Grant and Funding Programs Offered by The May Court Club of St. Catharines

The May Court Club of St. Catharines is a long‑standing women’s service club based in the Niagara region of Ontario. Founded in 1935 as part of the Association of May Court Clubs of Canada, it combines volunteer service with local fundraising to support community organizations. The Club focuses its financial support on programs that primarily benefit women and children, with particular emphasis on mental health, health, nutrition and food security.

Each year, the Club organizes fundraising events and partnerships—such as galas, raffles and collaborations with gaming charities like Delta Bingo—to build a pool of funds dedicated to community grants. All money raised is redistributed annually to non-profit organizations across the Niagara region. Typical donations range from approximately $500 to $2,500 per project, allowing the Club to assist multiple initiatives each year.

Through its grants program, the May Court Club supports a wide variety of local projects that align with its mission. Priority is given to initiatives addressing mental health and nutrition concerns and serving women, children, families, at‑risk youth and people facing housing or food insecurity. Recent recipients include organizations providing counselling and trauma support, shelters and services for women and children, children’s treatment centres, school-based nutrition programs, arts and camp experiences, and community meal and outreach programs.

The Club publishes examples of funded partners and, in 2023, reports having distributed $33,850 to 21 non-profit organizations. Over its history, it has contributed funding to more than 170 causes, often maintaining support for certain programs over multiple years when local needs remain significant.

The grants process runs during the early months of each year. Interested non-profit organizations in the Niagara region are invited to review the Club’s published donation criteria and, if eligible, to complete an application form. Applications are typically due by the end of February for consideration in that year’s funding cycle.

All submissions received by the deadline are reviewed by a Club committee, which assesses their alignment with the Club’s mission and current funding priorities. Proposals are then examined in more detail, and recommendations are presented to the Club’s Board and membership. Final grant decisions are made by vote at a Club meeting, with approved donations disbursed to successful applicants before the end of May.

The May Court Club’s dual role as a volunteer network and grantmaker enables it to support both direct services and capacity-building in the local non-profit sector. Members contribute time through placements and projects in community organizations while also generating financial resources to sustain key programs. Over decades of activity, the Club has supported approximately 100 different organizations and more than 175 distinct causes, contributing to family nutrition, services for children with disabilities, supports for at‑risk and homeless youth, and a range of health and wellness initiatives across Niagara.