Social Sustainability Fund surpasses $100,000 in community investment with $67,500 awarded in 2026

The Kawartha Community Foundation has announced that $67,500 has been awarded to 14 community projects through the 2026 Social Sustainability Fund. With this year’s funding, the fund has now invested more than $100,000 in local programs addressing critical social needs across Kawartha Lakes.

Seeded by Kawartha Lakes and administered by Kawartha Community Foundation, the Social Sustainability Fund supports initiatives focused on poverty and housing, food security, mental health and belonging, and equity, inclusion and diversity.

Since its launch, the fund has supported 23 community projects—from emergency food and housing supports to youth mental health, mentorship, newcomer inclusion and community connection. This growing investment reflects a shared commitment to building a Kawartha Lakes where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

“The Social Sustainability Fund is demonstrating what can be accomplished when local government, community organizations and residents work together,” said Carissa Ferguson, operations and engagement manager at Kawartha Community Foundation, in a press 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 following projects received funding through the 2026 Social Sustainability Fund:

• Humane Society of Kawartha Lakes — $10,000: Safe Together Kawartha, a pilot program providing temporary emergency care for pets when individuals and families are experiencing crisis or housing instability.
• John Howard Society of the Kawarthas — $10,000: Rural Youth Connections Initiative, bringing mental health, mentoring, recreation and life-skills programming directly to youth in underserved rural communities.
• The Grove Theatre — $8,852.19: Arts Connection – After School Program, an inclusive theatre program helping children and youth build confidence, creativity, social skills and belonging.
• Kawartha Lakes Food Source — $8,000: Feeding Our Communities Through Improved Access to Information, creating an accessible online resource with current information about local food banks and available food supports.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kawartha Lakes — $7,000: Girls Supporting Girls, connecting high school students with girls in Grades 4–6 for mentorship focused on confidence, resilience, leadership and healthy relationships.
• United Way for the City of Kawartha Lakes — $6,213.87: Food Security Farm Outdoor Classroom Upgrade, creating a covered outdoor classroom and workspace to support food education, community programming, volunteers and farm operations.
• Fenelon Falls Salvation Army — $4,600: Hub and Grub, a weekly community meal program providing free, nutritious meals while addressing food insecurity and social isolation.
• BGC Kawarthas — $2,500: Youth Voices Initiative, strengthening youth wellness through research, engagement, programming and improved connections to community supports.
• Kawartha-Haliburton Children’s Foundation — $2,500: Child Development Program, helping children and youth facing financial barriers participate in extracurricular activities that promote confidence, connection and well-being.
• Pinnguaq Foundation — $2,500: STEAM Discovery Days, offering children and youth free, hands-on activities in robotics, coding, engineering, digital art and science.
• Friends of Ecological and Environmental Learning — $2,500: Kawartha Lakes Children’s Water Festival, providing hands-on water stewardship and environmental education for children, youth and families.
• New Canadians Centre — $1,500: 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 — $833.94: 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 — $500: Play, Engage, Belong, supporting the installation of new play equipment and building upon more than $50,000 already raised by the community.

Together, these investments demonstrate the strength of local organizations and their ability to develop practical, community-informed responses to emerging needs.

Kawartha Community Foundation thanks the City of Kawartha Lakes, the volunteer review committee and every organization that contributed its time, knowledge and ideas to the 2026 funding process.

To learn more about the Social Sustainability Fund or help grow its impact, visit www.kawarthafoundation.ca/funds/social-sustainability-fund.