By: Michael Bennett, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Ridgetown Independent News
Several Ridgetown and East Kent organizations and facilities are recommended for funding from the 2026 Together CK Grant program.
A total of 66 applicants were selected to share in the $375,000 available in this year’s funding.
The Together CK Grant review committee presented their report to Council at Monday night’s meeting for approval.
Grants are provided in three categories – Community Projects, Community Events and Significant Events.
The review committee recommended five local applicants for approval in the Community Projects category.
The Ridgetown & District Horticultural Society was approved to receive $8,022 for its community garden restructuring and optimization project.
The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 243 was recommended for $6,775 for its ‘Renewing The Heart of Br. 243’ project.
The Erie Street United Church is looking at a $2,622 grant for air conditioners in its community hall.
The Duart Community Hall was recommended for an $8,022 grant for its stage and storage product.
The Friends of the Bothwell Catholic Cemetery is poised to receive $4,438 for its walking with history project.
The review committee recommended funding for 22 Community Projects.
Four local events were among the 39 successful candidates for Community Events’ funding, pending the Council’s final approval at Monday’s meeting.
The East Kent Celebrates Committee is recommended for a $4,522 grant for its summer concert series.
The Ridgetown & Area Adult Activity Centre can expect a $4,050 grant for its 5W’s event.
The Ridgetown BIA is recommended to receive a $4,022 grant for its Canada Day Weekend celebration.
The Bothwell Royal Canadian Legion Branch 252 is recommended to receive $3,522 for its 100th anniversary celebration.
The review committee approved five organizations to receive major funding under the Significant Event category.
The Thamesville Threshing Festival Inc. is one of the organizations poised to receive funding, as the review committee is recommending $20,022 for its 2026 event, with the theme
‘Honouring The Past, Measuring The Future,’ scheduled for June 19-20 in Ferguson Park.
Chatham-Kent Crowfest is recommended for a $22,522 grant, while the Dresden Sidestreets Youth Centre (Dresden Night Market), Historic Downtown Chatham BIA (Retrofest) and Wallaceburg Antique Motor & Boating Outing are all in line for $20,022 in funding.
A total of 80 applications were submitted for the 2026 Together CK grant program during the intake period of Oct. 27 to Nov. 30, 2025.
A total of 13 applications were deemed ineligible under the Together CK Guidelines.
One organization withdrew their application from funding consideration.
Nine applicants to the Significant Event stream were reassigned to the Community Events category.
Since the program was launched 25 years ago, Together CK has supported 443 events and 548 projects.
