North Grenville announces new community fund, calls for EDI advisory committee applications

On July 15, 2024, The Municipality of North Grenville announced the establishment of the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Fund, initiated by the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Advisory Committee. 

The municipality is now calling upon residents and local organizations to apply for funding, which will support initiatives that promote EDI values within their community as part of a larger 10-year community strategic plan. 

The EDI Fund will offer up to $3,000 per application, with an annual allotment of $15,000. The fund is dedicated to supporting individuals and organizations committed to advancing EDI principles and fostering a sustainable inclusive community for everyone in North Grenville.

This fund was inspired by and modelled off the recently established Municipal Arts and Culture Fund, which has enabled small-scale, affordable and innovative initiatives that enrich our community. 

Brockvilleist spoke with North Grenville Mayor Nancy Peckford to hear more about this exciting announcement. “About a year and a half ago, we established an EDI Advisory Committee and through the course of conversations, it became apparent that perhaps members of the community might benefit from a fund that would support them in convening events or sharing information in new or different ways. It would allow us to amplify community leaders”

She continued, “It wasn’t a huge budget allocation but a little bit of money can go a long way when it’s in the right hands. This is an application process where people can propose certain things like multicultural fairs or youth-oriented events for those who identify in the EDI network.”

For those interested and eligible to apply, application forms are available at www.northgrenville.ca/equity or you can pick up a hard copy at the North Grenville Municipal Centre in Kemptville. The deadline for submission is Friday, August 30th, 2024, at 5:00 pm. Peckford expressed, “We look forward to receiving applications from those in the community because they will know best what might work given their own lived experience.”

The Municipality of North Grenville has also put out a public appeal for talented and dedicated members of the community to apply for the council-appointed Equity Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee. This application would be for the 2022-2026 term of Council.

Mayor Peckford understands that many people are hesitant to join these types of committees for fear of the time commitment. Still, she reiterates that this particular committee only meets once a month. “We have a great core group now but we recognize that not every voice within the EDI community is currently represented.”

Peckford told Brockvilleist, “We’re looking for individuals who have lived experiences, whether they are minorities, not just a visible minority but anyone who considers themselves to be a minority or whose representation hasn’t been as strong. We’re very open and really what the committee is interested in is the lived experience of that person and what’s leading them to want to apply.”

To learn more and apply online, visit https://www.northgrenville.ca/council-government/council/committees. Hard copies of the application for the EDI Advisory Committee form can be picked up from the Kemptville Municipal Office and/or the North Grenville Public Library Main Branch. Applications must be submitted online or dropped off in hard copy to the Municipal Clerk, North Grenville Municipal Office, PO Box 130, 285 on County Road 44 in Kemptville.