WELCOME TO YOUR COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
The WindsorEssex Community Foundation is building a better Windsor-Essex, now and for generations to come, by attracting and managing legacy funds, addressing community needs through grant making, and bringing community partners together. We are leaders in community development who help to identify and fill needs by supporting not-for-profit organizations with funding and expertise.
Current News & Events
November 9th, 2012 - Random Act of Kindness Day!
Five years ago, the Kitchener-Waterloo Community Foundation started the Random Act of Kindness Day tradition in Canada.
Three years ago, we joined with a number of community foundations in southern and southwestern Ontario to celebrate kindness in our communities every November.
Now I’m pleased to report that RAK Day has moved to Brockville in eastern Ontario.
In the west, Thunder Bay, Kenora in northern Ontario, the Battlefords in Saskatchewan and Banff and Grande Prairie in Alberta have all become RAK Day cities.
So when you post your RAK Day story on our website this November 9, we will be happy to share it with these other communities across Canada through our social media. As the RAK card says, “You have been touched by a Random Act of Kindness …pass it on!”
For more information Click HERE! for our Random Act of Kindness Page
June 26th, 2012 - Call to Artists!
The WindsorEssex Community Foundation and the City of Windsor with funding from the Canadian Department of Heritage is inviting artists to participate in a mural project in Olde Sandwich Towne. There will be two murals created and installed as part of this project.
The murals need to focus on the commemoration of the war of 1812, helping our community to celebrate 200 years of Peace between Canada and the United States of America in an interesting and unique way.
For more information Click HERE! for full article.
Click HERE! for PDF of Mural Locations.
Community Foundation Eco Grant to Nature Conservancy of Canada
Conservation work in Ontario just got easier. WECF has teamed up with Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) and made a generous donation of a brand new Dodge Grand Caravan.
This vehicle will be used to safely and efficiently transport staff, equipment and supplies to NCC properties spread across southwestern Ontario. This new van will boost NCC's field conservatory work, from tree planting to non-native plant removal, even further.
Shown in photo Udo Kewitz and Drew Soltes of Provincial Chrysler, Linda Branderhorst with NCC and Glenn Stresman of WECF
WECF Sponsors 2013 International Children’s Games
Pictured from left to right: WECF Executive Director Glenn Stresman, WECF Past Chair, Michael Robinson, WECF ViceChair Marty Solcz, Mayor Eddie Francis and Warden Tom Bain.
The 2013 International Children’s Games Co Chairs, Mayor Eddie Francis and Warden Tom Bain announced the first five corporate and community sponsor partnerships at a cheque presentation ceremony during the official sponsorship campaign kick-off.
The International Children’s Games (ICG) originated in Celje, Slovenia, over forty years ago. Founder, Metod Klemenc’s passionate belief that young people could develop lasting friendships and promote peace in the world through sport, enabled the ICG to grow from its humble beginnings in Europe to become one of the most respected and largest youth sporting events in the world.
His vision and legacy continues to this day. Host cities around the world have welcomed thousands of young athletes to participate in a friendly sporting competition that has served to inspire, engage and enrich the lives of young people.
Windsor Essex is proud to be part of this fine tradition and is preparing to welcome between 1500 to 2000 athletes and their coaches in the summer of 2013. This is made possible in part by the community and corporate sponsor partners and suppliers.
March 20th, 2012 - Staff Announcement
Mike Morency, our Grants and Communications Coordinator for the past 2 years, will be leaving us at the end of March to complete his studies in the Bachelor of Social Work Program at the University of Windsor.
During his time at the Community Foundation, Mike used his IT expertise to develop our current online grant application system. He was also instrumental in developing our very successful Random Act of Kindness Day initiative in Windsor, modeling it after the program developed and trademarked by the Kitchener-Waterloo Community Foundation. Mike's enthusiasm for social networking is evident in his work developing our social media presence on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Flickr. For many, Mike was their first contact when agency staff called seeking information about WECF grants.
We thank Mike for his work as our first Grants and Communications Coordinator and wish him continued success as he continues his career.
Of note, the Grants and Communications Coordinator position was made possible by a grant received from the Ontario Trillium Foundation.
Glenn Stresman, Executive Director
March 12, 2012 - Grant Puts Wheels in Motion
This morning, the Nature Conservancy of Canada ordered a new, Windsor built, Dodge Grand Caravan, thanks to a grant arranged for through the WindsorEssex Community Foundation. The organization will use the vehicle in its work of preserving and protecting our region’s most important natural areas.
“The WindsorEssex Community Foundation is in tune with the needs of their local community and we endorse their recommendation to support Nature Conservancy of Canada with this grant,” stated Martha Powell, CEO of the London Community Foundation.
January 31, 2012 - $5 Million and Counting…
The WindsorEssex Community Foundation is pleased to announce that is has surpassed $5 million dollars in grants since its founding in 1983. “While this milestone is significant, what makes it noteworthy is the fact that these funds have gone to a diverse array of initiatives which have made Windsor-Essex a more vibrant and vital community” states Susan Easterbrook, Chair of the Foundation Board.
