The 2023 Whitby Mayor’s Gala, which took place on Sept. 9, raised $140,000 which will be used to support organizations and initiatives that make a difference in the community.

The gala is one of two annual fundraisers for the Mayor’s Community Development Fund.

The fund provides support to local groups and initiatives in the community through lead grants of up to $25,000 and community grants of up to $5,000.

The 2023 lead grant recipients for the Mayor’s Gala are Lakeridge Health Foundation, which received a grant of $25,000, and Melly's Place, which received a grant of $15,000.

“I’m delighted that this year’s gala was a success, raising funds to support organizations that make a difference in the lives of Whitby residents,” says Whitby Mayor Elizabeth Roy. “The generous support we received for the gala highlights the community spirit that makes Whitby such an amazing place to live.”

The Mayor’s Community Development Fund is also supported by the annual Mayor and Council Golf Classic.

The 2023 lead grant recipients from the golf tournament are Feed the Need in Durham and Victim Services of Durham Region, which each received $15,000.

So far in 2023, the Mayor’s Community Development Fund has also awarded 27 community grants with a combined value of $83,000.

Recipients include Royal Canadian Legion, Alzheimer Society of Durham Region, We Grow Food, Sunrise Youth Group, and Therapeutic Paws of Canada.

Quick Facts

• Lakeridge Health Foundation will use its $25,000 grant to support the future health care needs of Whitby residents, including a potential new hospital in Durham Region.
• Melly’s Place will use its $15,000 grant to support the “A Part of Life” program, which provides adults who have an intellectual or developmental disability, with individualized training and skill building to help reach their goals.
• Feed the Need in Durham will use its $15,000 grant to help establish a “marketplace model” foodbank in Whitby that will offer evening and/or weekend hours for working families and individuals.  
• Victim Services of Durham Region will use its $15,000 grant to support the new Teen IRL Empowerment and Prevention Program, which will help educate youth in Durham on topics such as violence prevention, healthy relationships, consent, cyber-safety, and human trafficking.

More Resources

• For more information on the Mayor’s Community Development Fund, visit: whitby.ca/en/town-hall/community-development-funds.aspx

For media inquiries please contact:

Office of the Mayor

Jillian Follert, Public Affairs Coordinator, Office of the Mayor
Phone: 289.387.9101; Email: follertj@whitby.ca

Corporate Communications

Erin Mikaluk, Manager, Communications and Creative Services, Town of Whitby
Phone: 289.314.6913; Email: mikaluke@whitby.ca