www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, January 28, 2016 | 8 Improved Oakville Community Foundation grant application deadline Feb. 5 The Oakville Community Foundation (OCF) is now accepting applications for its Vital Community Grants (formerly Community Fund). The Oakville Community Foundation's annual community grant-making program addresses the highest priority needs, as outlined in the OCF's 2015 Vital Signs report. "We don't do this alone, however, we are incredibly thankful to our fund-holders. We have the pleasure each year of working with our fundholders and helping them fund a broad spectrum of important work all across our community," said Wendy Rinella, OCF CEO. Application deadline is Feb. 5 at 11:59 p.m. Last year, OCF granted just under $2 million through the Community Fund, The Ontario Endowment for Children and Youth in Recreation Fund, Oakville Environmental Fund, Athena Scholarship Fund, and the Foundation's Fundholders. It has raised more than $20 million through granting since its inception. "This grant-making process is very exciting as we've made significant changes to our process. These changes come as a result of considerable discussion with charities, along with the release of our 2015 Vital Signs report," said Rinella. "A key stumbling block for charities is the need to raise funds for their operating programs, and charities could not apply for these needs in our process. That's now possible. We've also told charities, if you partner together, you may be eligible for more than double the support." The OCF board also recently established a new, multi-year strategic plan called Building More Effective Philanthropy. "A cornerstone of this plan is a focus on increasing the share of granting dollars to stay local, along with doubling potential funding offered to charities and making it easier for them to access these funds," said OCF board chair Nick Jelinek. "This signifies our intention to help drive significant improvements on these issues." For more information or to apply, visit the OCF's website at www.theocf.org. www.oakville.ca Woodlands Open House Thursday, February 4, 2016 6 8 p.m. Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre, 2302 Bridge Road Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) has had a devastating effect on our woodlands. Most, if not all of the town's 43,000 woodland ash trees are now dead or dying. The town is following best forest management practices to remove dead and dying ash trees to reduce the risk to the public and to help our woodlands regrow. Woodlands and trails, or portions of them, will be temporarily closed as tree removals take place. Join us at the community open house and talk to the experts. Discover how EAB has affected your woodland and learn about its future restoration. For more information and a map of woodland properties in this year's program, visit the Trees and Woodlands page at oakville.ca. For further information or accessibility needs email serviceoakville@oakville.ca or call 905-845-6601. URE D CULT TION AN RECREA PARKS, & Spring er Summ e Guid with us 2016 on Fe ver. ide co See ins DAY MILY ion ATE FA dit CELEBR Build your tra ry 15! brua Pick up your Town of Oakville Parks, Recreation and Culture guide today! Our spring and summer program line-up for all ages and abilities is available at your fingertips via our interactive online guide or pick up your own copy at community centres, seniors centres, libraries, pools, arenas and Town Hall. Registration opens: Residents: February 6 at 9 a.m. Seniors Services: February 16 at 9 a.m. March Break camp and program registration is now open! To register online, you will need a family PIN and personal ID number. Please visit oakville.ca to create your registration account and to learn more about our wide range of registered and drop-in programs. E CULTUR ts ENCE en EXPERI e special ev ! er Uniqu summ place all p. 1 taking KVILLE 2016 OA STIVALr EN'S FE r fo calenda rk! CHILDR Pa k your Mar nation at Coro July 10 p. 2 LINE ER ON REGISTts: February 6 March Residen February 16 Seniors: now open! Break e.ca oakvill