Community Conservation Grants

Each year, the Grand River Conservation Foundation awards Community Conservation Grants to community groups and elementary schools undertaking conservation projects in communities throughout the Grand River watershed. To be eligible, projects must be located in the Grand River watershed and available for the use or benefit of the entire community and/or for future classroom generations.

Grants of up to $1,000 are available for community groups and up to $750 for elementary schools. Preference is given to greening projects (such as schoolyard naturalizations and other tree and shrub plantings) rather than hardscaping. Community groups must have, or have access to, a registered charitable number. Applicant schools must be located within the Grand River watershed. Private schools, homeschool organizations and secondary schools are not eligible. Your school must ensure that your school board is aware that you are applying for a grant, and your school's Principal or Vice Principal must sign the application.

The 2026 Community Conservation Grant Application are now open. This year's application deadline is Friday May 8, 2026. Our applications are provided in electronic format. Should you require the application in an alternate format, please contact our Administrative Assistant. 

Community Group Application Form

All community groups must have, or have access to, a registered charitable number. Only one application per community group will be accepted.

Elementary Schools Application Form

Applicant schools must be located within the Grand River watershed. Private schools, homeschool organizations and secondary schools are not eligible. Your school must ensure that your school board is aware that you are applying for a grant, and your school's Principal or Vice Principal must sign the application.

Funding for the grants comes from two main sources:

The GRCA's Thiess RiverPrize Endowment Fund. This fund was established in 2000 with the proceeds of the Thiess RiverPrize, which the GRCA won in 2000 for excellence in watershed management.

The GRCF Grand Champions Endowment Fund, established through private donations to support local environmental work.

Successful applicants will be notified in late May 2026. Each year the number of applicants exceeds the amount we are able to grant. We appreciate all applications, however only those applicants who are successful will be notified.

Please note that due to the volume of applications we receive, we are not able to provide specific feedback to unsuccessful applicants. 

2025 Grant Winners

Elementary Schools

• Tait Street Public School - Pollinator Garden
• Prueter Public School - Leafy Lane Learning Space
• Groh Public School - School Sensory Garden
• Central Public School - Kindergarten Revitalization Project
• Taylor Evans Public School - Learning Garden
• Blenheim District Public School - Outdoor Greening Initiative

Community Groups

• Langs Farm Village Association - Staff and Community Garden
• Ruthven Park National Historic Site - Meadow Restoration
• Bethel Stone United Church - Bethel Community Memorial Garden
• The Guelph Enabling Garden - Riverbank Enhancement Project