City of Brantford launches fall 2025 Community Changemaker Program with Wilfrid Laurier University

BRANTFORD, ON – The City of Brantford, in partnership with the Wilfrid Laurier University StartUp Lab Brantford, is excited to offer the fall 2025 Community Changemaker Program. Now in its ninth year, the Changemakers Program invites Brantford residents to develop and launch a program, service, or event that makes a positive impact in the community.

Brantford residents, aged 18 and over, who have an idea for a community impact project are encouraged to apply for this free seven-week program. Selected applicants will participate in weekly sessions led by an experienced professional in community development and innovation and learn how to further refine their project ideas. This includes building out full proposals, budgets, and presentations for funding opportunities.

“We are thrilled to once again be partnering with Wilfrid Laurier University’s StartUp Lab Brantford to offer the Community Changemaker Program,” said Laura Almeida, Administrative and Project Coordinator at the City of Brantford. “It is an exciting opportunity for residents to be able to receive hands-on support in developing a community-facing project from an initial idea all the way to implementation.”

Applications for the fall 2025 Changemakers Program launch on Wednesday, September 10, 2025 and will close Wednesday, October 1, 2025.Applicants are required to provide a brief overview of their proposed project, including an estimated budget. Proposals can be rough outlines, as the purpose of the Changemaker’s Program is to help residents refine their ideas and support their implementation. Each weekly session will take place at Wilfrid Laurier University Brantford campus on Wednesdays from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., starting October 8 to November 19, 2025. At the end of the program, each participant will have the opportunity to present their project to the City of Brantford for potential start-up funding. Up to $2,000 is available per project.

"The Community Changemakers program has grown tremendously over the years, and we’re thrilled to welcome a new wave of passionate participants and bold, community-driven ideas," said Julie Perkins, Program Lead at Laurier’s StartUp Lab Brantford. "This year, we're especially excited to open the experience to the broader Brantford community by inviting residents to listen, engage, and vote for the ideas that resonate most. Together, we can shape the future of our community."

To learn more and apply for the fall 2025 Community Changemaker Program, visit bit.ly/2025Changemakers.

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Media Contacts:

Kelly Page | Communications Advisor, Communications and Community Engagement

City of Brantford | 519-759-4150 ext. 5779 | kpage@brantford.ca

Beth Gurney | Director, Strategic Communications and Community Engagement, External Relations

Wilfrid Laurier University | 519-802-5447 | bgurney@wlu.ca