Foundation offering grants to strengthen connections

A local foundation is now accepting applications for community grants intended to strengthen community connections.

The Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough (CFGP) is offering grants of up to $5,000 to local charities through its 2018 Vital Community Grants program.

CFGP is a public foundation that works with community builders to help address some of the area’s greatest needs.

The grants are open to registered charities operating within the city, county, Curve Lake First Nation and Hiawatha First Nation.

To qualify, non-profits must be working to strengthen community connections. That could include initiatives that bring neigha bours together, foster intergenerational connections, work toward reconciliation, nurture arts and culture, or serve people at risk of social isolation.

The grants were created based on community feedback received through the Vital Conversations initiative, which happened last fall.

More than 700 citizens from across the city and county took part in the initiative, generating list of 10 local action priorities. Strengthening community connectedness was highlighted as the top priority for the area.

The Vital Signs reports help CFGP understand local needs and opportunities and lets the organization know where things stand, John Good, CFGP’s executive director stated in a release.

“Through Vital Conversations, we heard, overwhelmingly, that there is a real need and desire to nurture the face-to-face connections that are the foundation of our community,” Good wrote.

The organization is asking charities what they would go with $5,000 to strengthen community.

“We’re very excited to invest our community grants in the invaluable work of building a more connected, vital community.”

Applications can be made online through CFGP’s website at www.cfgp.ca

The deadline to apply is Oct. 4 at 5 p.m.