Guelph Community Foundation

06/01/2026

In Canada, June is recognized as National Indigenous History Month, a time to learn about and honour the rich and diverse histories of the First Nations, Innuit, and Métis. GCF is committed to the Philanthropic Community’s Declaration of Action made in solidarity with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) to empathetically learn from and support the Survivors of the Indian Residential School System and their descendants. As community leaders, philanthropic foundations can support to foster multi-generational healing and meaningful change.

Visit to learn more about this month's significance on the Government of Canada’s National Indigenous History Month webpage: https://www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1466616436543/1534874922512

05/30/2026

Sharing a new interesting local initiative we just heard about called Cheap Eats Guelph, a website which provides a free weekly calendar of all the restaurant specials in the city of (tracking the wing nights, happy hours, kids eat free and seniors specials etc.). The idea is that it can help local Guelphites plan their nights out for a little less, saving money while helping to support local businesses.
The website is free and updated daily:🔗 cheapeatsguelph.com

A free calendar of every wing night, rib night, burger deal and shawarma special in Guelph. Updated daily.

05/29/2026

Coming soon! 📣The Guelph Black Heritage Society (GBHS) is hosting their first annual Juneteenth Festival and Black Music Month celebration, taking place June 19–21, 2026 at Heritage Hall. 🙌

This three day festival features workshops, performances, community storytelling, a block party, and the premiere of The Quilt Awakens, GBHS's new augmented reality educational game. 🎮

All events are open to the community, with FREE admission for most activities. Registration is requested. 🔗 learn more: https://guelphblackheritage.ca/events/juneteenth-freedom-ceremony-june-19-2026/

05/28/2026

As May comes to a close we reflect on the incredible impact that planned giving has on our community. May is nationally recognized as Leave a Legacy Month, a time to consider the mark we want to leave and how our values can live on through thoughtful giving. 🕊️

Many people don’t realize that a legacy gift is simply a charitable gift included in your will. It allows you to support the causes that matter to you while still caring for your loved ones. In Canada, valuable tax incentives can also help maximize the value of your estate for your beneficiaries, making legacy giving an accessible and meaningful option for many.🏡

Legacy gifts answer an important question: how would I like to be remembered. 💙
They play a key role in sustaining charitable organizations for generations, and you don’t need to be wealthy to make a difference. Every planned gift, no matter the size, contributes to a stronger future. Legacy giving is a way to express your values, support the charities you love, and create a lasting impact that continues long after you’re gone. It only takes a few minutes to plan, but the legacy lasts a lifetime. 💞Learn more at guelphcf.ca/ways-to-give/

05/27/2026

Have you RSVP'd yet? Come join us tomorrow for a FREE chili dinner and timely conversation about homelessness in Guelph. Hear from local organizations about their responses to people experiencing in during Homelessness in Guelph: A Community in Action

We invite you to join us and our partner organizations at Harcourt Memorial United Church on May 28, 2026 at 6 PM for a FREE community dinner and presentation. This will be a great chance to connect, share ideas, learn, and take action together. Everyone’s welcome!

Event Details:
📅 Thursday, May 28 (TOMORROW)
⏰ 6–8 PM
📍 Harcourt United Church, 87 Dean Ave
🍲 Free chili dinner + presentation

🔗RSVP TODAY: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/homelessness-in-guelph-a-community-in-action-tickets-1989174478412

This event is in Partnership with:
Guelph Community Health Centre
Kindle Communities
Stonehenge Therapeutic Community
United Way Guelph Wellington Dufferin
The Guelph Community Foundation
and The Home for Good Campaign

05/26/2026

What a great meeting! The Guelph Community Foundation held its Annual General Meeting last week on Thursday May 21. A heartfelt thank you to the Guelph Museums for hosting us in your programing room, we’re grateful for the warm welcome and beautiful space. 🏛️

We extend our deepest appreciation to everyone who helped make not only the AGM but all the successes and growth of the last year possible: our dedicated volunteer Board of Directors, our investment advisors, our auditors, our staff, and all the volunteers and Foundation supporters who we work with throughout the year. Thank you for being part of this journey and for helping strengthen our community every step of the way. 💙💚

🙌2025 was an outstanding year for the Foundation, filled with meaningful impact, growth, and community-driven success. We can’t wait to share more with you! Keep an eye out for the announcement: Our 2025 Annual Impact Report will be published very soon! 👀

From left to right: Mike Baker from Leith Wheeler IC, New Board Member David Hong, Board Member Dhruv Shah, Serena Bruin, Executive Director Sarah Haanstra, Grants and Engagement Manager Christina Mongeon, Board Member Hilary McCann, Past Chair Carly O’Brien, Board Member Roger Garriock, Treasurer Hilary Coates, Tricia Stratton from Graham Mathew CPA, Board Member Celeste Bannon-Waterman, and Finance and Office Manager Richard Ndebele.

05/25/2026

Earlier this month, our Executive Director, Sarah Haanstra, joined community foundations from across Ontario at the Ontario Peer Gathering in . Over two days on May 13 and 14, fellow foundation leaders and teams came together for connection, learning, and shared problem solving. Shown in the photo, provided by CFC, the Gathering was an energizing mix of inspirational people and perspectives from across the province!

The sessions offered practical insights, collaboration tools, and plenty of opportunities to explore how we can work collectively. It was a fantastic gathering, and a great opportunity to meet people who are doing similar work all across this province. We’re grateful to everyone who came out and for Community Foundations of Canada for putting it all together. 🤝

05/21/2026

The Guelph Community Foundation and the Children's Foundation of Guelph and Wellington are pleased to announce a new partnership that will expand access to summer camp experiences for children and youth in Guelph and Wellington County whose families are facing financial barriers to participation. 🌞🤝

This collaboration builds on the success of a one-year pilot in 2025, when GCF’s Kids to Camp grants were distributed through the CFGW’s Free to Grow program to directly support kids attending camp.⛺

In it’s first year, this collaborative pilot demonstrated strong impact: as the GCF transferred funding to Free to Grow enabling 100 local children to attend summer camp! 🙌

🔗Read the full press release here: https://guelphcf.ca/kids-to-camp-free-to-grow-press-release/

Image used is a stock photograph. Help Send Kids to Camp logo is courtesy of CFGW.

05/19/2026

Join the conversation about in Guelph & enjoy a FREE chili dinner 💬

Hear from local organizations about their responses to people experiencing in during Homelessness in Guelph: A Community in Action

We invite you to join us and our partner organizations at Harcourt Memorial United Church on May 28, 2026 at 6 PM for a FREE community dinner and presentation where we’ll:

🔵Learn about homelessness in Guelph,
🟢Hear how local organizations are supporting people experiencing homelessness, and,
🔵Get inspired about the ways we can make a difference.

This will be a great chance to connect, share ideas, learn, and take action together. Everyone’s welcome!

Event Details:
📅 Thursday, May 28
⏰ 6–8 PM
📍 Harcourt United Church, 87 Dean Ave
🍲 Free chili dinner + presentation

🔗RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/homelessness-in-guelph-a-community-in-action-tickets-1989174478412

This event is in Partnership with:
Guelph Community Health Centre
Kindle Communities
Stonehenge Therapeutic Community
United Way Guelph Wellington Dufferin
The Guelph Community Foundation
and The Home for Good Campaign

05/18/2026

Happy May Two-Four Everyone! 🎆🌷Please note our office are closed for , but we look forward to working with you when we return on Tuesday!