United Way of Bruce Grey logo
The United Way of Bruce Grey was able to give out $200,000 in grants this year.
The organization says that they focused their efforts on helping community groups in the fields of poverty alleviation, children’s groups, and community safety.
United Way Executive Director Francesca Dobbyn says that they try and help the community on two fronts: immediate need, and policy work.
With an increased demand on food banks, and more people and families struggling to make ends meet, she says that policies need to improve.
“There are a lot of things happening now in terms of preventatives,” says Dobbyn. “We need people on Ontario Works, or those who have a disability, to simply have more income to pay the bills. They just don’t have enough money. You can’t budget yourself out of poverty.”
She says that there has been an increase in community organizations asking the United Way for help – although they’re giving out $200,000 this year, that doesn’t meet the total demand of $350,000 in requests that the United Way received.
A volunteer committee reviews applications from local groups, and considers where the United Way’s funding goes.
They look at the needs of the communities and do what they can to give out all of the grants that the United Way can manage.
“It’s just a total joy to be able to come back to these organizations and say, ‘You know what? We’ve got your back, we’re going to keep this program going. What you’re doing is having an impact as well, and we totally support what you’re doing.'”
Although they weren’t able to give money toward every single request, they do what they can to assist the organizations that they have had to turn away, usually by pointing them toward other grant opportunities.
For the collection of charities and community groups they were able to help, Dobbyn says that it’s rewarding to help out.
The United Way’s funding is entirely from community donations.
The United Way was able to provide $200,000 in grants for the 2024 year to the following programs, projects, and agencies:
– Bruce Grey Child and Family Services: $35,000
– Ontario Student Nutrition Program – VON Canada: $15,500
– Friends and Neighbours (FAN) Club – CMHA Grey Bruce: $8,000
– Let’s Talk Program – CMHA Grey Bruce: $8,000
– Big Brothers Big Sisters of Grey Bruce: $5,000
– South Grey Bruce Youth Literacy Council: $4,000
– Saugeen Valley Children’s Safety Village: $4,000
– Owen Sound & North Grey Union Public Library: $1,500
– The Meeting Place Tobermory: $1,000
– Women’s House Serving Bruce and Grey: $5,000
– YMCA of Owen Sound Grey Bruce: $5,000
– Grey Bruce Good Food Box (Lion’s Head site): $4,000
– The Meeting Place Tobermory: $3,000
– ID Clinic – CMHA Grey Bruce: $2,500
– Kincardine Community Services Association: $2,500
– Lion’s Head and District Foodbank: $2,500
– The Men’s Program – CMHA Grey Bruce: $15,000
– The Salvation Army Wiarton: $7,000
– P.R.A.N.C.E.: $4,000
– Hope Haven Therapeutic Riding Centre: $4,000
– Ed Taylor Community Garden through Elephant Thoughts Educational Outreach: $3,000
– Meaford Community Garden through Elephant Thoughts Educational Outreach: $3,000
– The Garden Program – CMHA Grey Bruce: $3,000
– REACH Centre Grey Bruce: $3,000
– St. John Ambulance Grey Bruce Huron: $3,000
– Safe N’ Sound Residence: $3,000
– Community Connection 211: $45,000
Anyone who would like to donate to the United Way Bruce Grey’s fundraising efforts can visit the Ways to Give page on their website.