Ontario, Canada (CU)_ Commonwell Mutual Insurance Group has announced a new charity financing program in response to the financial problems endured by local community projects in Ontario during the past two years of the COVID-19 outbreak. L.E.A.F. – Learning and Engagement Accelerator Fund is the name of Commonwell Mutual’s latest endeavor. The insurer will grant a total of $1 million to 21 community initiatives within the insurer’s service areas of Eastern, Central, and Western Ontario.
Tim Shauf, president and CEO of Commonwell Mutual Insurance Group, spoke about the application process for the project. He said, “We were overwhelmed with over 120 applications requesting over $5 Million for this inaugural year of L.E.A.F. Fund grants. We couldn’t think of a more important way to give back to our communities than by supporting these important local causes that give residents food, exercise, education and entertainment.”
According to Commonwell Mutual, the 21 community projects were chosen following an online nomination and application procedure which was held in December 2021. Among the projects to be funded by the insurer are the construction of a new skatepark in Alexandria; the installation of a community fridge in Innisfil for the public to get safe, fresh food; the implementation of a STEM-aligned touch screen device in a Parry Sound library; and the establishment of a career preparation and training facility in Port Elgin, to name a few.
Commonwell Mutual introduced “SEEDit” last year, awarding $50 SEEDit certificates to 2,000 Ontario households each to spend on fruit and vegetable plants and seeds at the province’s 19 garden centers. The initiative was created to address food insecurity, and Commonwell Mutual urged users to pay it forward by donating excess vegetables to local food banks or neighbors in need as part of the program.
