Region invests $2.2 million into organizations working to create a safe and well Waterloo Region

Waterloo Region – Forty community organizations working towards building a safe and well Waterloo Region are the latest recipients of the Region’s upstream investments.

This year, grassroots community organizations received a combined $2.2 million through the Region’s 2023 Upstream Fund and Community Capacity Building Fund. The 2023 recipients include a diverse range of work focused on Reconciliation, land-based teaching, culturally safe programs and services, building skills for employment and youth leadership, and more.

View the full list of recipients.

“Each of these groups are working to create a region where everyone – including members of racialized and other marginalized communities – feels safe, cared for, and has the opportunity to thrive,” said Regional Chair Karen Redman. “By continuing to invest in this work, we create a better community for everyone.”

The community-led Community Change Committee reviewed more than 100 applications, prioritizing grassroots organizations and groups that face barriers to accessing funding sources.

As with last year, the 2023 funding builds on the priorities the community identified in the Community Safety and Wellbeing framework.

So far, over two years, $8.2 million in funding has supported over 70 organizations and grassroots groups.

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Background

The Upstream Fund is a $2.1 million annual fund first approved in December 2021 by Council as part of the 2022 Plan and Budget.

With nearly one million people expected to call Waterloo Region home by 2051, making the region safe and well for all takes a whole community approach. The Upstream Fund recognizes the value community-led organizations and groups have in achieving this goal.

Investing in community-led change was a key call to action from community as part of the Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan process.

Over the coming year, collaboration with the successful organizations will continue as the Region learns and shares stories of their work and achievements. Follow along with the process at www.engagewr.ca/communitysafetywellbeing.