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Philanthropy

The Grand River Agricultural Society (GRAS) is a not-for-profit organization that owns and operates the Grand River Raceway and The GrandWay Events Centre. Known for its philanthropic contributions to the community through scholarships, community mini-grants and major donations, GRAS is striving to bring agriculture, education, and community together.

AgScape- Connecting in a Virtual Education Environment

In September 2020, schools across Ontario entered a new virtual learning environment. Zoom, Google Meets and YouTube became spaces AgScape had to become versatile in as teachers had a surging demand for interactive and digital resources. Online became the new reality, a reality that AgScape embraced with help from The Grand River Agricultural Society’s (GRAS) philanthropic funding and our shared goals for supporting agriculture engagement and awareness across the province.

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Elora Skatepark

Thanks to the $1,500 GRAS grant, we were able to plant 80mm caliper Pyrmidal Oak trees at the Skatepark in Elora and they look fantastic! Up until these trees were planted the space was looking forgotten and sad unless community members were there, but now the space looks like it is alive and thriving.

Often when projects like this are built, it is the landscaping that cements the project into place giving it a sense of community and thoughtful placement. It is with this that your funding money for this makes this area a success.

View the Community Report

Community Report

For more great stories featuring community recipients of GRAS philanthropic funding visit our community report.

View the Community Report

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Sponsorship Partners

GRAS is proud to have multi year funding arrangements with the following organizations

Our Initiatives

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GRAS Philanthropic Funding Application

The GRAS Philanthropic Committee provides funding to non-profit community groups and initiatives that support agriculture, environmental conservation, and activities that promote improvements in the quality of rural life.

This application form is to receive FINANCIAL support and may also include any additional Gift In-Kind support requests from GRAS. For only GIFT IN-KIND support, please fill out the Gift In-Kind Application Form.

All philanthropic submissions are reviewed on a first-come, first-serve basis. To have an application considered, please submit by the relevant deadline.

Dates & Timelines:

2022 application deadlines:

  • March 31st
  • September 30th

How to apply:

Please complete the online form with all the necessary information required.  Please read all guidelines and processes carefully to ensure you meet our application criteria. If you have any questions or issues, please email Dorothy Key to Dkey@Grandriverag.com.

Application Form
Applications closed

Community Mini Grants

Do you have a project that will benefit our local community? Need financial support for it? Since 2017, GRAS has awarded over $42,000 to over 47 recipients to help bring their projects to life.

Applications closed

Rapid Response for Business Development

We have reached our funding and are now proudly supporting several ag businesses in our community!
Applications will re-open on April 1, 2023.

The Grand River Agricultural Society (GRAS) launched the Rapid Response to Business Development (RRBD) Initiative to support their commitment to impact investing by creating long-term sustainability and fueling innovation in the Agriculture and Environmental sectors. The GRAS RRBD Initiative will provide up to $10,000 to support Ontario-based, agriculture, agri-food and agri-products businesses, as they work with established business connections to advance market opportunities and secure sales for their innovative products, processes or technologies.

Applications closed

GRAS Scholarship Program

The Grand River Agricultural Society (GRAS) established this scholarship program to provide financial assistance to students within our community who are entering or enrolled in a college diploma or university degree, in agriculture and/or environment-related programs.

Applications closed

Gift-In-Kind Requests

Are you a community group or not for profit or charity? Apply to the GRAS philanthropic committee to use one of the many great spaces on site. Are you looking for an event in the 6-acre in-field? Or perhaps need the parking lot… Do you want to host a gala at The GrandWay? Or perhaps have a market in the barn?

This form is to receive GIFT-IN-KIND support from GRAS only. For Gift-In-Kind and financial support, please fill out the Philanthropic Funding Application.

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