Connecting philanthropists to community needs

Identifying projects that improve the quality of life in our community and supporting those initiatives is high on the list of priorities for The Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation (KWCF).

Recently, donors, stakeholders, sponsors, and media partners of The KWCF attended the inaugural launch of “Vital Ideas” – a tool designed to connect donors and philanthropists to community needs and educate them about funding opportunities.

Meant as a companion publication to Waterloo Region’s Vital Signs, a report on quality of life in the Region, Vital Ideas highlights the important work being done by charities in Kitchener, Waterloo and area – work that is making a real difference in our community.

“The programs and organizations profiled in our newest publication Vital Ideas align with the knowledge we gather from our work on Vital Signs,” says Rosemary Smith, CEO of The KWCF.

The initiatives outlined in the publication provide unique and innovative approaches to dealing with root causes of issues such as: health and wellness, learning, and safety, to name a few.

At the launch, The Working Centre’s Director, Joe Mancini was on-hand to talk about one of the Centre’s projects.

“The Psychiatric Outreach Project, rooted at St. John’s Kitchen, is a creative, cost efficient, and integrated approach that meets the most vulnerable where they spend their time,” he said.

“This project demonstrates that deinstitutionalization must be complemented with effective community-based services accessible to those dealing with the fog of mental illness.”

Another organization speaking at the event was Strong Start. New Executive Director Machelle Denison shared that “Strong Start's Get Ready for School Program helps ensure children enter Junior Kindergarten feeling confident, comfortable, and prepared to learn."

“The work of these organizations and the others featured in Vital Ideas and the positive impact their programs and initiatives bring about is what truly makes our community the vital, creative, and innovative place that it is,” adds Smith.

“By working together and tackling issues where they begin, we can make our community an even better place to live, work, and raise a family.”

The Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation improves the quality of life in Kitchener-Waterloo and the surrounding area, now and for generations to come, by building community assets, addressing needs through grant making, and providing leadership on key community issues.

Vital Ideas is funded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation.