Brant Community Foundation

June is National Indigenous History Month, a time to recognize and celebrate the rich cultures, histories, traditions, and contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples. Throughout the month, Indigenous-led events and learning opportunities are taking place across our community. Explore ways to learn, connect, and participate by visiting: https://bit.ly/4v2NBh7

Reminder - Brant Community Foundation is hiring an Office Administrative Assistant to join our team for the summer through the Canada Summer Jobs Program. The position will assist the BCF team in social media management, outreach to charitable organizations, research into best practices in marketing and communications, and other projects as needed. If you or someone you know qualifies for the Canada Summer Jobs Program, we invite you to apply with your resume and cover letter by 5:00PM on May 29, 2026. Visit brantcf.ca/employment-opportunities for more info.

We’re delighted to see the impact of Brant Community Foundation's recent Celebrating Community Changemakers event reflected in the community conversation. Thank you to everyone who joined us in celebrating the people, organizations, and partnerships helping strengthen our community every day.

We’re grateful for the media coverage and the opportunity to continue sharing the stories of local changemakers making a difference. Check out recent media coverage on the Celebrating Community Changemakers event here: https://rebrand.ly/qvf6nqy

Photos by Photohouse Studio

The Brant Community Foundation Office will be closed Monday, May 18 for Victoria Day, reopening on Tuesday May 19. From all of us at the Brant Community Foundation, we wish you a safe and enjoyable long weekend!

Brant Community Foundation is hiring an Office Administrative Assistant to join our team for the summer through the Canada Summer Jobs Program. The position will assist the BCF team in social media management, outreach to charitable organizations, research into best practices in marketing and communications, and other projects as needed. If you or someone you know qualifies for the Canada Summer Jobs Program, we invite you to apply with your resume and cover letter by 5:00PM on May 29, 2026. Visit brantcf.ca/employment-opportunities for more info.

Thank you so much for attending!

On Tuesday, May 5, Lucy Marco, GRCOA Executive Director, attended “Celebrating Community Changemakers,” a reception hosted by the Brantford Community Foundation.
The afternoon offered a meaningful chance to recognize the outstanding organizations and individuals helping to strengthen our community.

This investment helps the GRCOA continue supporting older adults throughout the community.

This funding expands our ability to deliver programs, resources, and initiatives that support healthy aging, social connection, and age-friendly communities. With this support, GRCOA will continue advocating for older adults and offering opportunities that help people stay active, engaged, and supported as they age.

Thank you Brantford Food Bank for attending and speaking at our Community Changemakers Event!

Last Tuesday, we had the pleasure of attending "Celebrating Community Changemakers", a reception hosted by Brant Community Foundation. It was a meaningful afternoon spent recognizing the incredible organizations and individuals working to make our community stronger.

At Community Resource Service, we are deeply grateful for the support we've received from Brant Community Foundation. With their funding, we have been able to invest in tools like Better Impact, a software to support our volunteers, provide essential family necessities such as menstrual provides and baby formula, and meet growing community needs during some of the most challenging times.

Their generosity extends far beyond our organization, supporting many non-profits and charities in our community. Thank you Brant Community Foundation, for believing in organizations like ours and for helping make our community a better place for everyone.

Thank you Autism Dog Services!

Brant Community Foundation celebrated the impact of this year’s donors and grant recipients during a reception in Cainsville on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.

Brant Community Foundation (BCF) is a registered charitable public foundation that provides grants to support various community initiatives across the City of Brantford, the County of Brant, Six Nations of the Grand River and Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation Funds are raised through donations and the foundation manages close to $30 million in endowed assets. The foundation has also awarded more than $10 million in grants to vital programs and services since 2001.
Present at Tuesday’s reception were fundholders, donors, local charities, volunteers and community champions. “I want to be clear about who the changemakers in the room actually are,” said Paula Thomlinson, BCF board member and grants committee chair. “They are all of you!

During the event, it was announced that the foundation awarded $1.5 million in financial support over the past year through 186 grants to 99 local charities.
“The impact of grants of this magnitude is extraordinary,” said Jayne Carman, Chair of the foundation’s board of directors. “Combined with the $10 million in grants we’ve awarded since our founding, the foundation’s influence is truly profound.”
Carman then introduced one of the BCFs funholder, Donald Wilkin. He and his wife Jo-Anne Wilkin, has created three funds of the last 15 years, ultimately supporting a wide range of causes that are meaningful to them.

Donald said he had been interested in philanthropy since he was young and that he always tries to ensure that Jo-Anne and their two sons are involved in the decision making process when it comes to making donations. “There isn’t one donation we make that we don’t call our boys up and get their opinion,” he said. “That’s the secret to life, involve everybody.

BCF Executive Director Anna Marie Peirce later reiterated the foundation’s ongoing commitment to show up where needed. “From shelter and food security to arts, culture, heritage, mental health, recreation, reconciliation and the climate changes ahead–wherever this community hurts, and wherever it dreams, we will be there,” she said. Peirce also gave her thanks to everyone in the room who has helped make the community a better place.

“To our donors, thank you for believing that generosity is not a moment but a movement. To our charity partners, thank you for being the hands and the heart of this work. We see you. We are in awe of you,” she said. “The future impact of the Brant Community Foundation will not be written by staff or by a board or by any one leader. It will be written by every change maker in this room and by the ones you will inspire to follow.”

On May 5th, Brant Community Foundation proudly hosted our Celebrating Community Changemakers event – an afternoon dedicated to recognizing the incredible impact of our fundholders, charities, leaders, and volunteers.

Guests heard inspiring remarks from fundholders, charitable organizations, and members of the BCF leadership team. The reception concluded with a special cheque presentation of $1.5 million from the Brant Community Foundation to “Our Community,” made possible through the generosity of our valued donors and fundholders. Every attendee in the room – every changemaker – was invited to join in a group photo, capturing a meaningful moment of connection and shared commitment to strengthening our community.

The Brant Community Foundation extends a sincere thank you to everyone who attended the Celebrating Community Changemakers Reception. We truly appreciate everything you do to create positive change in our community!

Photos by: Photohouse Studio

Thank you Child and Family Services of Grand Erie Foundation for all you do for local youth!

💛 THANK YOU, Brant Community Foundation 💛

The CFSGE Foundation is incredibly grateful to the Brant Community Foundation / and the Ontario Endowment Fund for Children and Youth in Recreation for their support of our Youth to Camp initiative.

Their investment in local youth helps create opportunities for young people involved with Child and Family Services of Grand Erie to access enriching summer experiences that encourage growth, connection, confidence, and belonging.

We are deeply thankful for community partners who believe in the potential of local children and youth and continue to invest in brighter futures across our region. 💛