Peterborough, ON: The Peterborough Foundation strengthened the work of many local charities with over $150,000 in grants in 2023.
The funds were disbursed to a total of 18 organizations including Public Energy, Showplace Performance Centre and Camp Kawartha. According to recipients, the funding will help to make a positive difference in 2024 and beyond.
- “Public Energy is launching an initiative aimed at providing greater access to local theatre for deaf and hard of hearing audiences and will host free workshops for local practitioners of ASL (American Sign Language) in how to provide simultaneous ASL interpretation for live theatre,”. “This initiative is possible thanks to the Peterborough Foundation funding.” - Bill Kimball, Artistic Director
- "After the pandemic's dismantling of so many of our social connections, it takes an extraordinary amount of work to rebuild those networks. Thanks to the Peterborough Foundation for believing in our ability to do the work to create a more tight-knit and caring community.” – Lois Tuffin, Founder, Volunteer Peterborough
- “Thanks to the Peterborough Foundation and its donors, we at Camp Kawartha have been able to provide more than 1,000 students and campers from low-income families with financial assistance to access Camp Kawartha’s award-winning programming.” – Jacob Rodenberg, Executive Director
“Showplace Performance Centre is so very grateful for the work, and generosity, of The Peterborough Foundation. With your help we are able to purchase, and upgrade, audio and video equipment to better serve our patrons, and the community at large.” – Scott Lale, Executive Director.
Nancy Martin, Chair of the Peterborough Foundation Board, the area’s longest-running Foundation, said the Foundation has supported hundreds of charities during its 70-year history. “The Peterborough Foundation has made a tremendous difference financially for local organizations for decades and, because of prudent financial management, we are pleased to be able to help local charities, especially during this time of high inflation.”
Martin encourages local charities to visit www.peterboroughfoundation.org to learn more about the application process and donors to consider a gift to the Peterborough Foundation. “We will be distributing funds again this June and December, and we welcome the community to help us sustain this amazing initiative,” stated Martin.
Grant application deadlines are May 1st for the June Board meeting and November 1st for the December meeting. Applicants must be a not-for-profit charitable organization and carry out its activities in the City and County of Peterborough. Grant requests must be for capital expenditures only, and applications are made through the Foundation’s website: www.peterboroughfoundation.org.
The Peterborough Foundation was incorporated in 1953 from the estate of Mr. and Mrs. Louis Magie. The Foundation has distributed over $2,000,000 from a capital base of just under $1,000,000.
December 2023 Peterborough Foundation Recipients
| Peterborough Regional Health Centre | $19,200 |
| Showplace Peterborough | $18,900 |
| Camp Kawartha | $14,400 |
| McMaster University Research | $14,400 |
| Art Gallery of Peterborough | $14,400 |
| Hospice Peterborough | $10,000 |
| Kawartha-Haliburton Children’s Foundation | $10,000 |
| Peterborough Symphony | $ 5,000 |
| Public Energy | $ 2,500 |
| Peterborough Kiwanis Music Festival | $ 500 |
| Total Distribution December 2023 | $113,850 |
June 2023 Peterborough Foundation Recipients
| Community Counselling & Resource Centre | $9,291 |
| Bedford House | $5,580 |
| New Canadians Centre | $5,000 |
| St. Joseph’s at Fleming | $5,000 |
| Trent Valley Archives | $5,000 |
| Ancient Forest Exploration & Research | $5,000 |
| Peterborough Folk Festival | $2,000 |
| Total Distribution June 2023 | $36,871 |
For more information, about The Peterborough Foundation or for comments, please contact Nancy Martin at 705-743-1869.
History of the Peterborough Foundation
Louis D.W. Magie was an American Engineer who worked with The General Electric Company in the United States. He moved to Peterborough in 1900 and worked for Canadian General Electric until his retirement in 1938. Mr. and Mrs. Magie had no immediate family members and in 1950, Mr. Magie wished to make provision for the disposition of their estate. Dr. G.S.Cameron and James H. Turner assisted the Magies in carrying out their wishes for this disposition. The result was the incorporation of the Peterborough Foundation in September 1953. Mr. Magie’s modesty would not allow his name to be part of the Foundation name and it was to remain inactive until after he died, which occurred in 1956.