Local community festivals, theatres, arts and culture groups, youth organizations and many others will benefit from PEI 2014 Fund support in central PEI, says Tourism and Culture Minister, Robert Henderson.

"As we begin the roll out of the PEI 2014 Fund small and medium grant recipients, we feel the community spirit coming alive in anticipation of the province-wide celebration next year, “ said Minister Henderson. “Many of the projects will leave a lasting impact in communities from tip to tip.”

Members of the audience were entertained by local band Ten Strings and A Goat Skin, at a media event today where PEI 2014 Inc. announced the PEI 2014 Fund medium and small grants recipients for central PEI. Several grant recipients who have Island-wide initiatives were also announced. A video offering a preview of the projects the grants will support was also presented. The attached backgrounder provides the list of recipients and a description of the projects.

The PEI 2014 Fund offers three levels of funding: small grants up to $2,014: medium grants from $2,015 to $25,000; and large grants from $25,001 to $250,000. A total of 550 applications seeking $28 million in funding were submitted to PEI 2014 Inc. The successful applicants were determined by a three-step selection process that included an initial staff review; adjudication by the 15-member PEI 2014 Community Advisory Committee; and final decisions by the PEI 2014 Board of Directors, based on recommendations from the Community Advisory Committee.

"Community projects supported by the PEI 2014 Fund will fill the events calendar across the province from January to December 2014,” said John Horrelt, PEI 2014 Community Advisory Committee Chair. “Islanders have answered the call in spades to help shape the celebrations and make 2014 a truly Island-wide event.”

PEI 2014 Fund medium and small grant recipients for eastern PEI will be announced at the Murray Harbour Community Centre on June 19, while medium and small grant recipients from western PEI will announced at the Canadian Potato Museum in O’Leary on June 24. Other projects receiving PEI 2014 Fund large and medium-sized grants will be announced at a later date pending confirmation of funding contributions from the federal government or other partners.

In 2014, Canadians will mark the 150th anniversary (Sesquicentennial) of the historic 1864 Charlottetown Conference, which paved the way to Confederation. PEI 2014 Inc. is facilitating the planning, promotion and implementation of the Sesquicentennial celebrations. The PEI 2014 celebrations are made possible through generous support from the Government of Prince Edward Island and the Government of Canada. The year-long and province-wide PEI 2014 program of events will honour the past, celebrate the present and plan a bold tomorrow.

PEI 2014 Fund medium and small grant recipients/projects for central PEI