Thursday
August 28
2025

2025 Neighbourhood Fund Recipients

Peterborough, ON – United Way Peterborough & District is proud to announce the recipients of its 2025 Neighbourhood Fund grants. This year, the fund received an overwhelming response with 27 applications requesting over $100,000 in support. After a thorough review process, 11 projects were selected to receive a total of $30,000 in funding.

The Neighbourhood Fund supports grassroots, community-led initiatives that foster connection, inclusion, and belonging across the city and county. These projects are made possible thanks to the generosity of local donors who believe in the power of neighbours helping neighbours.

2025 Neighbourhood Fund Grant Recipients (Project/Event Name):

Big Sing Nogojiwanong-Peterborough ($2240)
BIPOC Youth Environmental Justice Program ($4200)
Building Community Through Creative Recycling & Reuse ($3900)
Diwali 2025 ($4000)
Healing Through Gardening ($900)
Lakefield Pride Picnic ($1500)
Neighbourhood Welcome & Inclusion Project ($1050)
Neighbourhood Winter Gatherings ($2200)
Peterborough Volunteer Appreciation Day ($5000)
The Community Table ($2010)
Ukrainian Cultural Events ($3000)

“These projects reflect the incredible creativity, diversity, and warmth of our community, it is amazing how far a little bit of money can go in building community” said Jim Russell, CEO at United Way Peterborough & District. “We’re honoured to support initiatives that bring people together and build stronger, more inclusive neighbourhoods. It’s not about the best grant writer, it’s about finding groups that really connect with their neighbourhood” added Nancy Fischer, Chair of the Community Impact Committee.

The Neighbourhood Fund is entirely supported by community donations. As we celebrate this year’s recipients, we also look ahead to our 2026 Campaign Launch on Thursday, September 25, where we’ll continue to raise funds to support local impact.

For more information about the Neighbourhood Fund or to donate, visit unitedwayptbo.ca.

Media Contact:

Tonya Kraan, Director of Community Impact
tkraan@uwpeterborough.ca
705-742-8839 x30

Social Posts

Our grand finale retirement prank: a boardroom full of Jim’s!

Thanks for the laughs, Jim.

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Our grand finale retirement prank: a boardroom full of Jim’s!

Thanks for the laughs, Jim.

The end of another school year is drawing near, and we’re feeling oh so grateful for all of the incredible educators in our community! 🙏🍎

We want to help you say “thank you” to an educator who’s made a difference in your life this year with a United Way “Good Apple Award”. Every certificate purchased directly supports United Way’s Backpacks for Success initiative, supplying students in Peterborough & County with the materials they need to be successful in the 2026/27 school year.

🔗 Visit the link in our bio to get your certificate today!

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The end of another school year is drawing near, and we’re feeling oh so grateful for all of the incredible educators in our community! 🙏🍎

We want to help you say “thank you” to an educator who’s made a difference in your life this year with a United Way “Good Apple Award”. Every certificate purchased directly supports United Way’s Backpacks for Success initiative, supplying students in Peterborough & County with the materials they need to be successful in the 2026/27 school year.

🔗 Visit the link in our bio to get your certificate today!

Today is National Indigenous Peoples Day.

We celebrate the diverse cultures, histories, and contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples.

Let’s continue learning and reflecting together

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Today is National Indigenous Peoples Day.

We celebrate the diverse cultures, histories, and contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples.

Let’s continue learning and reflecting together

Happy Father’s Day 💙

Your love and guidance help build stronger communities.

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Happy Father’s Day 💙

Your love and guidance help build stronger communities.

Today, United Way Peterborough & District is announcing an important leadership transition.

As Jim Russell prepares to retire after nearly 15 years as Chief Executive Officer, we extend our deepest gratitude for his leadership, dedication, and commitment to building a stronger community. Jim`s impact on this organization and the people we serve will be felt for years to come.

At the same time, we are pleased to welcome Jason Seguya as our next Chief Executive Officer, effective July 6, 2026. Jason brings experience leading mission-driven organizations and a strong commitment to collaboration, community engagement, and positive social impact.

As we look ahead to our 85th year of serving Peterborough & County, we are excited for the future and confident in the leadership that will guide us into this next chapter.

Please join us in thanking Jim for his years of service and welcoming Jason to the United Way movement.

Read more at the link in our bio.

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Today, United Way Peterborough & District is announcing an important leadership transition.

As Jim Russell prepares to retire after nearly 15 years as Chief Executive Officer, we extend our deepest gratitude for his leadership, dedication, and commitment to building a stronger community. Jim's impact on this organization and the people we serve will be felt for years to come.

At the same time, we are pleased to welcome Jason Seguya as our next Chief Executive Officer, effective July 6, 2026. Jason brings experience leading mission-driven organizations and a strong commitment to collaboration, community engagement, and positive social impact.

As we look ahead to our 85th year of serving Peterborough & County, we are excited for the future and confident in the leadership that will guide us into this next chapter.

Please join us in thanking Jim for his years of service and welcoming Jason to the United Way movement.

Read more at the link in our bio.

After nearly nine years with United Way Peterborough & District, we’re saying goodbye (but not really goodbye) to Rhonda Gilchrist as she begins an exciting new chapter as Executive Director of The Mount Community Centre. Rhonda has been a steady hand, a fierce advocate, a problem solver, and a champion for this community in every sense of the word.

For those of us lucky enough to work alongside her, we’ll miss her wisdom, her humour, the stories of her beloved pets, her unwavering dedication, and her ability to somehow make even the most challenging days feel manageable.

While we’re sad to see her go, we couldn’t be happier to see her step into a role that aligns so perfectly with her passion for building a stronger, more connected community.

Thank you, Rhonda, for everything you’ve given to United Way, to our team, and to Peterborough. We can’t wait to see all the incredible things you’ll accomplish next. Please join us in congratulating Rhonda!

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After nearly nine years with United Way Peterborough & District, we’re saying goodbye (but not really goodbye) to Rhonda Gilchrist as she begins an exciting new chapter as Executive Director of The Mount Community Centre. Rhonda has been a steady hand, a fierce advocate, a problem solver, and a champion for this community in every sense of the word.

For those of us lucky enough to work alongside her, we’ll miss her wisdom, her humour, the stories of her beloved pets, her unwavering dedication, and her ability to somehow make even the most challenging days feel manageable.

While we’re sad to see her go, we couldn’t be happier to see her step into a role that aligns so perfectly with her passion for building a stronger, more connected community.

Thank you, Rhonda, for everything you’ve given to United Way, to our team, and to Peterborough. We can’t wait to see all the incredible things you’ll accomplish next. Please join us in congratulating Rhonda!

This #ThankfulThursday, we`re sending a huge shoutout to all our Day of Caring sponsors! 📣✨

These incredible businesses are helping make #Peterborough and County a better place to live and we couldn`t be more grateful for their partnership.

➡️ Interested in being part of Day of Caring? Send us a message to dayofcaring@uwpeterborough.ca to learn how you can get involved!

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This #ThankfulThursday, we're sending a huge shoutout to all our Day of Caring sponsors! 📣✨

These incredible businesses are helping make #Peterborough and County a better place to live and we couldn't be more grateful for their partnership.

➡️ Interested in being part of Day of Caring? Send us a message to dayofcaring@uwpeterborough.ca to learn how you can get involved!

🍎 THEY’RE BACK! 🍎

A great educator can change the course of a life.

They stay after class. They cheer students on. They build confidence, spark curiosity, and help young people discover what they’re capable of.

This year, say “thank you” in a way that gives back.

Our Thank an Educator certificates are back and available now! When you make a $25 donation to United Way Peterborough & District’s Backpacks for Success program, we’ll send a personalized digital certificate (you get to choose from 4 options) for an educator of your choice, letting them know they’ve been honoured in recognition of the difference they’ve made in local students lives.

It’s a meaningful way to celebrate a teacher, EA, principal, ECE, coach, or mentor while helping local students head back to school with the supplies they need to succeed.

✨ Honour an educator
🎒 Support local students
❤️ Create a lasting impact

Because the people who help students succeed deserve to be celebrated.

Link in bio!

#ThankAnEducator #BackpacksForSuccess

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🍎 THEY’RE BACK! 🍎

A great educator can change the course of a life.

They stay after class. They cheer students on. They build confidence, spark curiosity, and help young people discover what they’re capable of.

This year, say “thank you” in a way that gives back.

Our Thank an Educator certificates are back and available now! When you make a $25 donation to United Way Peterborough & District’s Backpacks for Success program, we’ll send a personalized digital certificate (you get to choose from 4 options) for an educator of your choice, letting them know they’ve been honoured in recognition of the difference they’ve made in local students lives.

It’s a meaningful way to celebrate a teacher, EA, principal, ECE, coach, or mentor while helping local students head back to school with the supplies they need to succeed.

✨ Honour an educator
🎒 Support local students
❤️ Create a lasting impact

Because the people who help students succeed deserve to be celebrated.

Link in bio!

#ThankAnEducator #BackpacksForSuccess

[Part 3/3] If you`ve been following along, here are the remaining agencies supported through our Agency Capacity Fund! 🌟

➡️ From 2026–2029, 20 funded partners will receive a total of $75,000 over three years. This annual investment of $500,000 into local social service organizations provides flexible operational funding, improving stability within the non-profit sector.

The Agency Capacity Fund is the largest funding stream within our new impact model, supporting organizations that are making a difference across #Peterborough and county every day.

Stay up to date on United Way Peterborough & District`s work and upcoming funding opportunities by following us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

🤳 Visit uwpeterborough.ca/partner-agencies/ for the full list

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[Part 3/3] If you've been following along, here are the remaining agencies supported through our Agency Capacity Fund! 🌟

➡️ From 2026–2029, 20 funded partners will receive a total of $75,000 over three years. This annual investment of $500,000 into local social service organizations provides flexible operational funding, improving stability within the non-profit sector.

The Agency Capacity Fund is the largest funding stream within our new impact model, supporting organizations that are making a difference across #Peterborough and county every day.

Stay up to date on United Way Peterborough & District's work and upcoming funding opportunities by following us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

🤳 Visit uwpeterborough.ca/partner-agencies/ for the full list

[Part 2/3] 📣 United Way Peterborough & District is proud to support 20 agencies through our Agency Capacity Fund! Funded partners will receive a total of $75,000 over three years from 2026-2029. This annual investment of $500,000 into local social service organizations provides flexible operational funding, improving stability within the non-profit sector.

🔗 To see our full list of partner agencies, please visit: uwpeterborough.ca/partner-agencies/

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[Part 2/3] 📣 United Way Peterborough & District is proud to support 20 agencies through our Agency Capacity Fund! Funded partners will receive a total of $75,000 over three years from 2026-2029. This annual investment of $500,000 into local social service organizations provides flexible operational funding, improving stability within the non-profit sector.

🔗 To see our full list of partner agencies, please visit: uwpeterborough.ca/partner-agencies/

June is National Indigenous History Month.

We honour First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples: their histories, cultures, and ongoing leadership.

As a network, we have deepened our engagement by inviting network-wide individual and collective reflection, and we continue to reflect on our commitment to reconciliation.

#IndigenousHistoryMonth

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June is National Indigenous History Month.

We honour First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples: their histories, cultures, and ongoing leadership.

As a network, we have deepened our engagement by inviting network-wide individual and collective reflection, and we continue to reflect on our commitment to reconciliation.

#IndigenousHistoryMonth

[Part 1/3] United Way Peterborough & District is proud to support 20 agencies through our Agency Capacity Fund! ✨️Funded partners will receive a total of $75,000 over three years from 2026-2029.✨️ This annual investment of $500,000 into local social service organizations provides flexible operational funding, improving stability within the non-profit sector.

👉️ The Agency Capacity Fund is the largest stream within our new Impact Model. Stay tuned for updates on how we will allocate up to $300,000 for the first cycle of our Priority Issues Fund, which will support the advancement of Reconciliation, Equity, Accessibility, Diversity, and Inclusion (READI) work across the community. We’ll also be announcing the recipients of our Neighbourhood Fund early this summer, and in the fall, we’ll be working to determine our research and social planning agenda.

📲 Find our full list of partner agencies on our website: uwpeterborough.ca/partner-agencies/

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[Part 1/3] United Way Peterborough & District is proud to support 20 agencies through our Agency Capacity Fund! ✨️Funded partners will receive a total of $75,000 over three years from 2026-2029.✨️ This annual investment of $500,000 into local social service organizations provides flexible operational funding, improving stability within the non-profit sector.

👉️ The Agency Capacity Fund is the largest stream within our new Impact Model. Stay tuned for updates on how we will allocate up to $300,000 for the first cycle of our Priority Issues Fund, which will support the advancement of Reconciliation, Equity, Accessibility, Diversity, and Inclusion (READI) work across the community. We’ll also be announcing the recipients of our Neighbourhood Fund early this summer, and in the fall, we’ll be working to determine our research and social planning agenda.

📲 Find our full list of partner agencies on our website: uwpeterborough.ca/partner-agencies/

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2025 Neighbourhood Fund Recipients