Eight Outaouais organizations receive funding to support kids’ free play initiatives 

Sophie Demers

The Outaouais Philanthropy Foundation (FPO), a community foundation with the mission to build enthusiastic and lasting communities in the region, has selected eight local organizations to receive funding to support free play through their Free Play Fund. This funding is available thanks to a $473,000 grant from Community Foundations of Canada (CFC).

The fund supports local initiatives that will encourage kids up to age twelve to move, be creative, and learn through free play. The fund aims to help communities remove barriers to play so kids can connect with their environment, their peers, and learn about themselves all while supporting development and the creation of social bonds.

The eight recipient organizations include: Le Centre d’animation familiale de l’Outaouais Inc. in Gatineau, CPE La Bottine de Maniwaki Inc. in Vallée-de-la-Gatineau, La Maison de l’Amitié de Hull, Municipality of Campbell’s Bay, Municipality of Chelsea, Carrefour familial Papineau, Les Partenaires du Secteur Aylmer, and the Chelsea Cooperative Nursery School.

“The FPO believes that balanced representation of the Outaouais region is essential to ensuring a strong and inclusive regional impact. The selected organizations reflect this,” said FPO President, Rock Poulin.

A total of 32 initiatives were submitted during the call for projects. This first round of funding represents phase 1 of the grant.