From emergency care for pets whose owners are facing a crisis to mental health programming for rural youth, 14 community projects in Kawartha Lakes are receiving support through the second year of the Social Sustainability Fund.
Kawartha Community Foundation, formerly known as the Community Foundation of Kawartha Lakes, announced on Thursday (September 10) that it has awarded $67,500 through the fund in 2026.
Combined with the $56,000 awarded to nine local initiatives in its inaugural year, the latest grants bring the fund’s investment to $123,500 across 23 community projects.
Seeded by the City of Kawartha Lakes and administered by the foundation, the Social Sustainability Fund supports initiatives focused on poverty and housing, food security, mental health and belonging, and equity, inclusion, and diversity.
“The Social Sustainability Fund is demonstrating what can be accomplished when local government, community organizations, and residents work together,” says Carissa Ferguson, the foundation’s operations and engagement manager, in a media release.
“Surpassing $100,000 in community investment is an important milestone, but the true impact can be seen in the people gaining access to food, supportive relationships, inclusive programs, and opportunities to feel connected to their community.”
The two largest grants this year, each worth $10,000, will support the Humane Society of Kawartha Lakes and the John Howard Society of the Kawarthas.
The Humane Society’s Safe Together Kawartha pilot program will provide temporary emergency care for pets when individuals and families are experiencing a crisis or housing instability. The John Howard Society’s Rural Youth Connections Initiative will bring mental health, mentoring, recreation, and life-skills programming directly to youth in underserved rural communities.
The Grove Theatre in Fenelon Falls is receiving $8,852.19 for its Arts Connection After School Program, an inclusive theatre program designed to help children and youth build confidence, creativity, social skills, and a sense of belonging.
Several grants will support access to food and opportunities to learn and connect over meals.
Kawartha Lakes Food Source is receiving $8,000 for Feeding Our Communities Through Improved Access to Information, which will create an accessible online resource with current information about local food banks and available food supports.
United Way for the City of Kawartha Lakes is receiving $6,213.87 for its Food Security Farm Outdoor Classroom Upgrade. The project will create a covered outdoor classroom and workspace to support food education, community programming, volunteers, and farm operations.
A $4,600 grant to Fenelon Falls Salvation Army will support Hub and Grub, a weekly program providing free, nutritious community meals while addressing food insecurity and social isolation.
Mentorship and opportunities for children and youth also feature among this year’s funded projects.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kawartha Lakes is receiving $7,000 for Girls Supporting Girls, connecting high school students with girls in Grades 4 to 6 for mentorship focused on confidence, resilience, leadership, and healthy relationships.
BGC Kawarthas is receiving $2,500 for its Youth Voices Initiative, which aims to strengthen youth wellness through research, engagement, programming, and improved connections to community supports.
Another $2,500 will support the Kawartha-Haliburton Children’s Foundation’s Child Development Program, helping children and youth facing financial barriers participate in extracurricular activities that promote confidence, connection, and well-being.
Pinnguaq Foundation in Lindsay is receiving $2,500 for STEAM Discovery Days, offering free hands-on activities in robotics, coding, engineering, digital art, and science.
Haliburton-based Friends of Ecological and Environmental Learning is also receiving $2,500 for the Kawartha Lakes Children’s Water Festival, which provides hands-on water stewardship and environmental education for children, youth, and families.
Peterborough-based New Canadians Centre is receiving a $1,500 grant for Building Capacity to Support Newcomers to Canada in Kawartha Lakes, providing training to help local organizations deliver informed, safe, and inclusive services to newcomers and their families.
The Dragon Flies Breast Cancer Survivor Group in Lindsay is receiving $833.94 for Health and Wellness for Survivors of Breast Cancer, supporting accessible activities that promote physical well-being, social connection, and community participation.
Scott Young Public School in Omemee is receiving $500 for Play, Engage, Belong, supporting the installation of new play equipment and building on more than $50,000 already raised by the community.
When the fund launched in 2025 with seed funding from the City of Kawartha Lakes’ human services department, it attracted 18 applications requesting more than $160,000.
The nine funded initiatives included a weekend food program for people living in Lindsay encampments and mobile workshops for isolated older adults addressing fall prevention, nutrition, and mental health.
In announcing this year’s recipients, the foundation thanked the city, the volunteer review committee, and the organizations that contributed to the funding process.
For more information about the Social Sustainability Fund or to contribute, visit kawarthafoundation.ca/funds/social-sustainability-fund.
