About our club fundraising & where our funds go

The Grove Hubs of Guelph & Wellington

Funding of bus passes for youth to be able to attend The Grove Youth Wellness Centre on Woolwich Street, and support for the Grove's food program. 

Keep Kids Fed At Home

Funding to take 22 children off the program’s waiting list to immediately start receiving weekend food bags to take home from school, and grocery gift cards mailed to their homes during the summer holidays.

Waterloo Wellington Science & Engineering Fair  

Towards awards for participating students Gr 8-12. This annual competition encourages new generations to focus on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math). 

Nine Rotary Awards for graduating high schoolers  

Each year, our club supports and honours graduating high schoolers at their commencement ceremonies. In spring 2025, we personally presented eight Gary Tatum Achievement Awards (one per high school) for students who made a significant achievement in the face of adversity or extraordinary challenges. We also presented our annual Don Bower Career Development Award to one student at College Heights Secondary School who had shown dedication and perseverance and requires books, tools or other necessities for their chosen career. 

The Turtle Island Youth Award

Each year, our club recognizes a high school student who has demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities in the community and in the promotion of Indigenous culture. 

Reading Buddy Program

Towards materials for our members to use in their weekly volunteering time with elementary school children chosen by their teachers to receive educational support and encouragement.

Career & Education Council of Guelph Wellington

Sponsorship of the ICE4Good workshop for high school students to encourage Initiative, Creativity and Entrepreneurship.

Habitat for Humanity Solar Project

Towards funds to qualify for a Rotary Global Grant for the largest solar project for affordable housing in Canadian history – right here in Guelph, facilitated by our club. 

Earth Day educational movie night

Towards a community event showing an Earth Day environmental movie at The Bookshelf Cinema followed by Q&A with an expert.

Hanlon Creek Forest 

For promotional and practical support to support Earth Day tree planting at Guelph’s newest forest, off Laird Road.  

Indigenous Reconciliation Walk

Our club coordinates and actively supports Guelph’s local, annual Reconciliation Walk, a project of True North Aid. It’s an educational opportunity for families and individuals to learn about Canada’s past and present relationship with Indigenous peoples by viewing reading stations set up along a wooded trail at Riverside Park in late September. 

Eradicating Human Trafficking

For 100 lawn signs to raise awareness in the Guelph community

End Polio Now

For materials for our club’s “Purple For Polio Gardens” campaign to raise awareness and funds towards ending polio worldwide

Hospice Wellington

For massage therapy to ease pain and suffering

Shelldale Family Gateway

Towards their before-school breakfast program for around 60 local children, and provision of lunch bags as needed. 

Big Brothers Big Sisters Guelph

Towards their core mentoring program which matches caring adults with kids in need.

Enactus Guelph

In support of material costs for this University of Guelph entrepreneurship club and their sustainability project to repurpose coffee grounds from campus kitchens and turn it into beauty products (“Brewed Beauty”). Their project won awards!

Michael House Pregnancy and Parenting Support Services

Towards mental health programming for clients.

Guelph Wish Fund for Children

Towards helping families cope with extraordinary medical expenses and/or to bring joy to a suffering child.

Royal City Masters chess tournament

In support of the first ever major chess tournament to be hosted in Guelph, in August 2025. 

Guatemala Paediatric Clinic

We joined 20 other Rotary Clubs to contribute towards a Rotary Global Grant to provide paediatric equipment and staff training for a new wing at a rural hospital in Guatemala.