Municipal Community Grants support 27 local organizations; 12 arts fund recipients

Some 27 organizations were selected to receive funding valued at more than $150,000 in the County of Prince Edward’s 2026 Municipal Community Grants Program and another 12 arts-mandated organizations shared more than $65,000 through a PEC Arts Fund in partnership with the foundation.

“Prince Edward County is blessed to have so many community-minded organizations and the hundreds of staff and volunteers who work incredibly hard to enrich our community through a variety of activities and initiatives,” said Mayor Steve Ferguson. “Investing in these organizations through the Municipal Community Grants Program has an impact on the lives of many throughout Prince Edward County.”

This year, 27 local organizations will receive support through a combination of cash and in-kind grants. The funding will bolster a diverse range of initiatives focused on culture, heritage, recreation, environment, and health and human services.

The grants program is funded by the municipality and is administered by The County Foundation. Priority is given to projects that align with the strategies of the municipality and the foundation such as council’s strategic plan and the 10-year community plan, Vital Signs, Community Safety and Well-being Plan, and the Thrive PEC Community Economies Pilot Project.

“These grants reflect the incredible dedication of local organizations working to meet community needs,” said Dominique Jones, Executive Director of The County Foundation. “They are a meaningful investment in the wellbeing of our community — supporting programs that foster connection, inclusion, and quality of life for residents. By funding both new and ongoing initiatives, the municipality is making a smart, lasting investment in a more vibrant, resilient Prince Edward County.”

2026 grant recipients (cash stream)

Ameliasburgh Garden Club
$1,042 to support workshops and community garden programming.

County Kids Read
$5,000 for operational support to deliver literacy initiatives including Book Buddies, Early Literacy Action Team, and free book distribution programs.

Food to Share
$15,000 to help prepare and distribute healthy meals for more than 200 residents through volunteer efforts and community partnerships.

Greater Than Youth Collective
$10,423 for staffing support for youth-focused initiatives including addressing mental health, food security, and substance use awareness.

Grow With Me
$3,126 to provide nature-based programming for participants of all ages.

HPE Learning Foundation
$15,000 to support food programs for students through Food for Learning, Student Emergency Fund, and Sharing Cupboards.

PEC Skating Club
$4,500 to enhance Learn to Skate programming and administrative capacity.

PEC Sports Hall of Fame
$1,177 to support the induction ceremony and installation of new panels.

Prince Edward Learning Centre
$10,423 to deliver Getting Ahead poverty reduction programming and community plan implementation for Macaulay Village.

Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory
$3,648 to support conservation initiatives, youth engagement, and the Spring Birding Festival.

Reaching for Rainbows
$15,000 to expand playroom programming through additional staffing.

South Shore Joint Initiative
$7,850 to deliver “Wild Thing,” a biodiversity and environmental education program.

St. Vincent De Paul Committee
$4,000 to provide food vouchers and essential household supports.

Terror at Macaulay
$2,196 to support seasonal community events including Scarecrow Festival.

The Children’s Foundation
$10,000 to remove financial barriers to participation in recreation, arts, and camps for Prince Edward County families through Playing for Keeps and Camps of Hope.

Wellington Community Association
$3,126 to install Remembrance Day memorial banners.

Wellington Community Gardens
$1,000 for garden bed improvements and composting activities.

West Lake Community Association
$1,042 to host environmental symposium and educational presentations.

Multi-year cash grant recipients:

Alternatives for Women
$4,500 to enhance safety and well-being program for staff and clients involved in housing, counselling and education related to domestic violence.

Community Development Council of Quinte
$7,500 to support Good Baby Box program, which helps families access nutritious foods.

PEC Lions Club
$4,500 to support Free Music in the Park programming in Wellington.

Picton United Church Food Bank
$15,000 for operational support for costs related to offering a food bank / emergency food program at the Picton United Church.

Volunteer Information Hastings Prince Edward County
$4,000 to support volunteer recruitment and referral program.

In-kind grant recipients:

Department of Illumination
$2,000 for Crystal Palace rental for the Firelight Festival.

Grow with Me
$1,695 for Sophiasburgh Town Hall rental for nature camps.

Hospice Prince Edward
$1,582 for facility rentals for Lehigh Arena and Macaulay House for fundraising events.

Jasper Park Volunteer Group
$1,305 of municipal support for community-stewarded gardens in public park.

PEC Skating Club
$2,000 for ice rentals for Learn to Skate programming.

PEC Quilters Guild
$2,000 for facility rental of Wellington and District Community Centre.

Prince Edward Learning Centre
$2,000 for ice rental for the annual County Cup fundraiser.

There are 12 organizations across several different disciplines that will receive support through the 2026 PEC Arts Fund.

“Arts and culture bring people together, provide opportunities for creativity and self-expression, and create experiences that connect us across generations,” said Mayor Steve Ferguson. “The arts have a significant economic impact, playing an important role in attracting visitors to Prince Edward County while also being enjoyed by our residents.”

Now in its second year, the PEC Arts Fund supports local arts organizations providing programs and services in Prince Edward County.

The PEC Arts Fund is supported by a contribution of up to $50,000 from the municipality, which is funded by the Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT) and collected from visitors who stay in roofed accommodations.

The County Foundation contributed $25k in seed funding to establish the fund, and welcomes external donations, enabling local businesses and individuals to provide meaningful support for the arts in our community.

“A strong arts sector creates a stronger community. Investment in the PEC Arts Fund helps sustain the vibrant arts and culture that make Prince Edward County unique, while energizing our local economy, supporting livelihoods, and enhancing quality of life for residents and visitors alike,” says Dominique Jones, Executive Director of The County Foundation.

Grant Recipients

Alchemy Artist Residency
$3,200 to provide two bursaries to County artists so that they can participate in the artist-run residency program.

BIGLAKE Arts
$2,700 for operational support for artist fees and year-round concert programming.

County Stage Company
$4,966 for operational support for the 2026 repertory theatre season.

Driftwood Theatre
$4,466 for playwriting and theatre workshops for youth, and artist community engagement events including public readings and professional development opportunities.

Outta the Blue Productions
$3,028 to bring Blue Rodeo’s music to the stage through a jukebox musical production celebrating the iconic Canadian band.

PEC Jazz Festival
$4,966 to support the 2026 Jazz Festival and expanded music education for youth.

Multi-Year Cash Grant Recipients

Baxter Arts Centre
$4,672 to increase outreach efforts, including expanded communications and engagement with low-income families in the County.

Department of Illumination
$10,000 to support ongoing operations including festivals, workshops, and other artistic events.

Music at Port Milford
$4,000 for operational support to strengthen sustainability across its music education programs, concert series, and free community performances.

Prince Edward County Arts Council
$10,000 to support core operations of the County’s arts service organization, enabling continued service to the local arts sector.

Quintissimo
$5,000 to support operational growth, including expanded staffing, a new ukulele program, and increased student enrolment in its after-school music program.

Regent Theatre
$10,000 toward general operations to help with expanding audience growth and programming at the historic Picton Main Street venue.