Trillium grants $49,200 to help support County charities

A new Prince Edward County organization formed to support County charities received a $49,200 operating grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation.
Prince Edward Hastings MPP Todd Smith joined Ontario Trillium representative Wanda Slawinski, Prince Edward County mayor Peter Mertens, members of council and Community Foundation donors, board members and grant recipients to celebrate.
“The County Community Foundation is a vehicle to encourage donations and to build lasting legacies which will benefit County organizations and volunteers who make such a difference in the lives of the people here,” said Joan Pennefather, President of the CCF Board. “We are off to a good start and the Trillium Foundation grant, along with the support of the municipality, is essential as we continue to offer the best services that a Community Foundation can provide.”
The County Community Foundation supports donors in realizing their philanthropic goals, manages investments which will have lasting impact, and supports community projects. Since opening its doors in June of 2011, the Foundation has helped members of the County community to establish funds to support causes such as student bursaries, heritage preservation and the arts. The Community Fund granted $18,000 to nine County charities in 2011, and the goal is to give even more in 2012.
“Having the support of the Ontario Trillium Foundation, the municipality and the community at this stage in our development is crucial to maintaining our momentum in offering our services to the County community,” said CCF executive director Bridget Stevenson. “It also really demonstrates the importance of the Foundation and the potential we have to create change in the community.”
The Trillium Foundation, an agency of the provincial government, hands out $120 million annually to organizations across Ontario.