| EXETER LAKESHORE |
| TIMES-ADVANCE |
| article |
| New 500 Club seeks to raise $50,000 for community grant program Author of the article: Scott Nixon Published Jul 03, 2025 • 2 minute read EXETER LAKESHORE TIMES-ADVANCE  The South Huron Fund recently announced the 500 Club, which seeks to raise $50,000 in $500 donations to create an ongoing fund for the distribution of community grants. Pictured from left are South Huron advisory committee members Dave Frayne and Mary Peterson with chair Laura Goulding. Photo by Scott Nixon /jpg, LA, apsmc EXETER – There’s a new way for local residents to have a say in how local dollars are donated in the community. The South Huron Community Fund’s newly created 500 Club seeks to raise $50,000 from donations of $500. The first 100 who donate will become founding members of the South Huron 500 Club, and once that $50,000 goal is reached, members will vote on where funds will be donated each year. “It is in perpetuity,” South Huron advisory committee chair Laura Goulding said of the fund. “It’s a sustainable way of ensuring that our not-for-profits, our events, our community groups are funded annually.” To reach the $50,000 goal, 100 donors would be needed, and Goulding recently told the Times-Advance the group has so far received 15 donations. “It’s a great start for us,” she said, “but I think the big thing is, we want to make sure that people are aware there is a way of supporting long-term change in our community that will be there for generations to come.” The South Huron Community Fund falls under the umbrella of the Sunset Community Foundation, along with the Greater Grand Bend Community Fund. South Huron advisory committee member Mary Peterson said the group held several discussions before ultimately deciding on the 500 Club, which was launched at the group’s recent awards ceremony, where $14,000 in grants from the South Huron Fund was distributed to local groups. Grants this year went to a variety of recipients in the community, including non-profits, the arts, education, the environment, health care, youth, seniors and more. Goulding said growing the endowment will mean the group can increase its annual grants. “It was picked up on right away,” she said of the idea for the new 500 Club. “The response from the group that was there was, I think, a resounding ‘Yes, we want to participate,’ which we were all happy to see.” Peterson said a $500 donation is more attainable for some to participate in, as opposed to larger family funds that are also part of the South Huron Fund. There is no deadline to reach the $50,000 goal, but Goulding said the quicker they do, the more funds they can donate to the community annually. Goulding said the committee is well rounded, with members coming from all walks of life, which Peterson said provides for a variety of perspectives when the group decides where to direct grants. Committee member David Frayne said the group hopes its grants are used as seed money that non-profit groups can build on. “And we like to see partnerships,” Peterson said, “because partnerships make a community a lot stronger.” Those interested in donating to the 500 Club can do so by visiting sunsetcommunityfoundation.ca, where an online form can be completed. Donors will receive a tax receipt. Grant requests can also be made through the website. “It is a great way of giving back,” Goulding said. “I think we’re all looking to leave a bit of a legacy.” |
https://www.lakeshoreadvance.com/news/new-500-club-seeks-to-raise-50000-for-community-grant-program