Kingston And Area Awards $42,000 to Frontenac County Charities
On December 11, the Community Foundation For Kingston and Area Awarded $370,000 to charities in the region, and Frontenac County was well represented in this granting cycle.
In all, 5 Frontenac County based projects received funding, for a total amount of over $42,000, a big change from the granting announcement by the community foundation in June, when Frontenac County groups and organisations were shut out. The details of the Frontenac County awards are printed below.
Clar-Mill Community Volunteers
Clar-Mill Hall storage upgrades - $7,000
Clar-Mill Community Volunteers seek to purchase and install five closed, commercial-grade metal storage cabinets to replace open shelving in the backroom adjacent to the Clar-Mill Community Hall’s commercial kitchen in Plevna. The project responds to health, safety, and efficiency concerns and will allow secure, closed storage of 100% of food and related supplies, aligning with safe food-handling practice and improving day-to-day organisation for multiple user groups.
Queens University Biological Station
Connecting Communities to Water: Canoes for Environmental Education, Outreach, and Research - $9,600.00
Queen’s University’s Biological Station (QUBS) seeks to purchase four triple-layer polyethylene canoes to replace older, donated canoes in the QUBS fleet. The new canoes are intended to improve safety, stability, and maneuverability—particularly for beginners—thereby increasing accessibility to paddling-based programming. Canoes will support hands-on environmental education, outreach, recreational learning, and research activities delivered on QUBS lakes and adjacent shorelines, during the open-water season (approximately April–October).
RKY CAMP
RKY - KEYS PA Day Programs - $5,058.64
RKY Camp proposes two one-day camp programs, on PA Days (May and October 2026) for KEYS-connected newcomer children and youth. Each day will run one bus from Kingston (central pickup near the Kingston Centre) to the camp, with a capacity of ~50 participants. Participants will be grouped by age, each group facilitated by two trained RKY staff, with KEYS youth workers embedded to support language and comfort. Activities include canoeing, climbing, fire-building, nature crafts, and archery, with a Halal hot meal and unlimited snacks provided.
Southern Frontenac Community Services Corporation
Aging Well Together: Training for Tomorrow's Care - $14,450.00
Southern Frontenac Community Services Corporation proposes organisation-wide training to build empathy, knowledge, and practical skills for supporting older adults experiencing frailty and/or dementia. The program will deliver interactive workshops focused on age-related changes, dementia awareness, and communication strategies. A core feature is experiential learning using an aging simulation suit to help participants understand common physical and sensory challenges; structured reflection and discussion translate these experiences into practice.
Sydenham High School
Eagle's Nest - $6,096.98
Sydenham High School seeks to purchase an industrial washer and dryer for the Eagle’s Nest, Sydenham High School’s Hospitality & Tourism program, to support daily operations of the program and related school activities. The equipment will be used every day to clean kitchen rags and student uniforms, supporting food safety and consistent participation by approximately 80 student kitchen workers per day; service other programs and needs across the school, including welding, sports teams, social workers, and student services; and will enable the launch of a free clothing/essentials outlet by ensuring donations are washed and ready for distribution, reducing stigma and improving dignity for students accessing support.
The Community Grants Program is the Community Foundation’s longest standing granting program, supporting local initiatives that strengthen communities across Kingston & Area since 1995. Grants are made possible through the generosity of donors, who have established 54 endowment funds to support granting, with funding decisions made through a community-based, volunteer review process.
