Whitby is inviting local community and non-profit organizations that help make the Town a vibrant and caring community to apply for Community Development Grants.

The application deadline for the Town's 2021 Mayor’s Golf Tournament grant (up to $25,000) is March 31, 2021. Additional community grants are available through the Mayor's Community Development Fund (MCDF) Grant Recipients and Performing Arts Community Development Fund (PACDF). Applications for grants of up to $5,000 can be applied for throughout the year and are awarded monthly.

Applications are reviewed by a council-appointed citizens committee. High-priority is given to community-focused applicants that have a strong local presence, respond to community needs and promote inclusion and civic engagement.

Over the past five years, the Town has given over $850,000 to local non-profit organizations. Last year, the Town provided over $200,000 to 52 community organizations - almost 50 per cent of this funding was given to organizations responding to community needs as a result of COVID-19.

Some of the recipients included:

• $2,500 to Big Brother's Big Sisters of South-West Durham – to support a virtual mentoring program to engage vulnerable children and youth;
• $5,000 to Feed the Need –  to purchase food for those in need; 
• $5,000 to Luke's Place – for enhanced online and phone services to support women and their children fleeing domestic violence; and,
• $5,000 to Salvation Army – to purchase food for those in need.

View the 2020 Community Development Funds Annual Report.

For more information or to apply, visit whitby.ca/communityfunds.

Quotes

"Whitby not-for-profits make a positive difference in the lives of our residents and their work is more important than ever as we are seeing a greater need in our community right now. We are proud to support these worthwhile causes."

- Mayor Don Mitchell

"Thanks to the support from the Mayor’s Community Development Fund, Carea Community Health Centre was able to distribute food and personal care items to over 890 at-risk individuals, seniors and families that reside in the White Oaks Complex. The Fund is a wonderful example of a successful collaboration between the Town of Whitby and the social services sector. We are grateful for this support as we further our vision of building healthier communities together."

- Francis Garwe, CEO, Carea Community Health Centre

"Thanks to the generous funding from the Mayor’s Community Development Fund, the Alzheimer Society of Durham Region has been able to provide Whitby care partners of persons living with dementia access to activity kits. The kits help care partners create fun and meaningful interactions with their loved one living with dementia. Kits include items such as printed games, small exercise equipment, and dementia resources for care partners. We are grateful to the Fund for helping us support those living with dementia to reduce their feelings of social isolation experienced by the COVID-19 pandemic."

- Denyse Newton, CEO, Alzheimer Society of Durham Region