CFGW Sunshine
About the Foundation


Hands PolaroidOur Vision

A community where every child and youth has the opportunity to participate, learn, and grow to reach their full potential. 

Our Mission

We empower children and youth by connecting families with opportunities to build hope for lifelong change and break the cycle of poverty.

Building Brighter Futures

The Children’s Foundation of Guelph and Wellington is a local organization helping local families. Life can be challenging when there is barely enough money to cover basic human essentials like housing and proper nutrition. For many families in Guelph and Wellington the reality is that they have 'just barely enough' to look after their basic needs. We also know that for many families in our community, 'just barely enough' seems like a luxury.

Life is also an opportunity. Positive and rewarding experiences during key developmental years in childhood and adolescence can shape a child's future and help break cycles of hardship. Together with our donors, volunteers and community partners we find opportunities in the hard times so that we can help each child grow, explore and unleash their great potential. We invest in children today through our four programs: Adopt-A-Family, Food & Friends, Free to Grow and Scholarships to build brighter futures tomorrow.

More than 3,000 volunteers work with the Foundation in one way or another. To best serve our community, the CFGW works closely with social service agencies, local municipalities, school boards and other organizations. 

Your support of the Children’s Foundation of Guelph and Wellington is an investment in the health and future of our community, an investment in brighter futures.

In our world, opportunity outshines hardship every time.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

As an organization committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), the Children’s Foundation of Guelph and Wellington acknowledges the barriers that marginalized groups face, particularly when navigating social structures. As an organization, we are highly committed to creating a welcoming organization and community where everyone not only receives the necessary support they need to feel a sense of safety and belonging but to also celebrate and thrive.

All our staff have continual Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion education and some staff members have Naloxone, Basic American Sign Language (ASL), and Mental Health and Crisis Intervention Training.

We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free environment for everyone by adhering to the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). As such, we provide accommodations as needed as we strive to make our spaces accessible, inclusive, and safe for everyone.

If there is anything you would like us to know prior to your visit, we welcome you to contact Megan Harron at megan@childrensfoundation.org or 519-826-9551 x129, or by informing the staff member you are coming to visit.

Land Acknowledgment

The Children’s Foundation recognizes the unique status of Indigenous peoples as original inhabitants of the land in which we live and work and understand that our relationship must be rooted in an approach that recognizes this and the impact of colonialism. Our office space is located on the traditional lands of the Haudenosaunee, Anishinabewaki, Attiwonderonk, and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation peoples, under Treaty 3. Our commitment to reconciliation must not stop with a land acknowledgement; we must celebrate Indigenous cultures, learn from Indigenous communities, listen to, and amplify their voices, and most importantly foster equitable practices which put the needs of Indigenous peoples and their communities first.


OLWN CertificateReaders' Choice 2020Readers Choice 21