The PEI 2014 Fund will help residents, not-for-profit groups and communities in eastern PEI celebrate the history and heritage of the shipbuilding industry and lighthouses; stage an interprovincial sailing event; pay tribute to the various cultures in the area; and support many more exciting activities, says Tourism and Culture Minister, Robert Henderson.

“We are delighted with the momentum that’s developed as we have been unveiling these projects across the province,” said Minister Henderson. “The PEI 2014 Fund will allow Islanders and visitors to experience PEI’s rich cultural diversity.”

Members of the audience were entertained by well-known Island musicians Richard Wood and Gordon Belsher at a media event today, where PEI 2014 Inc. announced the PEI 2014 Fund medium and small grants recipients for eastern 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.

“As with the announcements in the other parts of the Island, the projects announced today truly reflect the unique local history, culture and spirit of eastern PEI,” said John Horrelt, PEI 2014 Community Advisory Committee Chair.

PEI 2014 Fund medium and small grant recipients for western PEI will be 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 eastern PEI