Community Grants Committee

• Review and consider annual submissions for the Terence Haight Financial Endowment Program for community groups and organizations that serve the residents of the Town of Gravenhurst;
• Review and consider annual submissions for Community Improvement Plan (CIP) grants for Town of Gravenhurst businesses and residences within the established Community Improvement Project area, as per Schedule “A” to By-law No. 2021-101; and,
• Review and consider submissions for grants or financial assistance applied to the Town of Gravenhurst.

The Committee shall refer to the policies and criteria that govern the Terence Haight Fund and CIP while reviewing application submissions and provide recommendations to Council regarding identified recipients.

Tax Increment grants or Development Charges grants through the CIP shall require a recommendation to Council for awarding.

His father, a newspaper pressman, moved the young family to Bracebridge for the beauty of the area and clean air. Terence, along with his 3 brothers and 1 sister, loved the outdoors, swimming, canoeing, snowshoeing and skiing. They also helped tend their father's vegetable garden, hunted and trapped.

As a young man, Mr. Haight ran a bakery in nearby Bracebridge, and the tourist establishments in Gravenhurst always gave him plenty of business. Eventually marrying a Gravenhurst woman named Audrey McDonald, they moved 2 hours away to North Bay, ON where he worked in a hardware store. After Audrey died, Terence relocated to New Liskeard, ON.

Mr. Haight was a private, yet very much community-minded person. Although he helped many causes in his community of New Liskeard, ON, he did not seek attention, preferring to donate in a discreet, charitable manner.

What his friends & neighbours did not know was that he had invested in mining stocks and quietly accumulated a small fortune. To everyone's surprise, he donated over $ 1 million dollars to the Town of Gravenhurst.

Why did Terence Haight choose Gravenhurst?

We know he had a great appreciation for Gravenhurst during the time he ran his bakery, but more importantly his wife Audrey McDonald grew up in the Town at 22 David St. East. She was the daughter of John McDonald, a lumberman. Terence chose to be laid to rest in Gravenhurst. He was buried beside his wife in Lakeview Cemetery, December 2008.

"Terrence Haight was a leader and a visionary and would rather have seen his lifetime savings used for a long term vision rather than just providing a short term solution." - Pastor, Father John Lemire.

In October 2011, a public dedication ceremony took place in Gravenhurst honouring Mr. Haight's memory and contributions to the Town. Additional to the 1 million dollar gift to the Town, he left portions to a hospital, the Salvation Army and his parish.

After a number of suggestions from Gravenhurst residents as to how the Town should manage the financial gift left by Mr. Haight, Council decided on establishing an annual Grant program in which local organizations could put forth applications. This grant is known today as The Terence Haight Financial Assistance Program.

Sources: Adrian Morrow, The Globe and Mail August. 12, 2011; Jessica Hume, National Post, August 8, 2011; Rotary Club of Gravenhurst; Town of Gravenhurst

Resource: About Terence Haight (PDF)

The Terms are jointly developed and approved by Council, and can change as the nature of the work of Council evolves.
View the Community Grants Committee Terms of Reference.

Agendas and Minutes for this Committee's meetings can be viewed within our Council Calendar when posted.

If you wish to speak at a meeting, visit our Information and Special Request Page.

For more information on Schedules, Agendas and Minutes, please contact the Deputy Clerk/Committee Coordinator.

Applications for this year's grants are now being accepted

• Terence Haight 2023 Grant Application Form 
• 2022 Post Grant Evaluation Form

View Current and Past Recipients on our Awards, Grants and Incentives Page.

For more information on Applying for a CIP Grant or related resources view our Community Improvement Plan page.

Current and Past Recipients