Waterloo Region – Nineteen community organizations across Waterloo Region will receive a combined $90,000 through the Region of Waterloo’s Community Environmental Fund in 2026 to advance local projects focused on environmental stewardship, climate resilience, sustainability education and green space.

This funding program helps local organizations deliver projects that make lasting improvements to the environment, while creating opportunities for residents to get involved, learn new skills and strengthen connections in their neighbourhoods. This year’s projects include naturalization efforts, pollinator habitats, climate risk mapping, cooling supports for vulnerable residents, school greening, food-growing initiatives and waste diversion programming.

Since Regional Council established the fund in 2011, the Community Environmental Fund has helped local groups deliver projects that support environmental sustainability and community well-being across Waterloo Region.

“The Community Environmental Fund directly supports the Climate Aligned Growth priority in our Strategic Plan, which aims to steward our natural environment and shared resources as our community grows,” said Karen Redman, Chair of the Region of Waterloo. “This year’s recipients reflect the creativity and commitment of community partners working to make Waterloo Region more sustainable, resilient and connected. Congratulations to all of the 2026 grant recipients.”

The successful 2026 grant recipients have projects located across rural communities and urban neighbourhoods, including:

Adventure4Change | Sewing and Textile Diversion Pilot Project – seeks funds to undertake a three-month, community-led textile diversion pilot using the existing Basadi’s Sewing program as a foundation | Amount - $6,500

RMOW Housing Services | A/C for People Experiencing Homelessness Project – seeks funds to purchase portable air conditioning units at the 139 University Avenue building, owned by Regional Housing, for tenants most impacted by heat stress | Amount - $7,000

Waterloo Wellington Science and Engineering Fair | This annual fair for students in Grades 7 to 12 seeks funds to support this event, which brings together the best of young scientific minds in our community. The 2027 fair theme will work towards Goal 15 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, “Life on Land,” and students will be expected to develop projects and displays covering various topics | Amount - $1,600

Ismaili Council for Southwest Ontario | Ismaili Sustainability Initiative Project – seeks funds to install bike racks, start a “caring for nature” curriculum for Ismaili children, and naturalize spaces at their gathering space in Kitchener | Amount - $3,000

University of Waterloo – Global Environmental Measurement and Monitoring | Mapping Local Climate Risk Project – seeks funds for a demonstration project that uses air quality monitoring technology to undertake six mobile scans across seasons in Waterloo Region to produce a regional heat, air quality, and greenhouse gas emission risk map | Amount - $6,400

Sustainable Waterloo Region | Waterloo Region Climate Fest 2026 Event – seeks funds to support a one-day outdoor community environment festival in September 2026. This family-friendly event aims to bridge the gap between art, music, climate solutions, and sustainability skills | Amount - $4,000

University of Waterloo – Engineering (River Hydraulics Research Group) | UW Campus Living Lab Project – seeks funds to expand the UW Living Laboratory project by purchasing instruments and signage to measure and monitor urban drainage and stormwater management on campus | Amount - $7,000

Community Healthcaring KW | Urban Oasis: Food and Climate Project – seeks funds to expand local food production through an urban community garden and the “pay what you can” food market. The project will also deliver accessible, micro public education sessions on food insecurity, housing instability, gardening skills, and other topics | Amount - $4,000

Waterloo Wellington Children’s Groundwater Festival (WWCGF) | In partnership with more than 20 organizations, the WWCGF engages more than 5,000 elementary students, 200 high school students, and 600 volunteers each year about water conservation, sustainability, and other water resource issues. The festival is seeking funds to implement a circular economy initiative to reduce waste and lower the environmental footprint of the event | Amount - $5,000

RMOW Public Health | Beat the Heat Cool Kits Project – seeks funds to purchase, assemble, and distribute cooling kits to priority populations in Waterloo Region during extreme heat events | Amount - $7,000

Brown’s Community Park Committee | Greening and Naturalizing Oakwoods Park Project – seeks funds to transform an unused playing field in Oakwoods Park through a naturalization re-visioning plan for the park | Amount - $5,000

Hospice Waterloo Region | Pollinator Garden Project – seeks funds to expand the pollinator garden that received Community Environmental Fund grant funding in 2025. The expanded scope of the garden project will include a contemplative, interactive area for grief and bereavement programs | Amount - $3,000

Forest Heights Hydrocorridor Pollinators | Hydrocorridor Native Pollinator Habitat Project – seeks funds to transform an underutilized section of hydro corridor in Forest Heights into a biodiverse native pollinator garden | Amount - $4,000

Cambridge Food Bank | Living Landscapes – Franklin Boulevard Pollinator Project – seeks funds to transform its outdoor space into a naturalized landscape and pollinator habitat, in partnership with RARE and Bee City Cambridge programs | Amount - $6,000

KW Habilitation | Raised Garden Bed Rejuvenation Project – seeks funds to rebuild accessible raised beds to grow vegetables for KW Habilitation clients, interns, volunteers, staff, and community members | Amount - $2,000

Township of Woolwich Environmental Enhancement Committee (TWEEC) | Schaner Park Naturalization Project – seeks funds to rejuvenate Schaner Park in St. Jacobs with pollinator gardens, identification labels, an extended stone dust path, and armour stone | Amount - $6,500

Township of Wellesley | Wellesley Road Side Tree Planting Project – seeks funds to expand its roadside tree planting initiative that began in 2025 in partnership with REEP Green Solutions | Amount - $5,000

Waterloo Region Community Garden Network | Soil Improvements for the Petersburg Community Garden Project – seeks funds to improve farming practices and soil quality at the Petersburg Community Garden by purchasing manure. This garden is estimated to assist 80 families in growing organic food in 2026 | Amount - $4,000

Waterloo Catholic District School Board | Mini-Forest Initiative Project – seeks funds to implement Phase 1, including soil preparation and mini-forest plantings, of a multi-year school greening project across the WCDSB community | Amount - $3,000

Learn more about the Community Environmental Fund.

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