Inspiring Philanthropy to
Benefit Our Community Today and Forever
Receive current news and updates from the WECF by signing up for our e-newsletter!
The WindsorEssex Community Foundation’s 2021-2022 Annual Report is now available! Click here to read the report and learn more about how we’re Inspiring Philanthropy in our community!
WATCH: Kia Communities in Motion
This summer, award-winning photographer and filmmaker Justin Wu traveled across the country to visit with #KiaCommunitiesOnTheMove funding recipients. Starting out in Windsor Ontario and this is what he found…
Over 20 young up-and-coming and BIPOC women learning to ride, repair and maintain a bike through Young Women in Motion: Breaking Barriers With Bikes, a project facilitated by WEST of Windsor Inc. and Bike Windsor Essex.
And, BlackBoysCode’s Windsor Advancement project, which introduces young black communities to the world of digital culture through immersive hackathons, computer programming workshops, and hands-on experiences.
These initiatives are made possible through the support of WindsorEssex Community Foundation and in partnership with Kia Canada Inc.
Videos by Justin Wu
Communities for Gender Equality
The WindsorEssex Community Foundation is announcing funding totaling $280,000 to nine organizations leading initiatives to support women, girls, Two-Spirit and gender-diverse individuals working towards a future grounded in equity, inclusion and justice. The funding is through the Fund for Gender Equality. This initiative is part of a partnership with Community Foundations of Canada, funded through the Government of Canada. The WindsorEssex Community Foundation is one of 21 local community foundations from coast to coast to coast that are taking part. In total, these community foundations are granting over $3.4M towards the gender equality movement.
WindsorEssex Community Foundation has funded organizations at the heart of the women’s movement, with a focus on those that have demonstrated a long-term commitment to empowering women, girls, Two-Spirit, and gender-diverse people through their mission, activities, or partnerships. This funding spans a variety of purposes, including efforts to pilot new initiatives, to address long-standing community needs, or to support a just recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The nine local organizations receiving funding through this program are as follows:
- Trans Wellness Ontario
- Welcome Centre Shelter for Women
- Artcite Inc. – Cook up
- Art Windsor-Essex
- Windsor Feminist Theatre
- Sexual Assault Crisis Centre of Essex County
- Maryvale
- Women’s Enterprise Skills Training of Windsor
- Windsor Essex Children’s Aid Society – Beauty is Me
The initiatives funded touch on a wide range of areas that are affected by gender equality, including food insecurity, income inequality, racial injustice, domestic violence, and many more. In particular, the Fund prioritizes initiatives that are ‘self-led’—those that are led by the same groups that they focus on serving.
The Fund for Gender Equality is supported by a collaboration between Community Foundations of Canada and the Equality Fund, with support from the Government of Canada.
Community Services Recovery Fund
The WindsorEssex Community Foundation takes part in the Community Services Recovery Fund – a $400 million investment in Community Services Organizations
Now more than ever, Community Service Organizations (charities, non-profits, and Indigenous Governing Bodies) are playing a key role in addressing persistent and complex social problems faced by all Canadians. The Community Services Recovery Fund is a $400 million investment from the Government of Canada to support charities, non-profits, and Indigenous Governing Bodies as they focus on how to adapt their organizations for pandemic recovery.
The WindsorEssex Community Foundation is proud to be working with community foundations across Canada as part of the Community Services Recovery Fund. This fund is a collaboration between the Canadian Red Cross, Community Foundations of Canada, and United Way Centraide Canada to provide funding to Community Service Organizations, including non-profit organizations, Indigenous Governing Bodies or Registered Charities located in Canada. The Community Services Recovery Fund responds to what Community Service Orgnizations need right now and supports organizations as they adapt to the long-term impacts of the pandemic.
Applications are now open, and non-profit organizations, Indigenous Governing Bodies, and charities must apply by February 21, 2023. Visit www.communityservicesrecoveryfund.ca to find out more about how to apply, explore resources for applicants, and submit your application.
Funded by the Government of Canada under the Community Services Recovery Fund.
WindsorEssex Community Foundation
Scholarship Applications Now Open
The WindsorEssex Community Foundation is pleased to announce that a number of our scholarships are now available for students in various fields of study. This funding is available through scholarship funds that have been set up at the WindsorEssex Community Foundation by local families and individuals who want to support young people and have a positive impact on the future of youth in our communities.
The following scholarships are now open.
- Constable John Atkinson Memorial Scholarship;
- Father Matt Sheedy Scholarship;
- Gale & Irene (Knister) Taylor Scholarship;
- Harding Electric/Morris and Ruth Harding Memorial Scholarship;
- Kolody Family Memorial Scholarship;
- Shawn Boxe Memorial Scholarship
CLICK HERE TO APPLY
In 2023, the WECF will celebrate 40 Years of Inspiring Philanthropy. At the core of the Foundation’s outreach has been a rich history of charitable legacy giving through community initiatives and programs. In celebration of this history, the Foundation is developing collaboration opportunities with our local municipal partners and delivering community betterment legacy projects across our region. CLICK HERE to learn more!
2022 VITAL SIGNS® REPORT IS HERE!
This is the tenth Vital Signs® Report that the WindsorEssex Community Foundation (WECF) has released to the community, enabling us to track trends overtime. The Vital Signs® Report outlines where the needs and strengths are in Windsor-Essex County, what the community priorities are, and it helps the WECF determine where we can have the greatest impact locally through our grant making.
Some of the Top Priorities identified in Vital Signs® 2022 Report include:
• Improving access to mental health programs and services
• Increasing opportunities for people to feel included and connected
• Increasing professional opportunities for those seeking employment in the arts & cultural sector
Vital Signs® is a community resource that builds knowledge, informs grant making, and identifies strategic priorities.
CLICK HERE to read the Report today to find out what makes Windsor-Essex County
a great place to live, work, play and grow!
About the Vital Signs® Program
Vital Signs® is a national program led by community foundations and coordinated by Community Foundations of Canada that leverages local knowledge to measure the vitality of our communities and supports action towards improving our quality of life. Started by the Toronto Community Foundation in 2001, Communities across Canada and around the world use Vital Signs® to mobilize the power of community knowledge for local impact.
Thank you to our 2022 Vital Signs Partners:
The WindsorEssex Community Foundation’s offices are open by appointment only.
To make an appointment please contact the WECF at 519-255-6572 or email [email protected]
The WindsorEssex Community Foundation is a proud to partner with Connor Clark and Lunn
“We are honoured to be selected as the investment firm for the Foundation. It is a privilege to work with the community and steward this capital for the future prosperity of the Windsor and Essex County area.” – Mike Downs, CCL
How can we help you?
Get To Know Us
Welcome to WindsorEssex Community Foundation.
We love our partners
Inclusivity and Accessibility, and Privacy Policy
The WindsorEssex Community Foundation (WECF) recognizes and values the diversity in our community and its many forms, and as such we strive to ensure our workplace is a place of inclusivity and belonging to workers, volunteers, clients, and visitors.
The WECF respects the individuality and dignity of people with disabilities. The WECF is committed to providing those with disabilities the same opportunities to access its services and employment opportunities as the WECF would for those without a disability. The WECF is pleased to provide a workplace open to inclusivity in its hiring practices of those with disabilities. Requests for accessibility can be made to the Foundation office by contacting 519-255-6572 or [email protected]
Charitable Registration No: 890653595RR0001
For our Privacy Policy, please click HERE.
Inspiring Philanthropy to
Benefit Our Community Today and Forever
Inspiring Philanthropy to
Benefit Our Community Today and Forever
Receive current news and updates from the WECF by signing up for our e-newsletter!
The WindsorEssex Community Foundation’s 2021-2022 Annual Report is now available! Click here to read the report and learn more about how we’re Inspiring Philanthropy in our community!
WATCH: Kia Communities in Motion
Communities for Gender Equality
The WindsorEssex Community Foundation is announcing funding totaling $280,000 to nine organizations leading initiatives to support women, girls, Two-Spirit and gender-diverse individuals working towards a future grounded in equity, inclusion and justice. The funding is through the Fund for Gender Equality. This initiative is part of a partnership with Community Foundations of Canada, funded through the Government of Canada. The WindsorEssex Community Foundation is one of 21 local community foundations from coast to coast to coast that are taking part. In total, these community foundations are granting over $3.4M towards the gender equality movement.
WindsorEssex Community Foundation has funded organizations at the heart of the women’s movement, with a focus on those that have demonstrated a long-term commitment to empowering women, girls, Two-Spirit, and gender-diverse people through their mission, activities, or partnerships. This funding spans a variety of purposes, including efforts to pilot new initiatives, to address long-standing community needs, or to support a just recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The nine local organizations receiving funding through this program are as follows:
- Trans Wellness Ontario
- Welcome Centre Shelter for Women
- Artcite Inc. – Cook up
- Art Windsor-Essex
- Windsor Feminist Theatre
- Sexual Assault Crisis Centre of Essex County
- Maryvale
- Women’s Enterprise Skills Training of Windsor
- Windsor Essex Children’s Aid Society – Beauty is Me
The initiatives funded touch on a wide range of areas that are affected by gender equality, including food insecurity, income inequality, racial injustice, domestic violence, and many more. In particular, the Fund prioritizes initiatives that are ‘self-led’—those that are led by the same groups that they focus on serving.
The Fund for Gender Equality is supported by a collaboration between Community Foundations of Canada and the Equality Fund, with support from the Government of Canada.
Community Services Recovery Fund
The WindsorEssex Community Foundation takes part in the Community Services Recovery Fund – a $400 million investment in Community Services Organizations
Now more than ever, Community Service Organizations (charities, non-profits, and Indigenous Governing Bodies) are playing a key role in addressing persistent and complex social problems faced by all Canadians. The Community Services Recovery Fund is a $400 million investment from the Government of Canada to support charities, non-profits, and Indigenous Governing Bodies as they focus on how to adapt their organizations for pandemic recovery.
The WindsorEssex Community Foundation is proud to be working with community foundations across Canada as part of the Community Services Recovery Fund. This fund is a collaboration between the Canadian Red Cross, Community Foundations of Canada, and United Way Centraide Canada to provide funding to Community Service Organizations, including non-profit organizations, Indigenous Governing Bodies or Registered Charities located in Canada. The Community Services Recovery Fund responds to what Community Service Orgnizations need right now and supports organizations as they adapt to the long-term impacts of the pandemic.
Applications are now open, and non-profit organizations, Indigenous Governing Bodies, and charities must apply by February 21, 2023. Visit www.communityservicesrecoveryfund.ca to find out more about how to apply, explore resources for applicants, and submit your application.
Funded by the Government of Canada under the Community Services Recovery Fund.
WindsorEssex Community Foundation
Scholarship Applications Now Open
The WindsorEssex Community Foundation is pleased to announce that a number of our scholarships are now available for students in various fields of study. This funding is available through scholarship funds that have been set up at the WindsorEssex Community Foundation by local families and individuals who want to support young people and have a positive impact on the future of youth in our communities.
The following scholarships are now open.
- Constable John Atkinson Memorial Scholarship;
- Father Matt Sheedy Scholarship;
- Gale & Irene (Knister) Taylor Scholarship;
- Harding Electric/Morris and Ruth Harding Memorial Scholarship;
- Kolody Family Memorial Scholarship;
- Shawn Boxe Memorial Scholarship
CLICK HERE TO APPLY
In 2023, the WECF will celebrate 40 Years of Inspiring Philanthropy. At the core of the Foundation’s outreach has been a rich history of charitable legacy giving through community initiatives and programs. In celebration of this history, the Foundation is developing collaboration opportunities with our local municipal partners and delivering community betterment legacy projects across our region. CLICK HERE to learn more!
2022 VITAL SIGNS® REPORT IS HERE!
This is the tenth Vital Signs® Report that the WindsorEssex Community Foundation (WECF) has released to the community, enabling us to track trends overtime. The Vital Signs® Report outlines where the needs and strengths are in Windsor-Essex County, what the community priorities are, and it helps the WECF determine where we can have the greatest impact locally through our grant making.
Some of the Top Priorities identified in Vital Signs® 2022 Report include:
• Improving access to mental health programs and services
• Increasing opportunities for people to feel included and connected
• Increasing professional opportunities for those seeking employment in the arts & cultural sector
Vital Signs® is a community resource that builds knowledge, informs grant making, and identifies strategic priorities.
CLICK HERE to read the Report today to find out what makes Windsor-Essex County
a great place to live, work, play and grow!
About the Vital Signs® Program
Vital Signs® is a national program led by community foundations and coordinated by Community Foundations of Canada that leverages local knowledge to measure the vitality of our communities and supports action towards improving our quality of life. Started by the Toronto Community Foundation in 2001, Communities across Canada and around the world use Vital Signs® to mobilize the power of community knowledge for local impact.
Thank you to our 2022 Vital Signs Partners:
The WindsorEssex Community Foundation’s offices are open by appointment only.
To make an appointment please contact the WECF at 519-255-6572 or email [email protected]
“We are honoured to be selected as the investment firm for the Foundation. It is a privilege to work with the community and steward this capital for the future prosperity of the Windsor and Essex County area.” – Mike Downs, CCL
How can we help you?
Get To Know Us
Welcome to WindsorEssex Community Foundation.
We love our partners
Inclusivity and Accessibility, and Privacy Policy
The WindsorEssex Community Foundation (WECF) recognizes and values the diversity in our community and its many forms, and as such we strive to ensure our workplace is a place of inclusivity and belonging to workers, volunteers, clients, and visitors.
The WECF respects the individuality and dignity of people with disabilities. The WECF is committed to providing those with disabilities the same opportunities to access its services and employment opportunities as the WECF would for those without a disability. The WECF is pleased to provide a workplace open to inclusivity in its hiring practices of those with disabilities. Requests for accessibility can be made to the Foundation office by contacting 519-255-6572 or [email protected]
Charitable Registration No: 890653595RR0001