Past Community Initiatives

The following initiatives have been selected and endorsed by the Board of Directors. These projects were selected to appeal to a variety of resident interests and are well distributed throughout Amherstburg.

If you would like to receive notification of the next application intake period, please send a request to info@amherstburgfoundation.org

Donate to the Amherstburg Community Foundation and help fund projects like these, just click the donate button.

2022 INITIATIVES

$33,849.00 IN GRANTS AWARDED TO AMHERSTBURG COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS IN 2022!

Stella Maris Elementary School

Stella Maris Elementary School was awarded the status of being a Peaceful School by the Rotary Club. In honour of this acheivement, the Amherstburg Community Foundation made a donation to their Butterfly Habitat to purchase flowers or plants.

$250.00 - Funded through an ACF Believe in Amherstburg Grant!

the Runaways farm

The Runaways Farm is a new, developing sanctuary for unwanted agricultural animals. We currently provide space for chickens and ducks, and are in the process of setting up our small acreage to receive larger animals such as pigs and goats. Within the next 2 years we plan to introduce an education and advocacy component within the community, with the aim of encouraging compassion for farmed animals, and helping individuals manage their own challenges with rehoming pets. In order to expand our rescue operations, we need to fence in our pasture with equine-grade fencing and add a 3 stall shed row barn. These two additions will provide permanent shelter and safety for a number of hoofed animals.

$5,000.00 - Funded through an ACF Believe in Amherstburg Grant!

Amherstburg Food & Fellowship Mission

We believe the services we have provided over our years improve the quality of life of many residents, as we have continue to feed over 15000 meals year after year. Furthermore, we ensure we provide an inclusive environment that focuses not only on food but fellowship is a key service we provide. As our Our motto has been for more than 20 years "People helping people" and no one is excluded. The commercial grade cooler currently in use is failing and the Mission is in need of a new one to keep perishable foods from spoiling and allowing the Mission to continue to supple Amherstburg residents in need of fresh produce and perishable items.

$8,599.00 - Funded through an ACF Believe in Amherstburg Grant!

Town of Amherstburg

Diageo Tree PLanting

ACF was pleased to offer our support to the Town of Amherstburg and Diageo and facilitate their project consisting of planting 35 trees in the right of way along William Street.

$20,000.00 - Funded through an ACF Believe in Amherstburg Grant!

2021 INITIATIVES

$50,099.52 IN GRANTS AWARDED TO AMHERSTBURG COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS IN 2021!

Royal Canadian Legion - 157

For many years, the Royal Canadian Legion Fort Malden Branch 157 has prided itself on being wheelchair accessible. However, there are desperately needed changes to be made to our second floor washrooms and entryways, which would require significant renovation in order to provide wheelchair accessibility throughout our building. These renovations would require complete structural and aesthetic renovations of two washrooms (one male, one female), as well as two wheelchair ramps and two automated doors for entry to the second floor. With these changes, the Branch would become fully-accessible to all. Full project completion projected by Fall 2022.

$7,500.00 - Funded through an ACF Believe in Amherstburg Grant!

Fort Malden Guild of Arts and Crafts

Gibson Gallery

FMGAC has undertaken the stewardship of Amherstburg's heritage train station for over 50 years so that it can be accessible to the public and to encourage and foster cultural development in the fields of fine arts and applied arts and crafts. In 2009, shoring jacks were installed within the building's crawlspace to raise and level the main Gallery floor due to "sagging" around the perimeter. By 2021, the situation had worsened and required the repair work to be done by an outside contractor. Completion of this repair on the heritage building was mandatory for the structural integrity of the building.

$7,500.00 - Funded through an ACF Believe in Amherstburg Grant!

Bryerswood Youth Camp

The Bryerswood Youth Camp Optimist Club (BYCOC) is a fairly new organization becoming a registered charity through the Canada Revenue Agency in 2019. Our mission is to own, operate and maintain a year-round camp for youth which addresses and prevents problems faced by youth; to provide structured programs in a safe space for youth and those wh self-identify as females; to advance education of youth in leadership training in an outdoor environment; to protect the environment for the benefit of the public. Bryerswood Youth Camp will require new signage to help direct people to the camp property and a sign at the entrance to the camp property welcoming campers as the current signs do not reflect the new name or ownership.

$7,000.00 - Funded through an ACF Believe in Amherstburg Grant!

Amherstburg HIstoric Sites Association

Park House Museum

The Park House is a year-round museum catering to the needs of visiting school children, seniors and the general public; we bring the story of Amherstburg and its people to life through programs and exhibits that are created to engage and inspire all who visit. The museum is in dire need of a new accessibility ramp; a new ramp will permit a continuation of our museum accessibility planand visitor inclusivity. Our idea would be to replace the front wooden boardwalk with a non-slip surface that would wrap around the north side of the museum to a ramp that would create accessibility access

$7,500.00 - Funded through an ACF Believe in Amherstburg Grant!

Amherstburg Community Services

Following Covid, Amherstburg Community Services hoped to launch many new programs and events for residents, especially seniors. Taking the lead and suggestions from their clients, five of the programs that required start up funding are Monday Movie Matinees, Baker's Dozen Baking Group, Friday Fun Day, Cooking Classes and Crafter's Corner which would necessitate the purchase of a popcorn machine, bakeware, cookware, games, craft supplies etc.

$6,900.00 - Funded through an ACF Believe in Amherstburg Grant!

marsh historical collection/Royal Canadian Legion - 157

The Marsh Historical Collection and the Royal Canadian Legion 157 proposed the project of adding plaques at the Amherstburg cenotaph commemorating the solders listed on the cenotaph. The plaques would include a photo and a little about each veteran thus highlighting all those from our Amherstburg community who fought and died for our freedoms.

$1,699.52 - Funded through an ACF Believe in Amherstburg Grant!

Town of Amherstburg

Community Garden Project

The Town of Amherstburg in conjunction with some of the tenants of the Community Hub on Richmond St. hope to build a community garden. This project would involve the construction of 12 raised garden beds constructed with wood, with irrigation and security lighting. There would be 10 pre-manufactured beds specifically designed for those with physical challenges. The plans also include 5 large in ground plots with wood chip pathways. This project would offer food to some of the organizations within the Hub, community gardening opportunities to the public and the synergy of different groups, ages, abilities to work together.

$12,000.00 - Funded through an ACF Believe in Amherstburg Grant!

2020 Initiatives

$169,626.11 in grants awarded to Amherstburg Community Organizations in 2020!

Cat Assistance Team

This not for profit group has been active in Amherstburg for 8 years. They trap, neuter and return feral cats and lost community cats within the town limits. The group also cares for community cats that have been neutered to manage the colony and reduce friction between community members and the feral population. They provide information on how to live with community cats in neighbourhoods and help citizens with issues asthey arise. They are requesting a donation to assist with their operations during Covid.

$2500.00 - Funded through an ACF Believe in Amherstburg Grant!

Wings Avian Rehabilitation Centre

Founded in 1991, Wings Rehab Centre is a charitable organization that rehabilitates injured birds and animals. It is a full service critical care centre complete with fenced in ponds, flight cages for birds, and enclosures for raccoons, squirrels, opossum, deer and other wildlife species. Manned by hundreds of volunteers it took in 3,900 mammals and birds in 2019. It is looking for funding for necessary repairs to its outside yard and enclosures. Specifically, the funds would fix up their two ponds, a new roof for their barn, and reconstruct many cages. All making the centre safer and better for helping their wildlife patients recover from their injuries.

$7500.00 - Funded through an ACF Believe in Amherstburg Grant!

House Youth Centre

Established in 1971, House has been a youth centre in Amherstburg for more than 40 years offering peer mentoring on subjects such as self- esteem, healthy relationships and positive supports in the community. The Centre is looking to fund a computer and technology area that would allow for extended after-school hours and a homework help program. These improvements allow for a safe, modern space for youth to do homework and would keep our youth from having to travel out of town to other area youth centres.

$7500.00 - Funded through an ACF Believe in Amherstburg Grant!

Safe Families - Windsor/Essex Chapter

A program that gives support to families in distress by strengthening the community safety net for at risk families by offering voluntary arrangements for children to stay with Host Families during crisis, to receive support/community resources and mentors to continue growth allowing children to remain safe and families intact. Safe Families is looking for funding to continue their work of supplying needs such as food security and baby supplies, as well as a volunteer base to assist with matching families with the services they need.

$2000.00 - Funded through an ACF Believe in Amherstburg Grant!

Amherstburg Historic Sites Association

Park House Museum

A year-round museum said to have been built in 1790’s, the Park House welcomes school children, seniors and the general public for programs and exhibits. The museum is requesting funding to begin exterior restoration and preservation of the main building and the pensioner’s cottage. A credible donation from the community will benefit the museum’s efforts to apply for additional grants that are geared to build on such support. The project would allow for the preservation of one of the cornerstones of our community heritage.

$7500.00 - Funded through an ACF Believe in Amherstburg Grant!

Amherstburg Food and Fellowship Mission

Amherstburg Food and Fellowship Mission - The Mission is an organization that helps the Amherstburg community by providing free meals to Amherstburg residents that may be economically disadvantaged. It also helps the health of our community through fellowship to residents in need. Its motto is “people helping people”. It does all this from a building that houses all their food supplies, a full-service kitchen and a dining area where community residents gather to eat. To be able to continue to do their important works they need funds to be able replace their 20-year-old furnace.

$12,995.00 - Funded through an ACF Believe in Amherstburg Grant!

Amherstburg Horticultural Society

Amherstburg Fort Malden Horticultural Society - Established in 1906, the Society has been in operation for 114 years. The Society requests funding for a Signature garden at the new Community Health and Wellness Centre at 320 Richmond St. The garden will include a pollinator garden for butterflies and bees, native tree species and perennials, hardscapes such as trellises, a bubbling rock, an accessible patio and birdhouses. The project will address environmental health and best green practices, garden therapy for physical and mental health and synergy and collaboration with the town and a wide range of residents.

$5000.00 - Funded through an ACF Believe in Amherstburg Grant!

Firehorse Leadership Organization

The startup and launch of Firehorse Leadership Organizations Youth Engagement Strides to Success program will put us on a path to providing education and experience that leads to practical life goal setting with guidance and life skill development. The focus in Strides to Success is to provide youth workshops and training to engage them in developing career readiness skills, interpersonal confidence, time management skills and community engagement.

$5000.00 - Funded through an ACF Believe in Amherstburg Grant!

Fighting Island Boxing Club

Since its inception in 1999, Fighting Island Boxing club has produced multiple national and provincial champions from our community. Although impressive, the real benefit to the community is having young athletes excel at life skills, self confidence, self worth, brotherhood, and having a place that is always safe and welcoming. Not only do they excel as individuals, they also grow as a team. We are moving from our current location to the St. Bernard facility at Richmond and Victoria. We will need a new full sized, above ground ring as our current ring cannot be moved without destroying it.

$7500.00 - Funded through an ACF Believe in Amherstburg Grant!

Amherstburg Community Services

Each year Amherstburg Community Services serves over 18000 Meals on Wheels meals. Their goal is to continue to improve the overall quality of life for residents. The ACS requested funding for a new dishwasher to replace their old one ; one that will be more energy efficient(reduce hydro and water), and ensure that all efforts to keep our most vulnerable members of society, healthy. (Stop the spread of bacteria). This will allow ACS to grow and expand.

$5500.00 - Funded through an ACF Believe in Amherstburg Grant!

Society of St Vincent de Paul

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul works with vulnerable people in our Amherstburg community delivering emergency food supplies, beds and home furnishings to those in desperate need. They also provide summer camp experiences for 7 children and Christmas gifts for 44 families. Most of the SSVP volunteers are seniors and on a fixed income, and all funds raised go directly to those in need - SSVP asked the Amherstburg Community Foundation for a grant of $2,000.00, which will be used to cover the cost of police clearances for their volunteers,enabling them to continue their vital work.

$2000.00 - Funded through an ACF Believe in Amherstburg Grant!

Amherstburg Carnegie Library

This initiative would fund a library refresh with a budget of $40,000 that would make the library more exciting, more engaging and more usable for the residents of Amherstburg by adding colourful murals, comfortable seating, new books and an expanded public computer area.

Fundraising Goal - $40,000 - Goal accomplished!

Thank you Amherstburg!

Beaudoin Park - River Canard

Public space is vital to community health and social development and parks and trails are two of the most visible and accessible elements of public space. Most importantly, high quality parks facilitate social interaction, community cohesion and allow neighbours to get to know each other. Parks are critical community assets. Beaudoin Park is centric to the Canard River community surrounding St. Joseph Parish and Elementary School. This park ranks high in priority for redevelopment as indentified in the Amherstburg Parks Master Plan. The proposed design concept includes laying out three play “precincts” has a budget ask of $55,000.

Fundraising Goal - $55,000 - Goal Accomplished!

Thank you Amherstburg!