The James Elwood Baillie Fund
During his lifetime, James Elwood Baillie was an active member of his United Church community of faith in Ottawa. He believed that the future of the church depended upon the involvement of its young people in ministry and the development of their capacity to take on leadership roles. As such, he felt strongly that young people should be encouraged to participate in the witness of the church in the world and recognized for their many valuable contributions. In response to a generous legacy gift he made through his Will, TUCC created The James Baillie Fund to do just that – celebrate and uplift the many important ways in which youth and young adults (aged 13-35) contribute their energy and talents to the church community and beyond.
Fund Guidelines
The Fund is dedicated to supporting youth and young adults aged 13-35 who are members, adherents, or regular attendees of worship services at the United Church of Canada. It is specifically for individuals in need, who must be recommended by a congregation or community of faith. The Fund’s financial support can be used for a variety of purposes, including:
- Courses and Training: Funding for courses on biblical studies, life skills, or parenting.
- Camping Sponsorships: Financial support for attending camps offered by any UCC camp within the regions served by TUCC.
- Basic Necessities: Accessing food and clothing from food/clothing banks operated by the UCC where possible.
- Educational Support: Scholarships or bursaries for technical/trade courses or college education. (Note: Those seeking funds for university tuition/courses are not eligible for this funding. However, university students may be eligible for funding to attend Church related events or trainings. Please include details in your application).
Applications for 2026 are now closed. Applications for 2027 will be open between January 2nd and February 15th, 2027. Up to twelve grants of $1,000 per youth/young adult are available each year. Grant recipients will be advised in March/April.
The full criteria for grant recipients and application requirements can be found HERE. Grant applications can be completed online.
Previous Grant Recipients
- 2026: Five needs-based grants were awarded.
- 2025: Seven needs-based grants were awarded.
- 2024: Six needs-based grants were awarded.
- 2022/2023/2024/2025: Rosedale, Bloor Street, and Fairlawn Avenue United Church to support youth attending Gibimishkaadimin, a project of reconciliation engaging Indigenous youth from across Canada and non-Indigenous youth from Shining Waters Regional Council area.
For more information contact Janice Meighan, Director of Fundraising and Donor Care, at janice@tucc.ca or (905) 771-5124 ex. 22.
The Lillian Massey-Treble Fund - Open Only to Communities of Faith in the City of Toronto
The Lillian Massey-Treble Fund came under the care of TUCC in 2012 and is rooted in the heartfelt generosity of Lillian Frances Massey-Treble (1854-1915). The founder of the Lillian Massey School of Household Science and Art, Lillian was profoundly concerned for the well-being of families and the nurturing of household arts and sciences. This fund, established through a legacy gift from her estate, embodies her legacy of compassion and care.
Grants for United Church of Canada incorporated ministries and communities of faith in the City of Toronto are available to assist with practical life skills development in the areas of:
- Food preparation
- Nutrition
- Sustainable food gardening
- Financial literacy
- Crafting and sewing programs
One grant of up to $5,000 is available per year. The application process is open from January 2nd to February 15th. Grant recipients will be announced in March/April.
Applications for 2026 are now closed. Applications for 2027 will be open between January 4th and February 28th, 2027.
The full criteria for qualifying projects and application requirements can be found HERE. Grant applications can be completed online.
Previous Grant Recipients
- 2026: Abiona Centre to run a financial literacy program with young mothers.
- 2025: Birchcliff Bluffs United Church to expand the production capacity of their community garden and Islington United Church’s Giving Garden to install indoor hydroponic gardening units, enabling year round production of fresh food.
- 2024: No grant was awarded.
- 2023: Kimbourne Park United Church to equip the Community Kitchen Food Program.
For more information contact Janice Meighan, Director of Fundraising and Donor Care, at janice@tucc.ca or (905) 771-5124 ex. 22.fo
The Leslie and Anna Davenport Fund
The Leslie and Anna Davenport Funds consist of both loans and grants. The Davenport Funds stand as a testament to the power of generosity and collective action in creating positive change in ministry and the broader community.
Established in January 1990 from a generous legacy gift, these funds were entrusted to the care and stewardship of The Toronto United Church Council (TUCC). The Fund supports ministry initiatives that respond to social challenges in the regions served by TUCC. We prioritize programs that approach community well-being with a holistic, long-term, and systemic lens, with preference given to innovative, community-rooted initiatives that move beyond immediate relief to foster lasting transformation.
Grants of up to $5,000 are available to ministries and communities of faith in the regional council areas TUCC serves. This is an open grant application process. Grants are only available for projects officially supported by the community of faith. Independent projects or personal initiatives, even if developed by individuals who work for a community of faith, are not eligible for funding. Grants are payable directly to the community of faith and not to individuals.
The full criteria for qualifying projects and application requirements can be found HERE. Grant applications can be completed online.
Previous Grant Recipients
- 2026: Virginia United for their water safety treatment and training project; and Wellington Square United for their Community Food Program.
- 2025: Hillcrest Lodge (housing for vulnerable seniors) in support of its transition from lease holder to property owner. Norwood United in support of East Central Ontario Regional Council’s Cultivating Excellence in Ministry Gathering. The UCC Korean Network in support of the network’s 2025 gathering. Trinity-St. Andrew’s United in support of The Witness Blanket project honouring residential school survivors (read the grant report here). “Here from the Beginning,” an exhibition showcasing the contributions and experiences of Black people within the United Church. The Tri-Regional Council’s Great Lakes Creation Collaborative Retreat.
- 2024: Ecumenical Campus Ministry, University of Guelph in support of its Student Mentorship and Leadership Program.
- 2023: Islington United and Trinity St. Paul’s United for mural projects by Indigenous artists.
- 2021-2022: Filipino Christian Fellowship for their newcomers’ program.
- 2019: Eastminister United for a kitchen program and renovation.
- 2018/2019: Great Lakes Water Walk.
- 2018: Gumboot Productions to complete the film “Finding Peter Bryce.”
- 2017: Le Ministère Protestante Francophone de Toronto.
- 1996 – 2012: Variety of community relief projects.
For more information contact Janice Meighan, Director of Fundraising and Donor Care, at janice@tucc.ca or (905) 771-5124 ex. 22
UCC Korean Network Gathering, Photo credit: SunDo Hyun
The Community Relief Fund
The Community Relief Fund, started by the Methodist Union in the late 1800’s, is TUCC’s oldest ongoing ministry. It provides small but impactful grants to support ministries responding to urgent needs within the regions the Toronto United Church Council (TUCC) serves. These grants enable communities of faith to offer immediate practical assistance to individuals and families in crisis through initiatives such as food access programs, emergency supports, or essential goods distribution. The fund is designed to help communities of faith stabilize community members experiencing hardship and ensure that no one faces crisis alone.
Grants of up to $5,000 are available to communities of faith in the regional council areas TUCC serves. This an open grant application process. Grants are only available for projects officially supported by the community of faith. Independent projects or personal initiatives, even if developed by individuals who work for a community of faith, are not eligible for funding. Grants are payable directly to the community of faith and not to individuals.
The full criteria for qualifying projects, and application requirements can be found HERE. Grant applications can be completed online.
Previous Grant Recipients
- 2025: North York Korean United Church (and collaborating congregations) for a monthly Care & Wellness Day to reduce food insecurity, social isolation, and barriers to health and settlement services in North York.
- 2024: Grace United, Tavistock for their “Food for Friends” pastoral care and outreach ministry. Read the grant report.
- 2023: Grace United Church, Dunnville for kitchen safety and food hospitality outreach
- 2023: Kimbourne Park United Church, Toronto for community kitchen food program
- 2017: Eastminister United Church, Toronto for assistance with accessibility for Out of the Cold program
- 2017: Lansing United Church, North York for the Nearly New Shop
- 2016: Birchcliff Bluffs United Church, Scarborough for their food bank and kitchen program
For more information contact Janice Meighan, Director of Fundraising and Donor Care, at janice@tucc.ca or (905) 771-5124 ex. 22.
Food for Friends, Grace United, Tavistock
The Four Winds Development Corporation Fund
The Four Winds Development Corporation Fund, established through the generous gift of the Four Winds Development Corporation, provides annual support for initiatives that advance Truth, Reconciliation, and Healing. Each year, TUCC will award one grant of up to $5,000 to a congregation or community of faith collaborating with an Indigenous group, artist, or creator, or on a meaningful ministry initiative that advances Indigenous and non-Indigenous relationships. This fund reflects TUCC’s ongoing commitment to nurturing partnerships and fostering understanding in alignment with the spirit of the original gift.
Beginning in 2026, the application process is open from September 30 to November 14. Grant recipients are announced in February/March, ensuring timely support for impactful projects that enrich the partnerships.
The full criteria for qualifying projects, and application requirements can be found HERE.