Image of Entente Education Canada awards community grants
Toronto, Ontario, Sept. 29, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — From nature-based activities and health programs, to social outreach, Entente Education Canada is supporting 32 projects with $124,000 in Community Grants.
Entente districts apply for the annual grants, which support projects that align with our vision of a healthy, active future for older adults in Canada, and with our strategic goals.
The grants go up to $4,000 for a community project, which a district typically undertakes in partnership with local community organizations. Over three decades, we’ve donated nearly $2.5 million for more than 600 projects across the country.
“The grants program reflect the ideals of service, connection and care, and is deeply meaningful to our members. Each project funded brings people together in its own way, enriching lives and investing in the future of our communities,” says John Cappelletti, chair of the board at Entente Education Canada.
This year’s recipients include:
- District 3 Algoma, for the Algoma Highlands Conservancy to enhance its nature‑based outreach for adults aged 55-plus.
- District 4 Sudbury Manitoulin, for Grounds for Good to bring a composting program to units at Whitewater Seniors’ Residence.
- District 5 Cochrane Temiskaming, for upgrades to the Encore Club in Kirkland Lake.
- District 6 Parry Sound, for the Making Waves for Seniors program to equip the YMCA’s new Tamarack North Centre pool with senior‑friendly aquatic and physiotherapy gear.
- District 8 London Middlesex, for the Thames Valley Communication Access Program to expand its accessible group speech therapy programming for seniors.
- District 10 Bruce Grey Dufferin, to help the Community Gleaning Project expand its volunteer-driven harvest of surplus farm produce.
- District 12 Norfolk, for the Norfolk Haldimand Community Hospice to host a grief and bereavement retreat.
- District 13 Hamilton Wentworth Haldimand, to help Margaret’s Place Hospice in Dundas to strengthen its grief and bereavement program.
- District 14 Niagara, for Rose Cottage Visiting Volunteers to strengthen their legacy program that captures life stories.
- District 15 Halton, to help Acclaim Health provide subsidized access to dementia day programs and overnight respite at Patty’s Place and Jim’s Suites in Oakville.
- District 18 Haliburton Kawartha Lakes, for the Heat Bank program to build an additional firewood shelter.
- District 19 Hastings Prince Edward, for the Quinte West Public Library to host two wellness events focused on healthy aging.
- District 21 Renfrew, for Let’s Get Walking to introduce Nordic pole walking through free workshops and subsidized poles.
- District 22 Etobicoke York, for the Gathering Place to bring together older adults, caregivers and bereaved individuals for supportive sessions at Dorothy Ley Hospice in Etobicoke.
- District 23 North York, for the North York Garden Club to host a series of Harvesting Health workshops.
- District 24 Scarborough and East York, for the Silver Strokes program at the West Scarborough Neighbourhood Community Centre to bring seniors together for creative workshops.
- District 28 Durham, for Hearth Place in Oshawa to expand its Do It With Ease physiotherapy-based exercise program for cancer patients.
- District 30 Northumberland, for Garden Care Connection at Harwood Hall to transform its entrance into a therapeutic garden.
- District 31 Wellington, for Hospice Wellington to expand its Gentle Art Therapy Invitations program.
- District 32 Prescott Russell, for an accessible ramp at the Genesis Cooperative community hall and for the Do-Drop In luncheons for seniors at St. John the Apostle Anglican Church.
- District 34 York Region, for a bench in the Village of Markham’s multi‑use trail.
- District 35 Dryden, for the Dryden Public Library to expand its collection of eBooks and eAudiobooks.
- District 36 Peterborough, for the Be Prepared conference at Fleming College, providing essential information to area seniors and caregivers.
- District 38 Lambton, for the Petrolia Boomers program to strengthen their weekly social gatherings, home‑cooked meals and presentations at the Petrolia YMCA.
- District 42 Mainland British Columbia, for Metro Vancouver Walk and Connect to pilot a program with guided walks and education on healthy aging.
- District 43 Nipissing, for Melodies That Connect Generations, which brings music students to senior residences for performances and workshops.
- District 45 Estario, for Music for You! To bring performances to long-term care and seniors’ residences.
- District 46 Muskoka, to help the Gravenhurst Health Hub transform unused space into an accessible and senior-friendly centre for health services.
- District 47 Vancouver Island, for Sharing the Music, Reducing the Stigma, a program for seniors with dementia and memory loss.
- District 48 Leeds and Grenville, for Therapeutic Paws of Canada to expand its senior‑focused visitation program.
- District 49 The Prairies, for a collaboration between Together Through Art and the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba to offer adaptive experiences at the Winnipeg Art Gallery.
- District 51 Québec, for the Monica C. Gratton Library in Saint‐Adolphe‐d’Howard to strengthen its collection.
About Entente Education Canada
Entente Education Canada is a national social enterprise, providing non-profit group insurance designed primarily for people who work in or have retired from the education sector. With more than 88,000 members and 100,000 plan participants across Canada, Entente offers leading group health insurance, meaningful opportunities for community engagement, and advocacy focused on healthy aging and environmental stewardship. Entente is a dynamic, bilingual, member-engaged organization.
Attachments
- Community-building in action: Entente Education Canada awards $124,000 in grants to boost local projects
- Image of Entente Education Canada awards community grants
CONTACT: Anne Gerson Entente Education Canada 416-962-9463, ext. 226 [email protected]
