November 2022

Rob Dickson, Chair of the Grants Policy Working Group, says the new and much larger Category C grants have the potential to be a game-changer for smaller dioceses. “The opportunity to submit a $50,000 grant request is well-suited to a diocese that may have the capacity to bring only one project per year, but a transformational project the entire diocese can rally around.”

“The Board had originally authorized $100,000 for the RFP, thanks to a generous bequest AFC received earlier this year to support Indigenous Ministries. However, during the grant review process it became clear that we needed to release a greater amount from this bequest to support these worthy projects.”

“This year, the Grants Policy Working Group undertook a major review of our granting policies in light of the Board’s desire to provide greater impact and to drive transformational ministry across the Canadian Church,” says Dr. Scott Brubacher, Executive Director. The resulting recommendations focus on three key areas.

Many of the children in the program were struggling with ADHD, anxiety, depression, family illness, divorce and understanding their gender and sexual identity. Sandra Clarke says, “Our team did their best to create a non-judgemental environment where all the children could benefit, feel included and supported in their choices.”

Emily Fontana says percussion was a good starting point because the instruments, thanks to their accessibility and shareability, are ideal for group participation and experimentation. “Right now, we are going by instinct and being highly responsive to where the kids want to go with this. My job is to make a safe happy space where these children can grow and achieve things.”