Expressions of Interest
Expressions of Interest
Directly connecting generosity with community need
The County Foundation works with a variety of donors and fundholders to make impactful gifts to local charities that help address the County’s areas of greatest need. In 2025, we launched a new process for applying to our donor funds where organizations could apply through a simple form with a request for support. The submissions lets donors explore causes and ideas that align with their values and make a difference.
- Your organization must be a Qualified Donee (such as a registered charity) to receive funding from a Donor Advised Fund.
- Must provide programs and services in Prince Edward County.
- Submitting an Expression of Interest does not necessarily mean a request will be funded.
- Organizations & projects can still receive support without submitting an Expression of Interest.
- There may be follow up with additional questions on behalf of the donor.
Submitting a request for support through our Expression of Interest form is meant to be a low-barrier process, so we accept submissions on a rolling basis throughout the year, and send out the submissions quarterly at the end of March, June, September, and beginning of January. This way we don't clog up anyone's inboxes!
- There is no notification process after you apply, so you may not hear from us unless a donor has decided to support your organization, or if there are any additional follow up questions on your request.
- There is no set timeframe for this process. After we send out the information, you might hear from us right away or you could hear from us after a few months.
- Even if a donor does not respond to a specific request, they may choose to direct general support to your organization based on their own giving preferences and timing. This process is still an educational tool for building awareness of your organization's programs and services and the positive impact that you have in the community.
- We will carry forward requests that have not been funded until the end of the year, but if nobody has raised their hand to support the request after the year concludes then it will no longer be shared.
Unmet Need
- Keep your request simple & concise. Think of submitting an Expression of Interest as an elevator pitch for your organization, its mission and activities, and what you need assistance with. This is a brief introduction or request for support so donors can get to know you and your needs. It is not meant to be a full application.
- Request support for something specific & tangible. Consider if you have a specific need in mind when submitting an Expression of Interest such as replacing a key piece of equipment or if you have a particular project in need of support.
- Urgent requests requiring immediate support may not be a fit for this process. As there is no timeline on responses and requests are only sent out quarterly, we might not recommend this process for urgent needs.
- Think of this as going fishing. Ultimately every donor has their own areas that they feel passionately about which may not always align with your organization or its needs and goals. You may not always get a bite, but you might hook someone in enough where they decide they want to learn more.
Success Stories
Authour Visits: Building strong readers, one magical story at a time.
"The County Foundation's Donor Advised Fund (DAF) program is a true gift to Prince Edward County charities and the residents we serve. The application and reporting process, especially when compared to traditional grant programs, is simple and quick - allowing us to devote more of our limited resources to frontline program delivery.
A recent DAF contribution enabled County Kids Read to provide hundreds of Grade 1-6 students at three local schools with fun and engaging visits from visiting Canadian authors. These visits are pure educational magic, providing unique opportunities for authors to inspire and connect local children with the written word and their own creativity.” Andrea Dawes, Executive Director of County Kids Read
Replacement Roof: Raising the roof to keep the arts thriving
“Over the last few years, Baxter Arts Centre has poured any additional income and every possible funding initiative into our exterior renovations ... Last year, shingles that were being blown off in high winds were no longer able to be replaced, they would not stay attached any longer. Our need for a new roof became an emergency situation.
Funding for major projects is very limited in Prince Edward County and we spoke to every person we thought that could help us ... It wasn't until we spoke with The County Foundation that we were able to find hope of support. Through their Donor Advised Funds, we were able to make a plea of our case to those in our community who could make a difference. It helped us secure funds that allowed us to protect our roof and ensure the building could stay open.”
Gabriele Cole, Programs Director of the Baxter Arts Centre
Quality Early-Learning: Expanding childcare options for local families
““The HUB was working with a few options for more child care spaces, and we thought we had one that unfortunately fell through which is when The County Foundation (Dominique Jones) came to our rescue and partnered us with Base31 ... [TCF’s Grants Manager Gillian Armstrong] also reached out to us about their amazing funding dashboard. Within that we were able to apply for the Donor Advised Funds which graciously donated $100,000 to start up The HUB - Base31. The day I got a call from Gillian, I cried, it was all coming together."
Stacey Stanford, Executive Director of the HUB Child & Family Centre
