More jobs, thousands helped: WLU research boasts regional grassroots funding
Posted Sep 19, 2025 06:13:38 AM.
Last Updated Sep 19, 2025 01:51:02 PM.
It’s not only a great investment for a municipality, it’s also a way of boosting community support and creating more jobs.
That’s according to the latest research from Wilfrid Laurier University (WLU), looking into the Region of Waterloo’s upstream funding program.
The Community Capacity Building Fund and the Upstream Fund started back in 2022. Since then, the Region of Waterloo has invested $14 million into grassroots organizations.
In just the first year, $4.1 million was invested. Researchers found the investment was well worth it, with a $9.7 million economic impact at the end of the day.
“As demonstrated by our analysis, social return on investment, and the voices of participants, the upstream funding model is one to follow in the world of non-profit funding,” said lead researcher Dr. Ginette Lafrenière from the Social Innovation Research Group.
“Going forward, we hope it continues to be centered on community, rooted in trust, and supportive of equity-deserving communities.”
The economic impact from the fund includes 150 new jobs locally, 360 new volunteers recruited, and tens of thousands of people in Waterloo Region getting the help they need.
That includes food assistance and mental health support.
The latest groups receiving cash from the upstream funding program focus on land-based healing and education, trauma informed mental health and wellness programs, anti hate and restorative justice, and youth-led leadership.
