong in communities, in neighbourhoods, they feel accepted, safe and connected.

“Belonging is in the connections people have with friends and family and in the neighbourhoods where people rely on each other. They are willing to ask a favour of their neighbours and develop reciprocal relationships of trust. But not everyone knows what it feels like to belong.”

BCF is one of 200 community foundations, coast to coast. 

Grantees of $126,000

In partnership with its fundholders and donors, the following community organizations will use the funds to help advance the well-being of the community:

• Dare To Be Youth Charity: Will develop the online curriculum for the Emotional Resilience & Wellness Program for young people.
• Refugee Women's Network: Will support the growth of the Women Helping Women program - a supportive community for Afghan women settling in Burlington. 
• The Women's Centre of Halton: Will support a new initiative aimed at helping young women in Burlington build emotional resilience and understand how to create healthy relationships, unique to the needs of women ages 14-18. 
• Halton Black History Awareness Society: Will support the Halton Freedom Celebration Festival in 2024.
• Myriad Ensemble: Will support the establishment of the Myriad Artistic Fellowship and Education Program. 
• Royal Botanical Gardens: Will support the expansion of the Green Angels Subsidy Program, to include adults and seniors. 
• Halton Down Syndrome Association: Will support connection within the local Down Syndrome community. 
• The Burlington Symphony Orchestra: Will provide free access to high quality symphonic concert experiences to Burlington residents who face financial barriers to attendance.
• Halton Learning Foundation: Will support the Eliminating Barriers program - a program that addresses poverty faced by students and their families in Burlington. 
• The Salvation Army Burlington Community and Family Services: Will support the International Cooking Program - a program designed to teach culturally appropriate cooking skills to clients. 
• Wellington Square United Church: Supporting the Community Food Program and the expansion of more Comfort Kits. 
• Halton Food for Thought: Will support the addition of two more breakfast programs in two Burlington schools. 
• Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra: Will support the expansion of the Music for Wellbeing Program in partnership with the Burlington Public Library. 
• Acclaim Health: Will support the “Promoting Mental Wellness for People Living with Dementia through Art” initiative at the Burlington Adult Day Program. 
• Calvary Burlington: Will support the installation of a main floor, mobility-friendly coffee preparation area as part of the Seniors’ Lunch program. 
• Sending Sunshine: Will support the social connection and well-being of Burlington senior residents through the art of written cards and pen pal connections with youth volunteers.
• Hamilton/Burlington Cycling Without Age (CWA) Chapter; New Hope Community Bikes: Will enable 450 accessible bike rides for seniors in Burlington, promoting connection, well-being and activity. 

BCF grants more than $1 million in funding every year into the Burlington community, thanks to the vision and generosity of its fundholders and donors.