CENTRE WELLINGTON – Centre Wellington council has approved a new process for reviewing community-based funding and program applications for initiatives planned for 2027.
At Monday’s council meeting, councillors approved the creation of a Community Development Working Group that will help review and evaluate submissions across three Township programs.
The new working group will include volunteers from the former Healthy Communities Advisory Committee and the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Committee who have expressed an interest in continuing to support the work.
The group will review and score applications for the Community Investment Fund, Inclusive Community Program and the Fergus Grand Theatre Co-Presenting Pilot Program.
Using one working group across all three programs is expected to create a more consistent evaluation process while allowing volunteers with experience in community development funding to apply their knowledge across a range of initiatives.
Members will review submissions using established evaluation criteria, provide scores, and identify any relevant considerations for Township staff.
Staff will then compile the feedback and prepare recommendations through the appropriate approval processes.
Council also approved inviting one non-staff, non-elected member of the Board of the Economic Development and Tourism Municipal Services Corporation to participate in the review of applications submitted under the Arts, Culture, Festivals and Events stream of the Community Investment Fund. That member’s involvement will be limited to that program stream and is intended to provide additional sector-specific perspective.
Funding for the programs will be considered as part of the Township’s 2027 budget process, with recommendations for Community Investment Fund awards expected to return to council in the winter of 2027.
Full report here.
